There is no doubt that Cantonese is one of the hardest languages to learn. In fact, some call it the hardest language in the world. The funny thing about Chinese is that when you are born into a “Cantonese-speaking” family, you learn it just like any other child would. However, for us non-native speakers, we have to put in a little more effort. So what does being able to speak Cantonese mean for you? Well, according to statistics from Ethnologue, there are around 61 million native Cantonese speakers around the world and an additional 13 million who are using it as their second language.
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Best Apps For Learning Cantonese
- Ling App
An App For Over-All Development Of Language Skills
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Ling App
Ling App is a language learning app developed by Simya Solutions where you can learn 60 languages in just one subscription, and Cantonese is one of them. What makes its millions of users fall in love with this app are the key features developed by real language experts.
First, it has a nice interface and is very easy to navigate, which is one of the qualities that a language app should have. Ling uses smart flashcards with a built-in spaced-repetition system for language activities. Users dig the apps that are easy to use and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. It also allows self-directed learning wherein you can choose the topic you want to learn. Well, that’s how learning should start – you must be interested in what you are learning.
Next, it has in-depth listening and writing activities. Developing these language skills is very important for a complicated and tonal language like Cantonese. Ling App has fun and interactive listening and writing exercises that make you feel like you’re just playing a game. It caters to all the essential language skills: reading and listening, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Third, Ling App has a high-quality of lessons. Some apps will make you learn random words and phrases which you can’t use in a certain situation. With Ling App, the vocabularies you will learn are essential words and phrases that are practical that can be used in different situations and social contexts. If you want to learn more about Cantonese and the culture of Hong Kong, you may check out the Cantonese blog posts.
Also, the flow of the lessons is pretty much like how we learn in school but in a more interactive way. You’ll start by building vocabulary, then use it in meaningful sentences, learn how it’s pronounced then, followed by short exercises and mini-quizzes to test what you have learned. The learning activities range from multiple-choice, sorting sentences, and dialogues. As a language teacher myself, this is an A!
- Simply Learn Cantonese
An App For Affordable Travel Phrasebook Cantonese App
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Simply Learn Cantonese
Simply Learn Cantonese is another language app developed by Simya Solutions that can be used to learn Cantonese. It is also one of the language apps recommended by many users in learning Cantonese because it is pretty affordable and effective. Though the free app may be distracted by ads, you can disable them by subscribing to a paid plan.
In Simply Learn Cantonese, you’ll learn Cantonese using a travel phrasebook with 10,000+ essential and relevant vocabulary. Every word and phrase has high-quality audio recorded by real native speakers. You can also make learning more challenging and varied by using their pre-made cards to answer their tests and quizzes. It also has a built-in spaced repetition system to help transfer what you have learned from short-term to long-term memory, so if you love to travel and want to learn some essential phrases.
- Pimsleur
An App For Conversational Cantonese
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Pimsleur
The next app that is part of the best apps for learning Cantonese is Pimsleur. The greatest goal of every language learner is to use what they have learned in conversations. So, if you want an app that will develop your conversational and speaking skills, this app is one to consider. Pimsleur Cantonese is an audio course made up of bite-sized 30-minute lessons.
So, how do Pimsleur works? Cantonese phrases are taught word by word and syllable by syllable in each class. Then, just like in a genuine discussion, you’ll be expected to respond and ask questions on the spot.
From this, you’ll learn how to speak Cantonese as soon as you start because you have been immersed in the Cantonese language since day one. Since it’s an audio course, do not expect it to develop your other language skills like reading or writing deeply. You might learn grammar along the way but not too in-depth. If you want to learn more about Pimsleur, you can check the Pimsleur review or use the app itself.
- Drops
An App For Learning The Cantonese Vocabulary
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Drops
Drops is an app known for its superb visuals and gamified approach to learning Cantonese. It has an excellent animation that encourages users to learn. But, aside from having amazing visuals and animations, it stands out because it focuses on teaching learners new words and phrases. It helps learners remember new words, review vocabulary over time, and transfer it to their long-term memory. Since this is more of a vocabulary-building app, you can’t expect it to teach Cantonese grammar.
There’s also a blog review about Drops that you can read to know more.
- Glossika
An App For Learning Cantonese In Context
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Glossika
For a more straightforward approach to learning and developing your Cantonese speaking and listening skills, Glossika is an app that you should try. In Glossika, there are no actual lessons to learn because it focuses on repeating words, phrases, and sentences pronounced by a native speaker. You need to listen to and mimick the sound aloud, and upon doing this over and over again, you’ll learn the vocabulary, grammar, and speaking rhythms. - CantoneseClass101
An App For Improving Comprehension
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – CantoneseClass101
CantoneseClass101 is one of the language apps with the most updated Cantonese lessons. Each week, there’s a new and fresh lesson to learn which is timely and relevant to their culture.
With CantoneseClass101, you can learn Cantonese through a thousand lessons available in a podcast form. These lessons are designed like an actual conversation of two Cantonese speakers that typically occurs in real-life daily conversations. CantoneseClass101 will help you improve the Cantonese language skills that eventually help you reach fluency.
