In this world where one can find out many differences, language acts as a unifying bridge to bring everyone closer to build a connection. Learning a new language always acts as a boon for personal and professional growth. While moving to another city or country, you can easily interact with local people and make new friends in a new place. On a professional front, many multinational companies look for employees who are well-versed in a couple of international languages to handle multiple locations. Due to multiple personal and professional benefits, the desire to learn new international languages is increasing among people with every passing day. Thanks to the technology that has made it easier for people to learn any foreign languages, unlike before. One can now easily download a language learning app to get started right from their smartphone or laptop within a few clicks. Nowadays, one can easily find multiple language learning apps in the market. However, Memrise is one of the best and most effective foreign language learning applications. It helps you to learn real-world phrases within no time.

Let’s explore the pros, cons, process, features, benefits, and more of the Memrise app in this review.

PROS

• Real brain science involved
• Game feature makes learning fun and easier
• Lot of free content
• A lot of videos from native speakers
• Highly efficient customer support
• Good to learn day-to-day phrases
• A great language-learning platform for beginners
• A lot of customization options

CONS

• Not for advanced learning
• Lack of explanation in grammar lessons
• User-generated content lacks quality
• Some features are available only in the mobile app
• Some exercises are repetitive
• More attention towards vocabulary, not grammar

About Memrise

Memrise is the most sought-after language flash-card-based learning mobile app and website. The platform is designed to prepare learners for real-life situations by showing videos of native speakers. The main idea is to train learners for day-to-day conversations by showing a lot of audio and visual content.

The language learning platform was launched in 2010 by Ed Cooke along with his friends Ben Whately and Greg Detre. It is a British language learning platform that has over 60 million active users across 189 countries. The founders did their education at Princeton University in neuroscience. They have also done a Grand Master of Memory from Oxford University. Hence, they know how the brain functions. Due to the science behind the platform, it outshines every other language-learning app or platform in the market.

The platform is available on a mobile app that can easily be downloaded from AppStore and PlayStore. One can learn a language just like playing an old game of flash cards.

How Does Memrise Work?

Memrise basically works on the basic steps that involve in language learning.

• Basic translation  of the language
• Building an understanding of the language
• Getting feedback on what you learned and understood.

It has a good range of videos and audio followed by flashcards that help learners to get the essence of the language in various methods without facing any problems.

In fact, mobile learners can also take a picture of any object around them to know the word for it right from the app. It’s a useful feature for people who are traveling to a new destination and come across various objects and things on the go.

It also makes use of space repetition to help learners review the content they have learned in order to consolidate their understanding levels.

The homepage shows the learning progress along with the daily goals. One can easily explore the features and modules they wish to learn right from the homepage. For instance, there is a feature called ‘Learn with Locals’ that brings native speakers’ videos.

How To Get Started With Memrise?

• First of all, you need to register yourself on the app or website
• Choose the language you speak and you want to learn on Memrise
• Memrise offers multiple language pairs, not just English as a primary language
• Pick your level to learn a language
• Now start with the first lesson.

Memrise Features

– Several courses

Memrise offers 7 courses for every international language. Once you pick the language you wish to learn, the platform will ask you to pick the course you want to start with. It doesn’t ask you to clear a test. Instead, you can easily join any course on the understanding you already have about the language. You can also change the course in between. However, every language starts with the Phrases and Learn Words lessons.

– Learn mode

There is a Learn Mode that offers learning right from flashcards along with video and audio to teach new phrases and words. Learners will get multiple choice questions to pick the right word along with some writing exercises.

– Learn Grammar

There is also a Learn Grammar option that enlightens learners about grammar patterns and rules. However, the feature is only available on the app.

– Classic Review

Here, learners can practice the words through the multiple-choice questions activity. The words and phrases come again and again to feed them in your head for a long time. Also, the faster you answer, the more points you grab.

–  Speed Review

It’s quite similar to the Classic Review. However, it emphasizes speed learning. Upon every correct answer, a learner gets 25 points.

– Immerse Mode

This mode involves local learning. One can learn with locals through videos of native speakers. Learners will exactly know the right pronunciation of phrases and words while watching videos and audio in this mode. However, the model is available for select courses. One can also find out a ‘listening skills’ activity where one has to listen to the audio to give the right answer. It is meant to improve the listening skills of learners.

– Communicate Mode

In this mode, learners can easily practice the right pronunciation and get instant feedback.

Memrise Subscription Plans & Pricing

Memrise offers a lot of free content on it’s website. The content is of very good quality. Hence, one can easily learn a lot of words and phrases without paying a single penny.

However, if you want to access the premium features for advanced language learning then you have to take the subscription.

Memrise offers three subscription levels, including:

– Monthly

It costs $8.49 per month

– Annual

It costs $5.00 per month

– Lifetime

It costs $119.99 for a lifetime.

Memrise Free vs Paid Version: Which one should you choose?

The Memrise app is free to use. In fact, the brand offers a lot of good features for free. One can easily learn a language completely without paying a single penny.

However, the platform offers a premium version that comes with some added features such as:

• Fast learning
• Personalized learning experience
• Learning from real locals

But, it is recommended to use it for free. I feel one doesn’t get much value by paying a few dollars for a paid version. Memrise is already offering a lot in it’s free version so it’s pointless to waste money on taking a subscription unless you want a personalized learning experience.

Memrise Advantages

– The free version solves the purpose

There are many language learning platforms and apps that offer limited features in the free version. However, Memrise offers almost everything. Despite having paid subscription plans, we can easily recommend a free version to learn everything.

– It comes with a space repetition system

Memrise uses two major learning tools, including spaced repetition and mnemonics to help learners memorize any language easily and effectively.

– It comes with several courses, lessons, and levels

Despite being a vocabulary-centric platform, it offers learners a chance to learn multiple languages proficiently at different levels. The user interface is also very friendly and based on a flash-card game to let users enjoy the learning process.

Memrise Alternatives

– Drops

It is also a vocabulary-focused language-learning app. However, it has more vocabulary lists, languages, and a beautiful user interface. However, Memrise offers a lot of free content, whereas Drops offer limited free content.

– MosaLingua

MosaLingua is not as structured as Memrise. It lets you start from anywhere, or learn any subject as per your choice. However, it offers a lot of good and versatile free content on it’s app and website.

– Babbel

Babbel outshines Memrise in overall language learning features. The former offers immersive language learning with all the major topics covered such as grammar, pronunciation, and more, whereas the latter pays more attention to building vocabulary. Babbel is pricier than Memrise and comes with limited free features.

Who Should Use Memrise?

Memrise is an apt language learning platform for learners who want quick mastery of vocabulary without getting much into the grammar part. With it’s incredible learning tools such as spaced repetition and memorization, learners can easily master new words and keep them in their memory for a long time.

Moreover, it gives full control to learners in learning a language via a website and an app. They can create their own flashcards and learn as much as they want in the free version itself.

However, if you are someone who wants to learn the language as a career or seeking an advanced version with certification then it’s not meant for you.