When looking to learn a new language, many people wonder about language software versus a private language tutor.In this post, we'll take you through five different language software programs and discuss the pros and cons of each. Then we'll discuss the pros and cons of a private language tutor. In the end, you should be able to decide on the right language-learning route for you.

For language software, we are going to discuss the pros and cons of: Clozemaster, Duolingo, Hi Native, Flipword, LingQ, Mosalingua, and Rosetta Stone.
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1. CLOZEMASTER

Clozemaster is a game which you can play as an app or on a website to study new languages.

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‍Pros:

• Wide number of languages
• You can learn your new language via a language where you are intermediate or advanced. Richard Simcott calls this ‘laddering’.
• Free and small fee for pro version
• Lots of different sentences
• Use of audio
• Spaced repetition method
• Context for building vocabulary
• It’s set up to feel like your playing a game.
• Support is very good
• Great for intermediate learners.‍

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Cons:

• For languages with less demand, there are not as many sentences offered.
• You need to translate into another language.
• Not appropriate for absolute beginners. At a minimum you should be an advanced beginner before you get going with Clozemaster.
• The developers don’t necessarily speak the language of the content they are creating.
• In the ‘fill in the blank’ category, you might be told to choose random irrelevant proper nouns that don’t help your language learning goals.

Conclusion: A great addition to your language-learning arsenal, especial if the language pair you're looking for is available.
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2. DUOLINGO

Duolingo is an application that you can have on your smart phone and tablet. You can also access it via computer browser.

‍Pros:

• Free
• Easy to use
• Lots of material for beginners
• Discussion streams can get you to engage in conversations online about the language you are learning.
• Some languages are available from more than one source language. For example if you are an intermediate or advanced speaker of Chinese, you can use it to study French and Spanish.
• Wide range of languages available

Cons:

• Once you reach intermediate level, you’ll need to move on to something else.
• Uses translation to teach your new language.
• Lack of contact with a native speaker
• Not available in some languages.
• Some of the content is not practical, such as “My hovercraft is full of eels”
• Robotic audio voice rather than native speaker

Conclusion: A few people I’ve talked to have used Duolingo as their only source to learn a language and they are happy with the results. Personally I see Duolingo as more of a supplement to keep me busy with my new language for a few minutes a day. After a couple of months of studying a language with Duolingo, I'm ready for something more challenging.
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3. HI NATIVE

Hi Native is an application that you can have on your smart phone and tablet. You can also access it on computer browser.

‍Pros:

• Free
• Ask questions and get advice about language, culture, and places.
• You get to help other people learn your language(s).
• You can browse common questions about the language you are learning.

Cons:

• You have to pay to access audio.
• There is a chance that your question will not be answered unless you are a premium member.
• It’s not set up for private conversations.
• Sometimes the person on the end doesn’t answer your message.
• Chinese is not available.

Conclusion: HiNative is useful supplement to language learning, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced. Anytime you have a questions about a language you’re learning, you can use the app or website to seek an answer from a native speaker. You can also build up reputation in your languages by helping others improve in your languages.
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4. FLIPWORD

Flipword began as an extension to Chrome browser and is expanding to mobile devices. Flipword’s goal is to help you learn your new language while you browse the web doing things you do everyday, reading things you normally read. The idea is to keep you in contact with your new language, so you don’t have to open the app.

‍Pros:

• Free
• Allows you to practice your target language while you use Facebook, read blogs, and browse websites.
• Has its own dictionaries (doesn’t rely on Google Translate) and allows you to report context errors.
• Relevant vocabulary, because you learn from content you use everyday.
• Good for any level from beginner to advanced
• You can adjust the settings to increase the amount of vocabulary
• You can pause it or choose not to use if for certain websites.

Cons:

• Still fairly new, only available in a few languages.
• If you're studying two languages, it’s hard to switch from one language to another without clearing out all your learning data. So if you’re learning two languages, you might consider using two different computers or devices and having two separate accounts.

