Language Technology Grid

Name: Casey Humpherys

Language Tech Details Strengths Weaknesses

Tool
● 14 languages offered ● Repetition to gain ● Not free, subscription
● Tailored towards novice and confidence required
intermediate ● Limited use of your
Babbel ● Uses diversity of exercises and native language
repetition ● Interactive lessons, live
● World’s first language learning app classes, podcasts,
● PICRAT - IA games, culture facts

● Ideal for intermediate level ● Free! ● Lack of depth, not

● Offered in 4 languages
DuoLingo Podcasts ● Provides a transcript for you to
read and follow along as you listen
● PICRAT - PT or IT
● Can supplement reading much more than just
stories in your classroom listening
● Easily accessible
● Stories are fun and
authentic

● 25 languages offered ● Large variety of ● Not free

● Three steps of immersion, support, languages ● Lacks practical
and expression ● Not free, but cheap vocabulary
Rosetta Stone
● Focus on fluency, not just ● Variety of activities
familiarity ● Focuses on grammar
● PICRAT - CT and sentence formation

● Uses music to practice listening ● Variety of genres ● “Proficiency levels”

Lyrics Training skills ● Offers four proficiency only means more
● 13 languages levels blanks to fill in the
● PICRAT - CT ● Game Mode lyrics.
 ● 51 Languages
● Focuses on conversation skills
Pimsleur ● Novice-Intermediate
● PICRAT - PR or IT
● Used by the FBI and Homeland
Security, and Marine Corps.
● Variety of study games ● Not free
like matching and ● Cheaper subscription
flashcards only gives access to
● Teaches grammar one language
● Uses native speakers ● Not a lot of reading
and writing practice

● Offers 5 languages ● Uses native speakers in ● Limited languages

● Online webpage only real time video offered
● Set up like a class conferences ● No app platform
Lingoda ● Uses CEFR scale (novice to ● Variety of proficiency ● Not free
advanced low) levels
● Good way to tutor ● Placement test
● PICRAT - IR and IA

● Social media based ● Connects you to native ● Stranger danger risks

● 150 languages speakers ● Not great for studying,
● Novice-Intermediate ● Connects to real just practice
Hello Talk
● PICRAT - CT, IT teachers ● For phones only
● Uses Speaking, Reading, Writing, ● Can create a class
Listening ● Free version

● Partnered with Pearson ● Conjunction tables ● VR systems are

● Offers 41 languages and language ● Eclectic expensive
combinations ● Hands free mode ● Free version is
● Quick daily lessons with voice ● Mondly VR Oculus incredibly limited
Mondly overs, chat boxes, games, etc. ● Kids version
● Beginner to Advanced ● Business version
● Grammar and vocabulary ● Pick your interests
● PICRAT - CA, CT, and IT
depending on what you are using.

iTalki ● Offers over 150 languages ● Uses qualified teachers ● Not built for a whole
● Offers sign language ● Lessons are one-on-one class
● British CEFR based ● Business accounts ● Charged per hour
● PICRAT - IT ● Free podcasts, mini
 quizzes, and vocabulary
● Can earn certification
● 22+ Languages ● Games for engagement
● Uses CEFR ● Individual or class
● Intermediate to Advanced learning compatible
● Gamified ● Authentic tasks
Duolingo Stories ● Focuses on reading, listening, and ● FREE
writing ● Can change to align to
● PICRAT - IR, PR ACTFL or CEFR
● Student tracking options
● Instant feedback
● 5 languages ● Offers worksheets to go
● Bilingual stories along the stories
The Fable Cottage ● Novice-Intermediate ● Includes culture
● Emphasizes receptive skills sensitivity
● PICRAT - PA, PR ● Story-based
● 14 different Languages ● Encourages speaking
● Ranges from Novice to ● License is transferable
Intermediate between teachers and
Rocket Language ● Utilizes CEFR students
● Uses games ● Purchase is 1 time, no
● PICRAT - IR, IA subscriptions
● Offers placement tests
● Lacks speaking
practice
● Prewritten, no live
interaction
● Ads on free account
● Must unlock stories
● Built more for english
native speakers to
learn another
language
● Not free
● Audio is robotic
● Really expensive
● Only pays for 1
language
My Top Three Language Tech Tools
1. I may be a little biased for choosing Hello Talk, however, I really love the idea of using social media to learn. Though the risks
of stranger danger are present, If I am able to teach my students digital citizenship, this meets many students’ interests as
using and exploring social media. An example I would use this in is having students meet with a few teachers in a live video (I
would pre-approve and search for safe options, which would take a bit of prep time) and then have them make a post about
what they learned.

2. Duolingo stories seem like a great free option. Though I wouldn’t use it constantly, I would use it as a way to avoid downtime.
What I mean by this is if I get an important call from the office or an emergency causes me to need to step out, rather than
leaving my students to just be sitting and talking I could instruct them “Okay everyone, pull out a duolingo story and work on it
until I’m done on this phone call”.

3. Unfortunately, there aren’t many free options that give a lot of access. However, one that seemed worth it to me was Rocket
Language. The limitation of 1 language purchasing doesn’t bother me because I’ll be teaching English no matter what. What
really draws me is that I could utilize their placement test options and this app utilizes speaking whereas my previous ones
focused a bit more on receptive skills. I would use Rocket Language to teach about culture in the class, as they focus not just
on proper grammar, but what the natives actually use and what would be practical.