It’s not often that adults have the time and inclination to learn new languages. But if you travel frequently for work, oversee international offices, or finally have the vacation time saved up for that sabbatical you’ve always dreamed of, you may be looking for a quick and easy way to learn useful phrases in another dialect. Or perhaps you want to get your kids started with learning new languages in order to expand their education. While you can certainly look into classes or purchase a copy of Rosetta Stone (or other language software), these options can be both expensive and time consuming. Luckily, the wide world of apps offers solutions for everyone. And here are just a few options for the iPad that will have you speaking in tongues in no time. Play2Learn . This gaming app covers multiple languages (at $1.99 each) and is intended for children ages 3 to 12. But that doesn’t mean adults just beginning to learn another language can’t benefit from starting at the beginning, and it doesn’t get much easier than this call and repeat game. You simply tap objects in the game to hear the name read aloud (it even provides for variations within a language, like Latin American Spanish or Castellano). Then you begin to play by tapping whatever objects the voice commands ask for. This platform offers a simple introduction to new languages that kids and adults alike can follow. Hello-Hello Spanish . For $14.99 you’ll get 30 conversational lessons and a whole lot more. This app was made in collaboration with The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), so it complies with professional guidelines for language-learning tools. And the result is mobile software that will help you to learn vocabulary, sentence structure, and the basics of communicating in Spanish. Plus, you’ll benefit from handy features like flashcards and the ability to take and save notes for later reference. And you can even download the free supplemental app, Hello-Hello World, to learn phrases in other languages and connect to native speakers. Word Lens . Does it ever strike you as odd that some of the most fantastic apps are free? This one is no exception. This app seamlessly translates between English and two other languages (French and Spanish) and all you have to do is use your iPad camera to snap pics of printed words for instant translation (although you can also type them in). Sounds easy? It is! And anything you need translated on the go (street signs, menus, etc.) is fair game. Google Translate . Yet another freebie, this handy app puts no less than 63 languages at your disposal (although only some have options for spoken word, while the others require written text for translations). And while you can definitely use the app for your own education, you can also use it to communicate via text with friends that speak other languages. Skype . Nothing helps you to learn a language faster than jumping into the deep end with full immersion. And this free app is definitely the way to go, with options for chatting, calling, or video conferencing around the globe for free (via Wi-Fi network). This is a must-have for any serious language learner. Evan Fischer is a contributing writer for
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