If you’ve ever attempted to learn a new language, you know the undeniable truth: it’s not easy.
In fact, mastering a second (or third, or fourth) language can often feel so overwhelming that people don’t know where to start.
Classes are a great way to practice both listening and speaking in your target language. Working with a qualified teacher can be extremely helpful in meeting your goals.
However, language classes are often expensive and time-consuming, and occasionally hard to find (depending on where you live and what language you want to learn).
Factor in the added time and cost of driving to wherever the class meets and buying the necessary books and materials, and it’s easy to see how this option might not work for people with busy schedules.
Language learning apps, on the other hand, have made it possible to tackle a language a little bit at a time, in short and engaging lessons.
These apps have simplified and gamified the language learning process, making it possible to squeeze in a learning session on the go or after a long day.
The downside here, of course, is that the effectiveness of most language learning apps isn’t always clear.
Many people download a language app with big goals, only to quit using it a few weeks or months later when life gets hectic. Even if you’re able to stay committed, many of these apps can only take learning so far.
Much like completing pages in a workbook, many of these apps fall back on lessons that use rote memorization rather than the interactive skills needed for real comprehension.
After all, filling in the blanks or listening to a digitized speaker can be useful, but it doesn’t exactly make you a confident or fluent speaker.
So, how can you actually master a new language without encountering these pitfalls?
We recommend Busuu, a digital language learning program that allows you to write, listen, and converse in your native language in cutting-edge new ways.
Read on to learn about what sets Busuu apart – and to see if it might be a good way to get started on your language learning journey.
Busuu Learning
Learn a new language at your own pace! Join Busuu and get personalized lessons, practice with native speakers, and track your progress. Start your free trial today
What is Busuu?
Busuu is a language learning platform created by two friends in business school in 2008.
The founders, Bernhard Neisner and Adrian Hilti, felt fed up with outmoded methods of language learning and hoped to create a way to make the process more effective and enjoyable.
Busuu (named after an endangered language in Cameroon) has grown exponentially since then.
Now part of Chegg, an international education heavyweight, the program includes comprehensive courses with innovative AI features in over 14 different languages.
With options for individuals, educators, and businesses, Busuu aims to reach every potential learner where they are to help them reach their language goals.
Now that you have an overview of what Busuu is all about, let’s get into the details.
What Does Busuu Offer?
To start learning with Busuu, you’ll download the app and choose either the Free or Premium version (more on that later).
From there, you’ll select the language you’re hoping to learn. At the time of this writing, Busuu offers 14 language learning options:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Turkish
Each of these courses have been expertly designed to align to the standards of the Common European Framework of Reference, or CEFR.
You’ll then take an AI-powered Placement Test to ensure that you start at the right level.
Courses on Busuu encompass the first four levels of the CEFR, from A1 up to B2.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what those levels mean:
- A1: Courses at this level are designed for brand-new speakers. These lessons will help you learn to introduce yourself, order food and drinks, and make basic conversation.
- A2: These lessons are aimed at advanced beginners. You’ll focus on describing yourself and your family, making plans, and expanding your vocabulary and comprehension.
- B1: At this intermediate level, lessons are designed to help speakers express emotions, discuss their likes and dislikes, and give more detailed explanations.
- B2: This learning stage empowers you to discuss important real life issues, including cultural and spiritual topics. You’ll learn to write more in-depth passages, form arguments, and have meaningful discussions in your target language.
What Sets Busuu Apart?
Let’s get into the good stuff, now that we’ve covered what Busuu offers in terms of courses.
Like most language learning apps, Busuu lessons are designed to be quick and engaging practice sessions.
The platform describes the lessons and video clips as “bite-sized” – easy chunks of learning you can access whenever you have time.
Quick checkpoint quizzes along the way will help you track your progress and pinpoint areas for improvement.
This structure is ideal for busy learners, but what truly sets Busuu apart is the level of personalized feedback the program provides.
Through their Online Community and Conversations features, you’ll be able to access an unprecedented level of feedback, tailored exactly to your goals.
Read on to learn more.
- The Online Community
Busuu’s online Community is a major component of the program.
Learners can submit their completed lessons to a thriving community of real native speakers across the globe.
Community members can read, correct, and praise responses in their native languages, providing an incredible opportunity for an interactive, international support base.