Conclusion: Flipword is a helpful supplement to your language-learning methods. It provides a point where you reach your ‘daily goal’, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine while you browse the web. It’s great for any level of language learner. I’ve known advanced Chinese learners who use it to study another language from Chinese as the source language.
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5. LINGQ

LingQ is a mobile app and website that helps you learn new languages while listening and reading to the language simultaneously.

‍Pros:

• Helpful at all levels, beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
• Lots of audio and some video. It allows you to read and listen to the language at the same time.
• Large variety of accents available.
• Many of the languages have an abundance of content.
• Allows you to download your own tailor-made content, so you can learn content and vocabulary that is relevant to you.
• There is a free version. Premium membership has a reasonable subscription fee. It offers a lot of material for barely more than the price of Clozemaster.
• Easy to review vocabulary and phrases.
• You can schedule tutoring sessions from LingQ.

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Cons:

• Not available in some languages.
• Not as helpful to learn grammar.
• Relies on Google translation technology, but you can choose to translate into any language available on Google translate.

Conclusions: Great value for money, especially if you are learning more than one language. Even if your language is only offered in beta, you can add new content and make it easier to read articles in your new language. Good value for language learners at all levels. Supplement LingQ with a basic grammar book to compensate for the missing grammatical explanations.
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6. MOSALINGUA

Mosalingua is an app you can use on your mobile device.

‍Pros:

• Spaced repetition method
• You can study one language via another.
• Good for helping you learn new words within sentences and contexts.
• You can choose your level and area of language focus, for example: business, travel, etc.
• Small one-time lifetime fee for each language you learn.
• A level assessment helps place you at the right level for you.
• Helpful content
• Self assessment let’s you ramp up your learning or spend time for review

Cons:

• Only available in major languages
• Doesn’t help your speaking skills
• Conclusion: A helpful supplement for your language-learning goals.

7. ROSETTA STONE

Rosetta Stone is a combination of application as well as a website platform. It also allows users to schedule tutoring sessions.

‍Pros:

• Website platform includes games.
• No need to translate into another language.
• Focus on all four aspects:  reading, writing, listening, speaking.
• The philosophy is to teach you without translating, using context.
• Opportunity to speak with native speakers during tutorial sessions.

Cons:

• Expensive. Don't buy it unless you join on one of the specials, or a company is footing the bill.
• The courses with a live tutor are only 25 minutes long and can include up to four people (you can book individual sessions as well.)
• The live tutor sessions generally do not break away from the set lesson structures, so you cannot reach an advanced level.
• Some languages only have three levels, whereas others have five.
• Limited number of languages. Mostly only available in ‘big’ languages.
• Subject material is not based on any specific culture.
• Dry material and not very exciting.

Conclusion: Helpful for beginners who are motivated learners. Once you reach intermediate level, you will need to look elsewhere to improve. The teachers are that helpful at moving you beyond intermediate level.

Private language tutor

So how does a private language tutor compare with all these different apps and online platforms?

‍Pros:

• You can tailor your vocabulary and phrases to your learning needs.
• Your teacher can help you with grammar and syntax.
• Your teacher can help you improve your pronunciation.
• Can be online or face to face. Online learning can cost a lot less, depending on where your tutor is based.
• You can progress at your own pace that is right for you.
• Get individual attention
• Do your homework and only focus on the trouble areas.

Cons:

• Face to face private language learning can be expensive.
• The quality of material depends on you and your teacher.

Conclusion: Go for a private teacher when you can afford to, especially if you have a high motivation level and a great need to learn the language. Plan you budget and set milestones for what you want to accomplish with your language learning to make the most of your money and time. Consider using material such as the upcoming Fluent Forever app to tailor your learning to what is relevant to you and to learn how to discover the intricacies of your new language from one simple sentence or concept. In addition, since you’re the one paying, make sure you direct your private language teacher to cover content and concepts that are interesting and relevant to you.