Best Language Learning Blogs Reviewed: 5 Top Must-follows

Introduction: Finding better ways to learn a language from productive foreign language learners

As a beginning teacher more than 15 years ago, I always wonder about successful language learning strategies that I can share with my learners. As an enthusiastic learner myself, a convenient source where I always look for is language learning blogs. The wonders of language learning blogs, especially the better ones, can be resource-rich avenues to look for new tips and tricks to include in our repertoire, so that we can always have something for every language learner that come our way.

However, we may not be strangers to the experience of relentless scrolling and browsing without landing on the things that we find useful. Sometimes, we do need to dig a bit further, read a few sample articles before deciding if a blog is worth our following.

I aim to put together a list of reviewed language learning blogs (25 here) in this article to help us make that decision. Most of the language bloggers are polyglots (i.e. people who speak or use several languages), while some blogs are managed by startups or companies who are selling a service or product. All blogs offer many articles which illustrate specific content (e.g. important phrases, how to use a certain grammatical element) in learning of specific languages, though there are also many articles on language learning in general.

At Language Educators Assemble, I do not subscribe to any one individual approach to language education or language learning. The world population has reached 8 billion, and I doubt that every one of us learns languages best by a single method or strategy. As language educators, the more methods and strategies we have up our sleeves, the more we may be able to address the pain points or leverage novel opportunities of language learning in our learners.

1. Jumpspeak

Jumpspeak is language learning service solution (mainly for the Spanish language) with two major components: an AI-powered language app that employs an active immersion method to help you master a new language and a tutoring service that fosters “active learning”, “immersion” and “feedback”. Other than Spanish, the tutoring service also offer a wide range of languages (e.g. French, English, Mandarin).

In addition to its core business, Jumpspeak also manages a blog that caters to a broader audience interested in language acquisition. The blog features a wealth of articles providing valuable tips on learning specific languages, insights into various language-related activities (e.g. practising target languages in different contexts), and intriguing content designed to spark your curiosity and inspire you to continue learning.

Unlike some other business blogs, Jumpspeak refrains from aggressive sales tactics, focusing instead on delivering quality content. Navigation is not as easy though, but there are gems in the substantial number of articles published.

2. Fluent in 3 Months

Fluent in 3 Months is owned by Benny the Irish Polyglot. Benny advocates a system of “language hacking” techniques that enables people who want to learn a new language to become “fluent in 3 months”. To learn about the system, learners can enrol for the course and/or consultation sessions with Benny. In other words, Benny is offering a service solution for language learners. 

The blog at Fluent in 3 Months is helmed by Benny and his team of polyglots. It covers a wide range of content aimed at helping readers master various languages with ease. As of March 2024, there are 119 pages of articles published, fortifying the blog as a relatively content-rich platform for language learners.

The architecture of the blog has definitely evolved over time, considering the way earlier articles are grouped and written in contrast to recent articles. There are no easy means to get a definitive overview of all the categories, though most articles are tagged to specific target languages. Languages include: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian. There are many articles on generic language learning tips too.

3. Eurolinguiste

Eurolinguiste, founded by Shannon Kennedy, is an integrated platform that offers content, training, and resources for those passionate about language learning. The platform features a diverse array of content, including blog posts, videos, podcasts, and courses, tailored to the needs of language enthusiasts. Where the language learning blog is concerned, articles are mainly on tips and resources. Previously, Eurolinguiste was found not to be hosted on a SSL-secured website as of November 2022, which may lead to security concerns. At point of update on March 2024, it is now secured.

4. Luca Lampariello

Luca Lampariello is managed by Luca Lampariello (obvious!), who is a renowned Italian polyglot. Through his website, Lampariello offers a mix of paid courses and free tips to assist learners in mastering new languages. Many have experienced success with his coaching services, which stand out for their clarity and simplicity. As compared to others I have surveyed, Luca’s service solutions for language learning are pretty transparent and straightforward.

Luca Lampariello’s language blog articles are mainly written by Luca himself, with also quite a number of articles written by guest contributors. Many of his articles come with his own videos which thus also make the content multi-modal. Furthermore, Luca has a unique flair for staying earnest despite his achievements. His blog is quite transparent, where there is an option to view all posts in a list. He has published around 124 articles as of March 2024.