Getting feedback from fellow learners can help you build your confidence and stay motivated to keep improving.
Plus, you’ll have the chance to return the favor for other users in your own native language.
- Busuu Conversations
Busuu Conversations is a highly innovative feature that takes feedback to an even more personal level.
The Conversations feature gives learners the incredible opportunity to speak and listen with a personalized AI-powered conversation partner, whenever they wish!
Your AI conversation partner will be able to generate conversations at precisely the right level for your comprehension abilities, even focusing on the grammar and vocabulary that you’re hoping to improve.
Not only will you be able to listen and speak, but after each conversation you will receive a real-time analysis of your progress.
This revolutionary technology lets you have actual conversations without the anxiety (and potential inconvenience) of talking to a real native speaker.
You can make as many mistakes as you need to without fear of how you sound, and use the post-conversation insights to determine your goals moving forward.
While nothing can take the place of real human interaction, Busuu Conversations is an excellent way to gain meaningful practice in a low-pressure setting.
As anyone who speaks a second language can tell you, the hardest part is pushing yourself to actually start talking… and risk making mistakes, not understanding, and feeling lost.
An AI conversation partner can ease some of that tension while still giving you the chance to listen, learn, and communicate in your target language.
While it may sound futuristic, Busuu Conversations is a powerful way to improve your confidence and your abilities – so that you’ll be ready to connect with the real world all the sooner.
- The Effectiveness
Busuu is a highly effective learning program. Expert-designed and enhanced with AI, each lesson is designed to help you get stronger in the areas where you need it most.
Busuu even conducted an independent study with several universities (City University of New York and the University of South Carolina) to measure its effectiveness.
Results showed that 22 hours of practice with Busuu equated to one semester of college – an impressive benchmark!
- The Flexibility
We also love the flexible options Busuu provides. Learners can start for free without having to subscribe, then upgrade to Premium to access more advanced features at any time.
There’s even a student discount to help users who are learning a language while pursuing their education.
Premium plans, which include cutting-edge features like the Online Community and Conversations features (plus no ads or interruptions), can be purchased per month, per six months, or per year.
Savings are greatest on the yearly purchase, with the cost averaging out to only $6.95 a month – less than a spin through the drive-through!
Final Thoughts on Busuu’s Personalized Feedback
Learning a language can change your life.
Whether you’re moving to a new country, connecting with a special person, or looking for a better job, mastering another language can make a huge difference.
Busuu is the best way to maximize the convenience of an online app while also getting the essential speaking and listening practice that is necessary for actual fluency.
The incredible blend of real interaction and expert AI conversation offered by Busuu creates a learning program that’s low on pressure but high on results.
That’s a win in any language.
Have you learned a language with Busuu before? Have insights or ideas about their Online Community or Conversations features? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
What is the correlation of Busuu levels to CEFR levels? I’m doing Busuu Russian and Spanish, but I haven’t seen anything about where on the CEFR I’m at for either language.
Busuu levels correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages, which is a standardized system used to measure language proficiency across various languages. Here’s how Busuu typically aligns its levels with the CEFR:
A1 (Beginner) – Basic phrases and simple sentences.
A2 (Elementary) – Simple tasks and everyday situations.
B1 (Intermediate) – Can handle familiar situations but still needs support in more complex topics.
B2 (Upper Intermediate) – Comfortable with the language in most situations, can express themselves clearly and effectively.
C1 (Advanced) – Fluent and sophisticated use of the language in a variety of contexts.
C2 (Proficient) – Near-native proficiency, capable of using the language for any purpose.
If you’re using Busuu for learning Russian and Spanish, each course is structured to guide learners through these levels, though the exact progression can vary depending on the language.
Busuu has a “Level Up” feature that helps learners track their progress through lessons, and as you complete certain levels or complete certain milestones, your proficiency will align more closely with the CEFR. However, you won’t necessarily be shown your precise CEFR level automatically unless you complete their official language certification exam for the respective language. This is typically aligned with the CEFR scale, and you will get a certificate showing your level, such as A1, A2, B1, etc.
For more information about the CEFR levels on Busuu or how your progress is assessed, it’s always good to check out their course descriptions or reach out to their support team for more detailed guidance.