Aside from lessons, you can also access their dictionary where you can simply search for the word you are looking for, but the vocabulary you can find in the dictionary are those who have been part of the lessons. You can also watch a video on their Youtube channel if you are more of a visual learner.
- Italki
A Marketplace For Finding A Cantonese Teacher or Tutor
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Italki
Study tools and technology can aid learning, but they can never replace teachers in the teaching and learning process. With Italki, you can find a teacher or tutor that will help you learn a new language like Cantonese. If you’re a teacher, this is also an app that can help you teach Cantonese. Basically, Italki is a marketplace for finding a teacher or tutor that suits your need and learning style.
You should know that there are two types of teachers that you can find in Italki, Professional Teachers, those who have degrees and teaching certificates, and Community Tutors, those who are native speakers or near-native speakers. The rates of the teacher vary based on different factors like the type of teacher and the proficiency level of the tutor in Cantonese.
What’s nice about Italki is that it offers three free 30-minute trial lessons with teachers. You can also check the reviews from their students or watch a short introduction video that they provide to learn more about them. Once you find a Cantonese teacher or tutor, you can already book a lesson and pay according to their rates. The lessons are usually 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. You can be flexible as you want just to communicate with the teacher.
Aside from being one of the largest marketplaces in finding a language teacher, Italki also has a huge community where you can post and interact using the language you are learning and let the native speakers comment, discuss, or correct it. It is a good way to practice your knowledge in Cantonese.
If you need more than this description, you can read the Italki review.
- Skritter
An App For Learning Cantonese Writing System
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Skritter
Cantonese uses a complicated writing system because it uses traditional characters, unlike Mandarin, simplified characters. So, to develop your writing skills, such as stroke order, Skritter is one of the best apps to use. You can also develop writing style corrections to character decompositions and tone practice which are significant in learning Chinese. - Mango Languages
An App For Beginners
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Mango Languages
If you’re a total beginner in learning Cantonese, the Mango Languages is an app to consider. This app will guide you to a series of chapters of guided courses that build your communication skills from zero in a logical way. Each chapter has conversational goals and grammar goals which are important factors in learning a new language like Cantonese. It also uses your prior knowledge to help you review and learn new material simultaneously. If you need more information, you can read the Mango Languages review. - Gus On The Go
An App For Kids
Best Apps In Learning Cantonese – Gus On The Go
If you want a child to learn Cantonese, start at the earliest stage possible. During their formation years, a child’s brain is more open to acquiring new languages. Gus On The Go has engaging and interactive games and activities to learn vocabulary. It also helps children master Cantonese pronunciation by mimicking the sounds recorded by a native speaker. With this, children will be able to develop basic language skills slowly.
Best free app to learn cantonese
Why Use An App To Learn Cantonese?
Using an app to learn Cantonese can help you learn the language more quickly and more effectively. Instead of following a more traditional course, language app offer the flexibility to focus on what you actually want to learn. If you need to practice a specific skill, like writing, you can use an app that exclusively helps you improve writing (like Skritter). Apps also have new content added periodically, whereas a textbook will always have the same, sometimes outdated, content. Apps are also convenient and you can take them with you wherever you go!
Final Thoughts
The apps on this list will help you learn Cantonese efficiently from your own home. Learning a language like Cantonese can be difficult if you’re studying on your own. There are a lot of difficult aspects, from the tones you need to master for speaking to the characters you need to learn for writing. Each of these apps can help you improve all of your communication skills. With consistent practice, you’ll be able to talk with native Cantonese speakers effortlessly!
Cantonese Learning Apps FAQ
What is the best Cantonese learning app?
The best app for learning Cantonese is Pimsleur. The app gets you speaking Cantonese in your very first lesson, and it teaches you the most important vocabulary and grammar. It’s also one of the most convenient apps to use because its course is all audio. You can study with Pimsleur in your car, at home, or even in the gym!
Does Babbel teach Cantonese?
Unfortunately, Babbel does not teach Cantonese. There are a lot of other popular apps that do teach it though. The best apps to learn Cantonese are Pimsleur, Drops, italki, and CantoneseClass101.
Can I learn Cantonese on Duolingo?
As of December 2021, Duolingo offers a Cantonese course. However, Duolingo’s lessons are not very high-quality and don’t teach you to speak naturally. If you’re a complete beginner, the best Cantonese course to take is Mango Languages. Once you know enough characters, you can practice with a free app like Clozemaster.
Why is Cantonese so hard to learn?
Cantonese is an extremely difficult language for English speakers to learn because it’s a tonal language and uses traditional Chinese characters in its writing. Both of these aspects are completely different from the English language. English doesn’t use tones to portray different meanings. You also can’t sound out words phonetically in Cantonese because each character has its own definition.
How can I learn Cantonese quickly?
To learn Cantonese quickly, you should use a combination of different language learning apps. For speaking, Pimsleur is the best app. To learn characters and writing, you can use an app like Drops or Skritter. Studying consistently with apps like these will help you learn the Cantonese language more efficiently than traditional study methods.
Conclusion
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