Why Apps To Learn English Forget Real Progress & Focus On Entertainment

Bryce Purnell
9 min readOct 12, 2023

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I suppose I am little bias. But after four, nearly five years of working in this sphere and now with two English applications, I should give my opinion. The truth is that apps to learn English more often than not fail to deliver on their promises.

Many students are disappointed after trying out multiple apps that are all about gamified learning, keeping users entertained rather than addressing real progress.

FYI — We have two apps on the app stores at the moment. The student application and the manager or parent monitoring application. There is a 33,000-strong academic curriculum aligned with CEFR for reading, writing, speaking, and listening levels A1 to C2 in our student application.

But our teachers also have direct contact with students via messaging through the application to provide support when needed. Students’ mistakes and areas where they need help can be seen by us and we can provide direct feedback on all problematic areas.

image of Learn Laugh Speak Application with a student recieving a messaging from the teacher
A Student Inbox From Learn Laugh Speak www.learnlaughspeak.com

To help students learn English, it is important to provide them with support and track their progress in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, testing from A1 to C2.

Without such support, students will not be able to move forward and make real progress.

At Learn Laugh Speak, we believe that English apps should focus more on practical exercises rather than just entertainment.

The Rise & Demise of Apps To Learn English

English learning apps have witnessed a rise in popularity over the years, captivating users with their engaging and interactive approach to language learning. However, despite their initial success, many of these apps have failed to deliver on their promises and meet the needs of language learners.

The rise of apps to learn English can be attributed to their ability to gamify the learning experience. By turning language learning into a fun and entertaining game, these apps have attracted a huge user base. Users are motivated by the rewards, badges, and leaderboards that come with their achievements in the app.

Unfortunately, this focus on gamification has led to a demise in the effectiveness of these apps. While they may keep users entertained, they often fall short when it comes to addressing real progress in learning English. Instead of providing meaningful exercises and activities that promote language proficiency, many apps prioritize entertainment over actual language mastery.

This lack of progress is particularly evident in the limited focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Many English learning apps offer bite-sized lessons and single-word learning, neglecting the depth and complexity required for true language development. As a result, learners may find themselves unable to apply their language skills in real-life situations or understand more complex texts.

To truly address the needs of language learners, apps to learn English need to shift their focus from pure entertainment to providing support and tracking progress. This includes offering comprehensive exercises, feedback, and testing that align with language proficiency standards set by the CEFR. By doing so, these apps can become valuable tools for students in their language learning journey.

image showing the menu and then class of the student application Learn Laugh Speak
Journey From Menu to Selection to Class. www.learnlaughspeak.com

The Problem of Gamification In Apps To Learn English

Gamified learning in apps to learn English may seem engaging and fun, but it often falls short in addressing the real progress that students need. These apps focus more on keeping users entertained rather than identifying and addressing their specific learning needs. This approach fails to highlight areas where students need improvement and prevents them from making meaningful progress.

At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand the importance of addressing these problem areas. When students fail tests in our English learning app, one of our native English teachers personally reaches out to them with specific feedback and suggestions for improvement. This direct interaction allows students to understand their mistakes and gives them the opportunity to retry the test with a better score.

By providing this support and personalized guidance, we help students focus on the areas where they need the most help, ensuring that they make real progress in their language learning journey. With our approach, we provide certificates for levels A1 to C2 according to the CEFR framework, giving students the recognition they deserve for their achievements.

33,000 lessons — 12 levels — Reading — Writing — Speaking — Listening

Why Students Need Support to Progress

An app alone is often not enough for students to make significant progress in learning English. While there are some self-learners who thrive on solving problems independently, the majority of learners require support and a network of teachers to keep them motivated and moving forward. At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand the importance of providing ongoing support to our students.

When students at Learn Laugh Speak encounter difficulties or fail tests in reading, writing, speaking, or listening, they can reach out to one of our native English teachers within the app for personalized help.

We believe that this direct interaction with a teacher is crucial for students to understand their mistakes and receive specific feedback and suggestions for improvement.

By providing this support and guidance, we ensure that our students can focus on the areas where they need the most help. This personalized approach not only helps them overcome their challenges but also keeps them motivated and engaged in their language learning journey.

With our constant communication and support, students using the Learn Laugh Speak app can make consistent progress and achieve their language learning goals.

Our teachers are committed to helping students every step of the way, ensuring that they receive the guidance they need to succeed.

So, if you are frustrated with apps that fail to provide the support you need, consider joining Learn Laugh Speak and experience the difference that personalized support can make in your language learning journey.

Testing for levels A1 to C2 with support from native English teachers.

