On your way to work, to school, while you wait for the bus, or before going to sleep in bed…Any of these moments are good to dedicate a few minutes to improve your knowledge and skills in a second language. It is common, both in adults and in younger students, to find a lack of time to dedicate to the learning of another language. We tend not to find the time to go to classes or to a study room to make the exercises sent by our teacher.

Together with the fact that society is dedicating increasingly more time to use their personal digital devices connected to the Internet is leading to the development of applications to fill in the time gaps that people have during the day and at the same time to try to catch their attention with these apps the most time possible. For it, developers and product designers are studying the ways on how to keep a user connected the longest time or as many times during the day. In the case of apps for second language learning, two of the keys to make this possible: motivation and quick results. Fast and easy exercises to make within minutes where the user learns everyday basic language knowledge.

Should we consider an app a primary tool to learn a language? Many users are motivated to start learning a language by using online apps, which can be considered positive to the increase of language students. Though it has been questioned in studies how can apps provide feedback, to an extent, as well as to self-correct exercises. Other questions are, how effective is it and how many hours does a user need to dedicate in order to obtain a certain level. Here is when we could say that it may be useful to support those ‘app classes’ with other tools, which could be a combination of online teaching, with online classes and having a tutor to follow up, give feedback and response to queries; and online more extensive courses which could enhance the learning experience.

The reality is that apps are driving new users to get started with a second language. The challenge for apps now is to retain the interest and to show a real evolution in the learning process.