5. Lindsay Does Languages

Lindsay Does Languages, an innovative language learning platform, focuses on the motivational aspects of language learning. Founded by Lindsay Williams, the program “Language Life” serves as a cheerleader for learners with structured approaches to maintain their motivation. It is quite a unique approach to providing a service solution of language learning, in contrast to most others which are either language courses, coaching on learning strategies or language learning tools.

The blog articles on Lindsay Does Languages are mostly, if not all, written by Lindsay herself. There are a large number of articles published, possibly more than 500. Most articles are written in an easy-going and casual style, with many words of encouragement – she is your cheerleader! If you have learners who are facing motivation issues, you can consider exposing them to her positive vibes.

6. StoryLearning

StoryLearning is a specific language learning method that was created by Olly Richards that prioritises the use of stories to learn languages, in opposition to methods which foregrounds rote learning and grammar rules. Based on this, Richards has crafted language lessons and supplemented them with blog articles and podcasts to provide a well-rounded learning resource hub for eager language learners.

StoryLearning has amassed an impressive repository of over 1k articles on a wide range of topics. Many articles are relatively brief and easily digestible, making them ideal for people yearning for a quick read, while there are some others which are considered long but less structured. One upside I like is the user-friendly design of the blog, particularly with its intuitive navigation system (e.g. available functions in the right positions).

7. Omniglot

Omniglot is fundamentally the personal blog of Simon Ager, a Welsh polyglot who considers himself a native speaker of English. He publishes his “musings on language and linguistics” on this blog. Simon is quite a prolific blogger, and he covers an extensive array of topics related to many different languages and varieties. Most of his articles are relatively short as compared to other blogs mentioned, and may not necessarily focus on language learning per se.

Omniglot has been in the scene since 2006 and is still very much active today. With around 18 years of regular blogging, you can imagine the large number of articles published on the blog. Every article focuses on a central topic explicitly described in the title and can be meticulous observations of interesting linguistic phenomena. As Simon has a wide repertoire of languages/varieties, there are also much multilingual comparisons in his articles, which can be useful in developing multilingual awareness.

8. Speaking Fluently

Speaking Fluently is managed by Richard Simcott, an English polyglot from Chester and someone who is recognised for being as the “one of the most multilingual people of the UK”. Richard has not only mastered numerous languages but also runs a successful YouTube channel and offers language consulting services.

Speaking Fluently’s blog features articles from 2011 to Mar 2023, as last surveyed on March 2024. His blog serves as a hub for language learners to find valuable tips and stories on honing their linguistic skills. There are not a lot of articles, though there is a good spread of useful tips and language learning experiences shared. Despite that, the majority of the articles are complemented by Richard’s YouTube videos, which thus make them multimodal and rich in content.

9. Italki

Italki is an online language tutoring service solution. There are 1-on-1 lessons as well as group classes, with a variety of budgets. There is also opportunity to connect with other language learners using their service. Languages offered include: English, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Russian and Hindi.

Unsurprisingly, the Italki blog articles are generally written by their staff content creators and include some form of marketing, although most of the articles surveyed adopted a soft approach. The main categories of the blog are the specific languages offered by Italki, though there are some sub-categories of learning tips, phrases, words, expressions, grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills.

10. Create Your World Book

Create Your World Book is a website managed by Susanna Zaraysky which aims to help individuals harness music and media to learn foreign languages, journey across countries, understand diverse perspectives, and experience the world through a unique lens. She does this mainly through the interfaces between language and culture, leveraging books, films and blog posts.

The blog at Create Your World Book comprises over 200 articles, and ventures into topics beyond language learning such as travelling and music. Susanna offers unique perspectives to language learning which are useful for those among us who are working with diverse learners. Although updates of articles seemed to have ceased in 2021, the archive remains a valuable resource for self-directed language learners.

11. Language Mastery

Language Mastery is a website managed by John Fotheringham who proposes an “Anywhere Immersion” method (which is largely language immersion with a branding), with which he has used to learn Chinese-Mandarin and the Japanese language. The website is a platform where interested language learners can get access to the guides, courses and free resources (e.g. podcasts) John has curated.

The blog at Language Mastery used to be packed with over 150 articles (written since 2009) which share tips and resources for language learning, so that any learner can achieve fluency in any language at any location. However, as verified on Mar 2024, the blog has been streamlined to around 40 articles now. Most of the articles are short and simple (reading time probably less than 5 minutes) with links to resources on the website and on the worldwide web.

