Which app would you use? Naturally, learning language on-site, with the people who speak it, is the best approach ever. In fact, let’s just come right out and say — it’s the only approach into which ANY of us wish to invest time and effort. It’s more fun, it’s more efficient, and it’s more effective. But if you CAN’T learn onsite and you HAVE to invest in some kind of individualized program (and you can’t hire a ‘live’ tutor, take a class, or join a conversation club), which app would you prefer and why? That’s the question. Lately, we’ve been trying out this app…
https://www.duolingo.com/

And we’ll have to say, it’s better than nothing at all. It offers native language speakers for modeling purposes. It forces the user to be engaged in guessing meanings, listening to pronunciation, and mimicry. And, to cap it all off, it’s free. What’s their model? Apparently, according to the CEO, it kind of tricks you into helping with translation projects — which are already generating a few hundred thousand dollars per year for the company. Learn more at…

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/01/duolingo_the_free_language_learning_app_that_s_addictive_and_fun.html

Bottom line: Duolingo will be free forever. Try it. It’s addictive. : )