This is a fun-filled app that is geared toward teaching people of all ages key aspects of a language, including alphabets, words, and native pronunciations, all through fun games and practice exercises. I asked my 8-year old daughter, a 15-year old boy and a 29-year old friend to test it out and they all told me they enjoyed it and provided me with great feedback to make it even better and more enjoyable, so I’m sure you’ll love it. It is composed of four main tabs that gradually build your familiarity with the selected language. It comes with three languages (Full version only): English, French, and Arabic. More languages to be added in the future. This is the English-only app. If interested in the other two languages, and more in the future then you’re encouraged to purchase the full version since it runs for $1.99, which is equivalent to getting one language for free.
1. Alphabet Tab:
This tab lists the letters of the selected alphabet in order and allows the user to tap on each letter to hear its pronunciation. This tab also contains an info button for in-application settings, which includes switching target languages (Full version only).
2. Samples Tab:
This tab provides a listing of the letters for the selected alphabet. Once the user selects a letter, they are shown examples for words along with their pictures, which start, include, and end with that selected letter. The user can tap on the picture to listen to its pronunciation and on the word to listen to its spelling.
3. Games Tab:
This tab contains a pack of fun games that help you exercise your knowledge with the selected (target) language. In all these games, you can play with new words by tapping “Try Another.” The games are:
a. Falling Pictures Game:
Three pictures will fall from the top of the screen and you are expected to tap on the one that matches the word at the bottom. If you don’t select the right picture, you will see a nice effect (I won’t spoil the surprise for you :-).
b. Matching Game:
This game is composed of two main columns: the left column contains pictures while the right column contains words, both in random order and you’re expected to match pictures to words. This is yet another fun method to help solidify your learning.
c. Memory Game:
This is similar to the standard memory game in which you have three words and three pictures that are covered. You are expected to uncover matching words/pictures.
4. Practice Tab:
This tab contains three fun practice exercises that help you test your knowledge. In all these exercises, you can test yourself with new words by tapping “Try Another.” The practice exercises are:
a. Drawing:
This is a good writing/drawing exercise that shows you the spelling of a word along with its picture and you’re expected to draw it out on the board. If not satisfied, you can erase it with the eraser. You can also click on the picture to listen to its pronunciation.
b. Sound:
This exercise allows you to listen to a word’s actual pronunciation and lets you practice it by recording it with your own voice (you can even sing it if you want :-)) and then play it back. This is an excellent practical exercise for enhancing your pronunciation.
c. Spelling:
This exercise presents you with a picture and allows you to type its corresponding word in the provided text box. If you need help, you can always tap the “hint” button and a portion of the word will be presented to you. If the hint is not enough then you can tap the “I Give Up” button, which would reveal the solution to you.
Enjoy!