12. Glossika

Glossika is a language learning tool which facilitates learning through the use of “smart technology, adaptive learning algorithm and structured content”. The website is thus dedicated to the introduction and marketing of the app, which offers learning of languages in the four skills. The app proclaims to have courses for over 60 languages, which is a remarkable feat for any single app or course.

As with most business blogs, the articles at Glossika include business-related content. However, such content is minimised and the blog offers many articles which genuinely focus on “Language Learning Hacks & Tips” as declared on their blog. Although the “hacks and tips” are not completely groundbreaking, they are generally useful for the typical learners. As with other language learning blogs mentioned in this post, their articles are usually centred around specific target languages (e.g. individuals who want to learn Japanese or learn French). Supported by their content creators, most of the posts are well-updated (up till 2024).

13. AutoLingual

AutoLingual is a new blog which I have included in this list. It seems to have inherited the domain of Yearlyglot. AutoLingual is a blog created by Mille Larsen, a language learning enthusiast from Denmark. Mille has declared that she is not promoting a specific method or language learning approach, but rather sharing her language learning journey (e.g. thoughts and experiences). She believes that each language should be approached differently and that learning languages should be about using them, not just showing off how many you can speak.

AutoLingual aims to provide short articles about languages and language learning based on personal experiences and views. As of date, there are already 86 pages of content (over 400 articles) published on the blog, written by Mille and guest contributors. The blog also features a selection of favourite language resources.

14. The Linguist

The Linguist is a website managed by Steve Kaufmann, a Canadian-born polyglot who also co-founded LingQ. While the title of the website is “The Linguist”, his definition of “linguist” is “someone who can speak more than one language and who enjoys doing it”. This is not exactly the definition that I might adopt and is neither the one used by Language Educators Assemble. While the website also links to LingQ, it is still mainly a blog where Steve shares a lot of his language learning experiences and tips.

The Linguist has been around since 2004 and is still updated today, verified as of Mar 2024. I must say that Steve is one of the most prolific language learning bloggers I have encountered. The Linguist has published around 700 articles, mostly if not all, written by Steve himself. Most articles are short and relate to Steve’s guidance for language learners. Notwithstanding that, there are also quite a number of articles where Steve provided his opinions on institutional language learning and critique of certain approaches advocated by others. Quite a number of his articles are supported with a podcast or video which he produced, where some are also the actual transcripts.

15. Language Tsar

Language Tsar is supported by “a group of passionate polyglots who love to write about learning languages and traveling”. As such, it is fundamentally a blog that have a group of contributors. One of the most impressive features of this community blog is that articles can be found in a number of different languages, potentially catering to a wider group of language learners interested in learning German or learning French (or any language which is not English).

However, as a disclaimer, non-English articles are limited in numbers, with only one article for some. Common topics engaged are language learning tips, benefits of language learning and reviews of best resources and tools (alongside deals and coupons). That being said, the bulk of their latest articles appears to be products/services reviews with coupons and discounts – seems to cater to learners finding language learning deals (like an affiliate marketing site).

16. The Mezzofanti Guild

The Mezzofanti Guild is founded on a passion for language learning, with Giuseppe Gasparo Mezzofanti as the idealised model. The founder of the site, Donovan Nagel, is trained in Applied Linguistics and has been managing the site “for over 12 years”. While the site is fundamentally a blog where Donovan writes extensively on “proven strategies to learn languages better and faster”, he also offers other services (e.g. consultancy services on blogging as a business).

While the blog at The Mezzofanti Guild is mainly built and maintained by the founder, Donovan, there are also many contributors writing on different target languages and from different perspectives on language learning in general. The blog is thus very comprehensive and cover a wider range of topics (e.g. learning advice, language exchange). There are more than 600 articles on the blog as of Mar 2024, with the earliest article written in 2011. Most of the articles are of moderate length, making them a good read with sufficient details to keep us thinking and reflecting.

17. 5-Minute Language

5-Minute Language is built and maintained by Agnieszka Murdoch, a “certified language teacher with almost 20 years of experience of learning and teaching foreign languages”. Other than maintaining the blog here, Agnieszka also offers online courses and 1-to-1 coaching sessions to help people learn second languages independently.