Lack of Negative Feedback & Correct Testing With Apps To Learn English

With the rise of gamified language learning apps, such as Duolingo and Elsa Speak, there has been a noticeable lack of negative feedback and comprehensive testing.

These apps prioritize entertainment and engagement, often neglecting to inform users of their mistakes or areas in need of improvement. While this may keep users entertained and coming back for more, it ultimately hinders their progress and ability to truly learn English.

One of the main reasons for this lack of negative feedback is the desire to keep users within the app. By not pointing out mistakes or areas for improvement, these apps maintain a positive and encouraging environment, where users are constantly rewarded for their achievements.

However, this approach fails to address the reality of language learning, which requires the identification and correction of errors.

Additionally, the limited testing within these apps prevents users from accurately assessing their language proficiency. Most language learning apps offer their own certificates or achievements, which may hold value within the app itself but are not recognized by official language certification organizations.

This means that users may be misled into thinking they have reached a certain level of proficiency, when in reality, they may still have significant areas of weakness.

To truly make progress in learning English, it is important to receive accurate and comprehensive feedback on your mistakes and areas for improvement. This can only be achieved through rigorous testing and evaluation.

While gamified language learning apps can be a useful tool, they should not be relied upon as the sole means of language learning. It is crucial to supplement app-based learning with other resources and opportunities for testing, such as language classes or official language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

By acknowledging and addressing the lack of negative feedback and testing in language apps, students can take a more proactive approach to their language learning journey. This includes seeking out alternative resources and opportunities for evaluation, and recognizing that true progress requires a comprehensive understanding of both strengths and weaknesses.

Importance of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening Skills

It goes without saying that in order to truly improve their English skills, students need to focus on developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities. While an App to Learn English may be engaging and help with certain aspects of language learning, it is crucial to recognize the importance of a well-rounded approach.

Improving one’s speaking skills alone will only get you so far. It is essential to also work on reading and writing in English to gain a deeper understanding of the language’s structure, vocabulary, and grammar. Additionally, strong listening skills are crucial for effective communication and understanding in real-life situations.

By honing all four language skills, students can achieve a higher level of fluency and proficiency. This is why the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) sets standards and guidelines for language learners, ensuring that they have a well-rounded skillset and can meet international standards.

So, while an apps to Learn English can be a valuable tool in your language learning journey, it should not be relied upon as the sole means of improvement.

By focusing on developing all four skills through a variety of methods, such as reading books, writing essays, engaging in conversation, and actively listening to native speakers, students can achieve a more comprehensive and well-rounded mastery of the English language.

The Danger of Relying Solely on Apps To Learn English

If you focus solely on learning through a speaking app, like the many available out there, you might be disappointed with your progress. While these apps may seem convenient and cheaper, they often fail to provide the necessary support for real language learning. Sure, they may be a fun way to pass the time, but if you’re serious about improving your English, you need more than just a game on your phone.

At Learn Laugh Speak, we understand the importance of comprehensive language learning. That’s why our app Learn Laugh Speak offers 12 levels, from A1 to C2, fully aligned with the CEFR standards. We provide all the support you need, with personalized feedback from our native English teachers. This ensures that you not only learn English but also make real progress in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

By relying solely on language learning apps, you risk missing out on valuable opportunities for growth and improvement. With our app, you can have the best of both worlds — the convenience and accessibility of an app, coupled with the support and guidance of experienced teachers. So don’t limit yourself to just an app. Join Learn Laugh Speak and unlock the full potential of your language learning journey.

How Learn Laugh Speak Helps Students With Support And Our App

Learn Laugh Speak is the ultimate solution for students seeking support and progress in their English learning journey. With 33,000 full lessons covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening, our application is the only one in the world aligned with all aspects of the CEFR for levels A1 to C2.

What sets us apart is our dedication to providing support and guidance to our students. Our native English teachers are available to offer personalized feedback and suggestions for improvement. We believe that this direct interaction is crucial for students to understand their mistakes and make real progress.

In addition to our comprehensive lessons and personalized support, our innovative software provides instant corrections, ensuring that students learn from their mistakes and improve their language skills.

We also offer homework tailored to each student’s current progress, further enhancing their learning experience.

With our application, students can confidently progress through their levels, completing tests and earning internationally recognized certificates.

Learn Laugh Speak is the most correct and easiest way for students to make progress in learning English, all while doing it in a smart and effective way. Don’t settle for just any English learning app, choose Learn Laugh Speak for the support and progress you need.

If you need help or your team needs help, we have an office in Sydney Australia & Cancun, Mexico. My email is Bryce@learnlaughspeak.com feel free to reach out.

We ensure students learn correctly and in the most efficient way possible.

www.learnlaughspeak.com

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Bryce Purnell
Bryce Purnell

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