Learning a new language is a life-changing skill, but it’s not an easy task to accomplish.
No matter how brilliant you are, there will always be a period during which you don’t know enough to express yourself… or to understand what others are saying.
As any bilingual person will tell you, however, this period can also lead to the most learning gains.
When you immerse yourself in conversations and interactions in your target language, your brain actively connects new words and their meanings, accelerating your learning process.
That’s why many people recommend immersing yourself in a country where the language is spoken—actively engaging with the environment to speed up your learning.
Of course, that’s not practical advice for many language learners who can’t simply jet off to Ecuador, or Japan, or Turkey, or France.
In today’s world, most people rely on language-learning apps to hone their skills instead. Many language apps are both free and fun, with short lessons that often resemble games.
The drawback with language learning apps, however, are the limitations on learning. They can’t replicate the essential human interaction that helps learners truly master their target language.
Enter Busuu, a revolutionary language-learning platform with cutting-edge conversation technology designed to create the experience of real-life interactions… all from the comfort of your own home.
Read on to learn more about Busuu and how their Conversations feature is changing the way we learn to speak.
A Little Background on Busuu
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.
Tired of outmoded ways of learning new languages, Bernhard Neisner and Adrian Hilti decided to try a new way of teaching. Busuu (named after an endangered language in Cameroon) is the brainchild of their collaboration.
Designed to be both fun and effective, Busuu offers courses in a variety of languages and levels.
Lessons are quick and fun, with clearly stated goals at the outset and short quizzes to track your progress along the way.
Instructional videos are provided, as well as plenty of resources to help you review and practice.
Enhanced with AI features and a network of real-world peers, Busuu is a breath of fresh air in the language learning world.
What Languages Does Busuu Offer?
At the time of this writing, Busuu offers courses in the following fourteen languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Turkish
How Are Busuu Courses Structured?
Each course is aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference, or CEFR, using their standardized levels of understanding.
To determine your correct level, you’ll take a short placement quiz after joining Busuu.
This will guarantee you’re starting at the right place: A1 courses for total newbies, A2 for advanced beginners, B1 for speakers with a bit more skill and range, and B2 for folks who are ready for more complex passages and deeper conversations.
All Busuu courses are offered up to level B2, with the exception of their English course (that goes all the way up to C1).
No matter where you’re beginning, Busuu lessons are designed to provide bite-sized learning opportunities that you can easily complete in one sitting.
Busuu allows you to work at your own pace, repeat instructions and videos as needed, and connect with others on Busuu’s expansive Online Community.
They’ve also recently added a game-changing AI-powered capability to their platform called Busuu Conversations.
Let’s take a closer look at this feature below.
All About Busuu Conversations
What Are Busuu Conversations?
Busuu Conversations are the closest thing you can get to having a friendly native speaker who’s available to talk to you 24/7.
By utilizing state-of-the-art AI technology, Busuu provides users with the chance to connect with a virtual “buddy” with whom they can chat, listen to, and learn from… at whatever time is convenient!
Your Busuu Conversations buddy will not only speak your target language but will do so at the exact level you need.
If you’re a brand-new language learner, for example, your buddy will speak slowly and in simple sentences.
As your comprehension builds, your Busuu Conversations partner will evolve right along with you.
By gradually introducing new vocabulary words, longer sentences, and a greater level of complexity into your chats, your conversation partner will help you grow as a listener and speaker.
Not only that, but when your session is done, your AI conversation partner will provide you with detailed insights on what you’ve said.
These insights are a great way to monitor your progress and celebrate how far you’ve come!
What is a Busuu Conversation Like?
Curious about what a Busuu Conversation actually entails? It’s a pretty straightforward routine.
Each conversation will begin with a stated goal. It might be something simple, like commenting on the weather, or something more complex, like making an argument to support your opinion.
This is a good way to keep your conversation on track and ensure that you’re covering the skills you need to reach your goals.
Your Busuu Conversations buddy will begin an improvised conversation with you based on that goal, and you can go from there!
Talk for as long as you’d like and wrap up the session whenever you need to. Directly after your conversation, you’ll receive an AI-powered analysis of your responses.
How Much Does It Cost to Access Busuu Conversations?
Busuu Conversations is an included feature when you subscribe to Busuu’s Premium plan.
Along with the platform’s expert-designed lessons, videos, quizzes, and other resources, you can access the Conversations feature at just $6.95/month when you select a yearlong subscription.
Your Premium subscription also allows you to access Busuu’s Online Community of real native speakers and students, and provides an ad-free learning experience to minimize distractions.
You’ll even get an official certificate upon completing a Busuu course with the Premium membership, which can be a useful addition to your resume or portfolio.
How Can I Make Progress With Busuu Conversations?
Now that you know a bit about Busuu Conversations and how to access it, let’s talk about how to get the most out of this innovative feature.
- Make it a Routine: Coordinating a time to talk with a real-life conversation buddy can be difficult, especially when busy schedules and conflicting time zones are involved.
That used to mean that chances for conversations were often few and far between.
Busuu Conversations changes that, though – now you have someone to talk to whenever works for your schedule!
Maximize this convenience by committing to a conversation routine.
Whether it’s first thing in the morning, after dinner while you clean the kitchen, or part of your weekend recharge, choose a time and stick with it.
Committing a chunk of time to speaking and listening with your Busuu Conversations buddy is one of the most effective ways to actually learn your new language.
- Stick To Your Goals: Stay focused on what you want to learn when you’re engaging in a conversation with your AI-powered buddy.
This is easy to do, since each conversation will have a goal outlined for you before you begin.
Keeping your goal in mind will help you think of what to say (in case you feel awkward talking to an AI-generated voice), but it will also ensure that you’re actually making growth.
So often when we’re learning on apps or in textbooks, it’s easy to simply fall back on the skills we already know and the words we’re already comfortable with.
By making an effort to tackle whatever conversation goal you have for the day, you’ll prevent yourself from reaching a plateau in your learning.
- Have Fun With It: Busuu Conversations is a great opportunity to speak with no inhibitions.
Your Busuu Conversations partner is tailored to your comprehension level, so you don’t have to worry that they will suddenly start speaking too quickly or with idioms you don’t understand.
Even better, your Busuu Conversations buddy isn’t going to judge you, or laugh at your accent, or wonder why on earth you’re wasting their time.
(Hopefully your real-life friends wouldn’t either, but it’s nice to know the AI isn’t even capable of such things!)
This is the time to try those new words, attempt that longer phrase, and take a stab at what you think your partner is saying… even if you’re not one hundred percent sure.
You can speak with confidence knowing that your Busuu Conversations partner is designed to listen and help you grow!
Final Thoughts on Busuu Conversations
If you want to learn to really express yourself, conversations are key.
There’s simply no other way to master the nuances of thinking on your feet, listening, and replying in real time.
Busuu Conversations uses AI to create a valuable tool here: a way to converse in a judgment-free zone, with chances to learn and grow from your own mistakes.
By harnessing the power of Busuu Conversations, you can maximize your language learning potential… and begin having meaningful conversations much faster.
Are you a current or former Busuu member? Have any questions or comments about the Conversations feature, or just want to share about your language-learning journey? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Julia loves all things reading and writing and enjoys discovering new ways to connect with other educators.
