In this post we’re talking about the best online language courses for digital nomads.
As a digital nomad, you can set yourself up pretty much anywhere on Earth. The freedom afforded by this lifestyle is unparalleled, but let’s not pretend that living abroad is all plain-sailing. Being a foreigner isn’t always easy, and language barriers can be a problem when it comes to socializing or even just getting by in shops and restaurants, especially if you’re somebody who likes to travel off the beaten path to places where few people speak English.
But language classes are expensive, right? And learning a new language, from scratch, as an adult, is hard. Time can be a huge constraint, too, as for a digital nomad, time means money. You need to keep those dollars rolling in, and you don’t want to spend a huge chunk of your earnings on study.
Luckily, online language courses are becoming more and common. They’re cheaper than hiring a tutor or enrolling in a class, and many of them boast proven results. These online courses can usually be downloaded as an app on your smartphone, tablet or laptop, and consist of short lessons which are easy to fit around your schedule. The options available vary greatly in terms of pricing, content and delivery, so it’s important to find an option which is right for you.
The first thing you need to decide is what you want to get out of your online language course. Are you looking to develop a deep understanding of your chosen language, and intending to study long term in order to become fluent? Or do you simply need to brush up on key phrases to help you get by in a country you’re staying in short term?
It also helps to bear in mind your personal learning style. Some people respond well to academic-style study and enjoy reading, writing, and studying grammar. Others prefer an active approach and learn better from verbal practise or listening exercises. Whatever your learning style, budget and intention, there’s an online language course out there for you. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular:
Best Online Language Courses For Digital Nomads
1. iTalki
iTalki is a another platform which connects language students with online tutors offering lessons via video call. Each teacher has a personal profile where you can see their rating and how many lessons they’ve taught through iTalki. Lessons are conducted through Skype or Facetime, and can be arranged to suit your schedule.
A great feature of the iTalki site is that you can filter listings for qualified professional teachers, or informal language partners. This means that if you’re just looking for casual speaking practice, you can find a cheaper rate from a native speaker offering conversation rather than structured lessons.
Unlike Verbling, iTalki doesn’t offer free trials, but you do have the option of booking a 30 minute trial session at half rate. Using iTalki also gives you access to forums both for discussing language learning and the wider issues in the world, so it’s convenient for connecting with other learners informally.
Pricing on iTalki is pretty similar to that of Verbling. Lessons start at around $4 per hour and prices rise in line with teachers’ experience and qualifications to around $80.
Get $10 credit on iTalki here.
2. Memrise
Memrise is another budget option, but where Babbel is for those who really want to study a language, Memrise is better suited to somebody who wants to quickly learn key phrases without getting too bogged down in grammar. It makes language learning into a game, so it’s great if you’re an active learner who finds academic study difficult to engage with.
The spelling games and video content of Memrise test your speed, memory and accuracy as you learn new vocabulary. The courses feature video clips of real native speakers, getting you used to understanding accents and natural ways of speaking, rather than the more robot-like voiceovers of other apps.
This is a great option if you’re staying in a country temporarily, and want to quickly pick up some basic language in order to get by in everyday life. Its low prices and flexible subscription options suit this style of use, too.
Memrise charges $9 for one months’ access, and a discounted price if you subscribe for a year. You also have the option of making a $130 one-off payment which grants you lifetime access to the courses.
3. Pimsleur
If you have a more generous budget to invest in your language learning, you might want to consider Pimsleur. This option steps things up a notch in terms of price, but offers courses scientifically developed to guarantee success, and has over 25 million customers across the world.
Pimsleur courses are founded upon the research of Dr Paul Pimsleur and the language learning system he developed. The Pimsleur Method® (yes, it’s trademarked) uses a ‘scientifically proven set of principles designed to take a learner directly to the heart of the language.’ The theory behind this approach is pretty in-depth so if you’re intrigued, you can read more about it here.
Another main selling point of Pimsleur is that its content is mostly audio-based, meaning you can follow each lesson (around 30 minutes long) completely hands-free. You can be learning whilst you shower, cook dinner, travel a new destination —the options are endless, and you don’t need to set aside time to sit down and study.
As the Pimsleur approach is modelled on the way a child assimilates their native language, this course is ideal for beginners. Its pricing is structured differently to Babbel and Memrise in that you pay for a set amount of content, rather than a timed subscription. You can pay for one level or an entire course, with prices starting from $21.95. There’s a huge range of languages to choose from (over 50!) and you can even take a free trial today to see if it’s the right option for you.
4. Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages is a highly rated and award-winning language study platform which uses the ‘actual success strategies that polygots (people who speak 5 or more languages) use’ which, they say, ‘practically guarantees your success.’