5-Minute Language’s blog has been declared by Agnieszka to house “hundreds of articles with tips on language learning” and “personal experiences along language learning journey”. The articles are generally written in a light-hearted manner and are relatively easy to read. I noted that selected articles have been updated in 2023 though I have not found more new articles written. I do hope Agnieszka will expand her content coverage further.

18. Fluent Forever

Fluent Forever is a simple suite of language learning solutions that seeks to anchor on a “10-minute daily habit system” to support language learners in achieving fluency in their desired languages. The suite includes a product (the app) and a service (online coaching) while running on two different subscription models. The method is grounded on a few learning options, including the use of flashcards in a systematic way to build vocabulary, practices in grammar to acquire it, and coaching services to engage in real conversations.

The blog at Fluent Forever is generally maintained by staff content creators, with support from guest contributors. Most of the articles are centred on language learning tips and simple resources. Many articles are targeted at specific languages. The number of articles are not as many and appear to have stalled since 2022 (verified as of Mar 2024). Noting that the blog is maintained as part of a branding and marketing strategy, we can expect some form of selling within the articles (usually in the last paragraph) though I do assess that most articles take a soft approach.

19. Languages Around the Globe

Languages Around the Globe was initially a facebook page to which Brian Powers dedicated his efforts and time to share about his reflections on languages, language learning struggles and content in other subjects in which he is interested. In 2021, the website has since expanded into a platform which also serves as a “marketplace offering job listings from language companies and for positions in language-related industries around the world”. According to the website, the marketplace is envisioned to “include study programs, academic opportunities, and even a section for hosting freelance profiles” in the future.

The blog at Languages Around the Globe is generally maintained by Brian Powers, though there are invitation for guest posts. There are around 50 articles on the blog at present. Most are the articles are quite articulate in details and reflect an elaborate depth of thought. However, updating seems to have stagnated (verified as of Mar 2024).

20. How To Get Fluent

How To Get Fluent is the language learning blog of Dr Gareth Popkins, who proclaimed not having a gift for languages but has come to speak four foreign languages and converse in five more. That being said, Dr Popkins also offers his mentoring service and courses for learning Russian and the German language through the website.

It is quite evident Dr Popkins is very open to sharing, even through the design of the blog. The whole list of articles is displayed in the archive page, and has reached over 240 as of Mar 2024. Dr Popkins’ articles are a joy to read, as they are usually packed with some humour and figurative exaggeration. For language educators and learners seeking a light-hearted approach to knowledge, Dr Popkins’ blog can a joy to revisit from time to time.

21. OptiLingo

Optilingo is an app which offers language learning in short lessons, with focus mainly on vocabulary acquisition (of the most popular or frequently used words and phrases) and speaking. It was founded by Jonty Yamisha who “discovered” a method which was more effective in achieving fluency than “outdated” ones, which enabled him to successfully learn his native language, Circassian, successfully. The key statements that characterise the OptiLingo approach includes “Master language naturally” and “Reach fluency casually”, suggesting a communicative approach that seems to take little effort. Multiple languages are offered, including a range of Asian languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese and Korean; as well as European languages such as Circassian, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Portuguese.

The blog at OptiLingo is maintained mainly by staff content creators, with contributions from the founder Jonty himself and also other guest contributors. The size of the blog is not that easily ascertained, though the architecture is clear, and articles are well organised. As with business blogs, articles do occasionally promote the product although most of the articles surveyed followed a more subtle approach.

22. FluentU

FluentU is a Hong Kong-based integrated product solution for language learning, with content hosted on the website that can only be accessed through a subscription, as well as an app to support mobile learning. The main philosophy is to use engaging and rich content, usually through interesting authentic audio and video lessons, to drive language learning. The website is multilingual in nature, where you can toggle between your languages of choice (English as default, with Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin as options), and is thus potentially useful for a wider group of audience in foreign language learning. Target languages offered include: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Korean and Portuguese.

The blog at FluentU is generally maintained mainly by staff content creators and is a typical example of one which employs an aggressive approach in advertising in the articles. The Call-to-Action instances seem to be omnipotent across the site, with frequent pop-ups, easy links, sticky ads and specific introductions. However, if you can go beyond these instances, the blog is comprehensively designed to cater to a wide range of users. There are over 300 articles dedicated for language learners and another 100 plus dedicated to language educators, with further groupings into the different target languages, with the earliest article sourced to be dated in 2021. Updates found is up till 2023 as of Mar 2024.

