No Japanese on Babbel: Here Are 5 Great Alternatives

Do you love J-pop and would like to sing along with your favorite stars? Are you planning to travel to Japan for the holidays or study? Alternatively, you may simply want to add a new language to your collection. But whatever reasons you have for learning Japanese, it is one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Compared to French or Spanish, Japanese is not a popular language that people learn, especially in the United States. However, year after year, the language continues to spread around the world. In addition, there are thousands of Japanese-speaking communities worldwide.

If you have learned foreign languages for a while, you must have heard of Babbel. Babbel is one of the top language learning apps for learning new languages. It could take several years of consistent study to become fluent in Japanese using the right resources. But is there Babbel Japanese?

Is There Babbel Japanese?

Babbel is a well-marketed and top-rated language learning app and has been very successful with several languages. Based on reviews from different language lovers using the app, Babbel can get you to fluency in any language of your choice. Babbel language courses teach language basics and will also help you start making conversations easily.

In addition, Babbel also offers engaging and interactive language lessons that target communication skills such as speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Depending on your choice of language, the app can also help you build a good foundation through its intensive lessons. Furthermore, the app also uses several learning exercises such as flashcards, quizzes, and speaking drills to help improve your skills.

Sadly, as successful as Babbel is, it has not been able to break into the East Asian language market. So, Babbel Japanese is not included in the list of languages available on Babbel for now. It’s shocking, considering the long list of languages on Babbel. Despite the high demand for Japanese courses on Babbel, the language app does not offer it just yet. However, that does not mean there are no other options for you. Scroll down as we discuss some awesome alternatives.

Babbel Japanese Alternatives

There is no Japanese on Babbel just yet, but that does not mean there is a shortage of great language apps to learn Japanese. Regardless of your learning style, you will definitely not run out of options. These apps will teach the Japanese alphabet, pronunciation, and grammar. It will also improve your communication skills.

Here are a few great Babbel alternatives to learning Japanese.

Pimsleur

Pimsleur is a great alternative to learning Japanese, as you can follow the audio lessons on-the-go. The Japanese lessons on Pimsleur are easy to understand and manageable; and you will be able to speak some basic Japanese words from your first class. In addition, the lessons are built on previous interactions so that you don’t forget the vocabulary you learned earlier.

The 30-minute audio lessons do not involve only listening to native Japanese speakers, instead you get to repeat everything you hear. This gets you speaking even from your first lesson. With Pimsleur, you will gradually learn new phrases until you can speak confidently.

Although the language app is an audio-only language course which is very different from Babbel’s approach, it focuses on expressions and vocabulary. The Pimsleur method prepares you for the phrases, vocabulary, and greeting you will need to get by on your journey to Japan. The app is the best option for anyone who wants a quick but deep way to learn Japanese.

Mondly

Mondly language app is the best option for Japanese beginners who want to learn Japanese basics quickly. The course is easy to understand, and you can complete the language lessons in the order you wish to, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.

If you desire bite-sized but detailed Japanese lessons, then Mondly is the best language app. Similar to Babbel, the app recommends 19 minutes of commitment, although the lessons make it feel like playing rather than learning.

The app’s engaging lessons target all language skills using audio guides, chatbot conversations, and real-life dialogues. Although it won’t teach you how to write in Japanese, it lets you toggle between Japanese script and Romanization. In addition, the app’s voice recognition is precise and comes in really handy when you are building your accent and pronunciation.

Busuu

Busuu is another famous Japanese language learning app with a lot of distinctive features. One of such features is the language community it offers to its users. You can interact with other language lovers and native Japanese speakers in the community. Communicating with fellow learners or Japanese speakers can motivate you to continue learning Japanese and get answers to your questions.

Busuu lessons are straightforward and concise and can get you to speak basic Japanese in no time. The courses are divided into several chapters, and you will need to unlock them gradually as you continue learning. There is also a review session on the app, which is divided into vocabulary and grammar tabs. These tabs are subdivided into three collections which indicates what your learning focus should be regarding vocabulary and grammar. 

Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps worldwide. It is renowned for its free language courses. Duolingo has about 38 languages for English speakers, which includes Japanese. Japanese courses on Duolingo contain six units, and each unit is designed with multiple lessons. Although it sounds easy, you have to work hard to unlock the next lesson.

Duolingo Japanese is designed to introduce basic words and phrases and improve your comprehension of sentence structure. Furthermore, there are language tips in the form of articles to teach you the corresponding Japanese culture and grammar. Duolingo’s reward mechanism motivates you to keep learning, especially when you finish a lesson and unlock a new one. As you progress through the levels, you can gradually unlock several Japanese stories that revolve around different characters.

Conclusion

Babbel is one of the best language apps to learn any language. But, until Babbel develops a course for Japanese, you can learn Japanese with these incredible alternatives. As you can see, learning Japanese with these apps does not mean you are settling for less. These apps can meet your learning goals and suit your learning style better. So, don’t waste too much time waiting for Babbel to release the Japanese course. Give any of these alternatives a go, and enjoy learning.

Babbel Japanese FAQ

What is the best free app to learn Japanese?

Duolingo is one of the most appreciated apps for its free courses. The language app includes an entire Japanese course for language lovers learning the basics and those who want to build their intermediate skills.

Is Duolingo good for advanced Japanese learners?

Duolingo is the perfect app for Japanese beginners and intermediate learners because it covers vocabulary building, sentence structure, basic topics, and grammar. However, for advanced learners, Duolingo might not be useful for their level.

How long will it take me to become fluent in Japanese?

It takes about 6-12 months on average for someone learning from scratch to become conversational in Japanese. However, becoming fluent can take about two years with the right resources and commitment.