Choosing a Language Learning App
IntermediateTechnology
Two classmates in a library compare online language learning platforms, weighing the pros and cons of their free and paid versions.
L
LiW
WeiL
你最近用哪个软件学外语啊？
nǐ zuìjìn yòng nǎge ruǎnjiàn xué wàiyǔ a?
What app have you been using to learn a foreign language lately?
W
我一直在用一个叫多邻国的软件，免费版就挺够用的。
wǒ yìzhí zài yòng yí ge jiào duōlínguó de ruǎnjiàn, miǎnfèi bǎn jiù tǐng gòu yòng de.
I've been using an app called Duolingo the whole time; the free version is actually quite good enough.
L
真的吗？不过免费版广告是不是特别多，老打断你？
zhēn de ma? búguò miǎnfèi bǎn guǎnggào shì bú shì tèbié duō, lǎo dǎduàn nǐ?
Really? But doesn't the free version have tons of ads that constantly interrupt you?
W
确实有点广告，但只要你不太在意，其实影响不大。
quèshí yǒudiǎn guǎnggào, dàn zhǐyào nǐ bú tài zàiyì, qíshí yǐngxiǎng bú dà.
There are indeed some ads, but as long as you don't mind too much, they don't really affect much.
L
我用的是另一个平台，它的付费版能跟真人老师一对一练口语。
wǒ yòng de shì lìng yí ge píngtái, tā de fùfèi bǎn néng gēn zhēnrén lǎoshī yí duì yī liàn kǒuyǔ.
I use another platform; its paid version lets you practice speaking one-on-one with a real teacher.
W
哇，那对练口语肯定特别有帮助。贵不贵啊？
wā, nà duì liàn kǒuyǔ kěndìng tèbié yǒu bāngzhù. guì bú guì a?
Wow, that must be really helpful for practicing speaking. Is it expensive?
L
一个月一百多块，比请家教便宜多了。
yí ge yuè yìbǎi duō kuài, bǐ qǐng jiājiào piányi duō le.
About a hundred-something yuan a month, way cheaper than hiring a private tutor.
W
确实不算贵。不过我觉得对初学者来说，免费版就已经够了。
quèshí bú suàn guì. búguò wǒ juéde duì chūxuézhě lái shuō, miǎnfèi bǎn jiù yǐjīng gòu le.
That's really not expensive. But I think for beginners, the free version is already enough.
L
有道理。不过要是想真正开口说，光靠免费版可能不太行。
yǒu dàolǐ. búguò yàoshi xiǎng zhēnzhèng kāikǒu shuō, guāng kào miǎnfèi bǎn kěnéng bú tài xíng.
That makes sense. But if you want to actually start speaking, relying only on the free version probably won't cut it.
W
说得也是。要不我先用免费版打基础，以后再升级到付费版。
shuō de yěshì. yàobù wǒ xiān yòng miǎnfèi bǎn dǎ jīchǔ, yǐhòu zài shēngjí dào fùfèi bǎn.
You're right. Maybe I'll use the free version first to build a foundation, and upgrade to the paid version later.
L
这主意挺好的。很多平台都有免费试用，你可以先试试再决定。
zhè zhǔyi tǐng hǎo de. hěn duō píngtái dōu yǒu miǎnfèi shìyòng, nǐ kěyǐ xiān shìshi zài juédìng.
That's a good idea. Many platforms offer free trials, so you can try them first and then decide.
W
行，那我今晚就下载几个软件比较比较，谢谢你的建议！
xíng, nà wǒ jīnwǎn jiù xiàzài jǐ ge ruǎnjiàn bǐjiào bǐjiào, xièxie nǐ de jiànyì!
Alright, then tonight I'll download a few apps and compare them. Thanks for the advice!