These courses involve audio-based lessons and use voice recognition technology, pushing users to practice and perfect their pronunciation. This encouragement to speak out loud eliminates the ‘I understand but can’t reply’ stage of language learning by encouraging you to speak from the start.
If you take a pragmatic approach to study, you’ll really enjoy Rocket Languages’ articles on advanced learning techniques, which aim to help you maximise the efficiency of your study. You’ll also learn a lot about culture as you go along, which is especially useful if, as a digital nomad, you’re living or travelling in the country of the language you’re learning.
Rocket Languages offer a free trial (select your language for more information), then prices range from $99.95 to around the $500 mark, with discounts and promotions often available. For an overview of the pricing and packages available, click here.
5. Verbling
Verbling takes a different approach to most online language courses in that it involves learning from an actual human teacher. So if you want the personalised approach of a real live tutor but without the cost and inconvenience, this is a great option.
One of the main benefits of this approach is that it gives you real conversation experience which is, of course, a very different experience to repeating set vocabulary to a robot! This is ideal if conversation is your focus and you want to learn to speak straight away. What’s more, as you can discuss your needs and goals with your tutor, Verbling offers a personalised and flexible approach.
On the Verbling website you can browse a selection of over 7500 teachers in over 50 languages. Each has their own personal profile complete with photograph, pricing structure, availability and information about themselves, so you can choose somebody who seems right for you.
Verbling lessons are conducted through the video call function on the Verbling app, and you can also join forums to connect with other language learners. Free trials are available for you to try it out, then you can book future lessons either individually or as a package. Prices vary from as low as $4 per hour right up to $60, depending on teachers’ experience and qualifications.
6. Babbel
Babbel is a popular and well-known online language course. You can download the app onto your smartphone or tablet, or access content through the web browser on your computer. If you’re using the app, you have the option of downloading your lessons for access offline, which is perfect if you’re traveling or have a limited data plan.
With Babbel you have the option of following set courses structured in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or choosing from themed modules to meet your personal needs. The courses provide clear explanations of grammatical rules, with a variety of writing, listening and speaking exercises.
There are also modules on pronunciation, and an optional voice recognition facility. Another great function is the review manager, which uses structured repetition to ensure you don’t forget what you’ve learned in earlier modules as you progress.
Babbel is great value for money, even if you’re on a tight budget. You can opt to pay monthly at around $13 per month, or subscribe for 3, 6, or 12 months at an increasing discount. There’s no limit on the amount of content you can access during your subscription, which is great if you intend to use it a lot.
You can take your first Babbel lesson for free with no commitment to subscribe. If you like it, you can see the prices for subscription here – we have a 40% off link.
7. Coursera
Coursera is another slightly different option because, unlike the others, it’s not specifically a language-learning platform. Instead, Coursera is a website offering access to courses in a huge range of disciplines, offered online by universities and educational organisations around the world. On Coursera you can study anything from Human Rights Law to Mechanical Engineering, with many courses completely free unless you want to pay for a certificate to prove you took them.
With the courses being offered by different institutions the format, length and intensity can vary quite a lot, but most language courses include video content, reading exercises, and tests to complete. If you are willing to pay for the certificate, there’s arguable benefit in gaining credentials from recognised educational bodies as this can look impressive on your résumé.
Through Coursera you can also access forums which connect you with other learners around the world. This could even help you to find a language practice partner for free, as there’s a ‘study buddy‘ section aimed at connecting students.
Certifications earned through Coursera start at around $40, but they also offer a financial aid program which allows you to apply for funding if you can’t afford your chosen course. Overall, Coursera is a great choice if you’re somebody who enjoys an academic approach to learning and has the time to study more conventionally.
8. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is a longstanding giant in the online language learning industry. Named after a famous artefact which was key in helping linguistic experts to decode Egyptian hieroglyphs, it takes an immersive approach to language learning, ‘without any translations.’
The scale and success of Rosetta Stone is reflected in its corporate popularity; it offers subscriptions for business and educational institutions, but it’s also great for individual learners too. It offers some pretty niche courses which you might not find on other platforms, like Filipino and Farsi, so it’s worth checking out if you’re learning a less commonly studied language.
The interactive language activities of Rosetta Stone courses use ‘patented speech recognition engine TruAccent®’ and some modules even include sessions with real tutors, meaning it guarantees to get you speaking your new language from the beginning. You can get 3 days free access to your chosen course to see if the Rosetta Stone method is right for you. Course prices start at $179 and the content can be accessed offline, which is ideal if you’re travelling or don’t have a reliable connection.
Overview
Each of these online language course have different merits and you’re bound to find that one of them suits your budget and learning style. Almost all of them offer free trials so take advantage of these to help you make your decision (and get some free study time in). All that’s left to do now is choose one, get studying, and you’ll be speaking your new second language in no time!