23. Preply

Preply is a platform which connects language tutors with learners around the globe. The tutoring lessons are conducted online and can be one-to-one or in groups. 50 languages are currently offered as advertised, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Chinese-Mandarin and Arabic. Interestingly, Math is also offered as one option.

Preply also manages a blog which allows language learners to “get advice, tools, tips and tricks” so one can “unlock potential” to learn a foreign language. Articles are categorised mainly by target languages, though there are also a number of articles pertaining to language learning in general as well as success stories. Within articles for target languages, there is further tagging to tips and resources, grammar, speaking, listening, vocabulary, for kids, etc.

24. Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most well-known and widely used language learning platforms, especially the app version. It delivers language learning mainly through the spaced repetition system and gamification, with the focus centred on vocabulary acquisition and simple grammar. Arguably, the frequent exposure to many different sentence structures through listening could potentially lead to an improvement in one’s listening skills. Lessons are generally bite-sized and thus making it easier to commit.

The website is available in an impressive 25 languages, although non-English versions may not be that “native-like” (e.g. Chinese-Mandarin). Beyond the usual repertoire of popular target languages such as English, French, Chinese-Mandarin, or Korean, Duolingo also boasts an impressive range of more rarely encountered languages in general (in language learning solutions), such as Welsh, Esperanto, Scottish Gaelic, Haitian Creole, Navajo, Klingon, or Yiddish. To a certain extent, if you’re interested in learning two or more languages just for experiential purposes, Duolingo is probably a good avenue to start.

Unsurprisingly, Duolingo manages a blog as a separate website from its main business website to document the evolution of the product, strengthen its branding, communicate exciting developments and to also share language learning tips with its users. As a disclaimer, if you are not a Duolingo user, there are quite a number of articles that will be irrelevant to you. Notwithstanding that, there are many articles written for the general language learner or learners of specific target languages. The blog has a good number of articles written since 2013 and is well designed and constructed for easy navigation.

25. Memrise

Memrise is a comprehensive language learning platform that offers a variety of tools and resources to help users master new languages, although it is most well-known for its use of flashcards in spaced repetition and AI-powered conversational practice. As declared on the website, it delivers learning with 3 main principles underpinning its approach: personal language goals and repertoire, immersion, and communicative practice.

The Memrise blog is a comprehensive resource for learners seeking to enhance their language skills. It offers a wealth of information (approximately 160 articles as of Mar 2024), including tips, tricks, and strategies, as well as insights into various languages and cultures. The content is presented in an engaging and accessible manner, making it easy for readers of all levels to understand and apply the information. Additionally, the blog is regularly updated with fresh content, ensuring that we always have access to the latest information and resources.

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Conclusion: My Top 5 Recommended Blogs (Unbiased)

By default, I always put a disclosure statement in every of my post as I do show ads on this website as they help to keep this sustainable. However, I can also declare upfront that the 5 blogs which I have recognised as the top 5 (amongst the 25 and even others I have not included) are not affiliated to me in any way. This is also not a sponsored post.

With that out of the way, which are then the top 5? My ranking as below, in order:

How did I come to this conclusion? I must highlight that the ranking is not meant to be a relative value judgement of the various blogs. Different language learning blogs were built with various value propositions in mind and may not necessarily be catering to readers of Language Educators Assemble (LEA). Furthermore, there was also a struggle in deciding the exact 5, as there are quite a number of comparable language learning blogs. The main goal is to help some of us focus on a few language learning blogs if we did not have time for 25 of them. That being said, my considerations in ranking were as follows:

Based on such criteria, if you do know of a blogger that should be mentioned here because of his/her innovations in language learning (e.g. someone who makes comics on every language topic you can imagine), whether language-specific (e.g. directed to learning Spanish only) or multilingual in nature, do contact us to make the suggestion and I’ll further update this list! Otherwise, I will commit to make this an annual exercise to refresh the content as necessary.

If you were also wondering, I did not include “LANGUAGE EDUCATORS ASSEMBLE” as this website is not positioned to be part of “language learning blogs”, but more as an integrated platform to connect and inspire language educators. I strive to create content for every category I assess to be important for language educators. Hopefully at a later mature stage, we can also look forward to comprehensive guides and resources, plus a thriving community!

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