So, let me start with a confession—I didn’t exactly need to learn English, but I was curious. After all, people rave about Babbel, and since I’ve used it for other languages (hello, Portuguese, Italian, and Turkish), I thought, “Why not test it for English?”
Plus, it’s always fun to see how an app handles a language you already know.
So, here we are—my journey of re-learning English with Babbel.
Spoiler alert: It was eye-opening and, dare I say, humbling.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
PROs
- Engaging and Easy to Use
- Clear Grammar Explanations
- Personalized Review Sessions
CONs
- Limited Casual English
- Advanced Learners May Need More
- Lack of Speaking Practice
My Experience With Babbel’s English Course
First things first, Babbel is just as user-friendly for English as it is for all the other language courses the app offers. I’ve tried a few language apps in my time, and let me tell you, some of them feel like you need a degree just to figure out the menu (#NoThankYou!).
Babbel? Not a chance.
I was in, switching my language course, and learning English (again) within minutes.
Now, since I already speak English, I skipped the basic stuff—like learning how to say “hello” (I’ve got that down, thank you very much).
But if you’re starting fresh, Babbel eases you in gently. The lessons start with greetings, basic vocabulary, and simple grammar, so you’re not overwhelmed.
Honestly, it felt like walking down memory lane, remembering those early language struggles in primary school in Ukraine and realizing just how much I’ve taken for granted.
We all know English can be tricky—silent letters, anyone?
And here’s the thing: Even as someone who’s English-fluent, I found myself nodding along and saying, “Oh yeah, that’s why we do that.” It’s like Babbel was filling in gaps I didn’t even realize I had. Or, well, reminding me of the peculiarities of Shakespeare’s language (although, thank goodness it’s progressed since then!).
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Babbel’s Registration Process
Signing up for Babbel is quick. Visit the app’s homepage and choose the language you want to learn.
Or download the app, sign in or create an account, and follow the prompts.
If you are familiar with Babbel, but want to learn English, you can do the first couple of lessons for free – unless you already have a Lifetime plan.
So choose your target language—English, in this case—and answer a few questions (like the following) to customize your learning path.
Why do you want to learn English?
How much time can you dedicate each day?
What’s your learning style?
Once you’ve answered those, you’re good to go. You can explore a free trial if you’re not ready to commit, but I have a Lifetime plan since I’m committed to these experiments.
And as easy as that, I was ready to tackle my first English lesson!
The English Course Structure and Learning Path on Babbel
Babbel’s English course is structured in a way that makes sense. The app covers everything from basic vocabulary and grammar to more advanced topics like conversation skills, idioms, and even business English.
The lessons are divided into levels, so you start with the basics and work your way up, gradually building your knowledge. But you can also choose targeted English topics, which is ideal if you need to prepare for a trip or a work situation.
One thing I noticed is how Babbel handles those tricky English grammar rules. You know, the ones that make you question life—like why “I read” can mean two different things depending on the tense, or why “through,” “though,” and “thorough” are even allowed to exist (#BrainScratchers).
Babbel breaks them down into digestible chunks, so you don’t feel like you’re drowning in grammar confusion. It’s all spaced out nicely, which keeps you motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
If you navigate to the “Explore” tab, you can access:
Grammar tips
Podcasts like “Sam & Ted’s Famous Last Words,” “English Trips,” “Talking on the Job,” and “Babbel News – English Only,”
Culture tips and facts
Games
Babbel Magazine
Babbel’s Self-Study Lessons to Learn English
Each lesson follows a familiar format: You learn new vocabulary or grammar, practice it through listening, reading, and speaking exercises, and then review what you’ve learned.
As someone who already speaks English, I found the listening exercises particularly useful. Even though I understand the language, hearing it in different accents and contexts made me realize just how diverse English can be.
Psst… You can choose whether you want to learn American or British English on Babbel
The speech recognition tool is also pretty neat, but unfortunately, you don’t get real-time feedback on what you said wrong or how to improve your pronunciation. A real-life person is ideal for this kind of thing, and why I recommend making some native English friends, doing language exchange, or getting a tutor.
The First English Lesson on Babbel
For those starting from scratch, Babbel’s first English lesson kicks off with the basics. Think “Hello!” and “How are you?”—the usual suspects. You’ll start with some simple greetings and essential vocabulary like “good morning” and “thank you.”
These types of exercises repeat with the next set of vocabulary.
And the lesson ends with a real-life situation where you use what you’ve learned. In this case, it’s a housewarming party where you’re practicing greetings and other vocab.
The first lesson really eases you in, so it’s perfect for beginners who might feel a bit intimidated by English’s reputation as a tricky language.
You can easily repeat the lesson if you feel like you need more practice, or simply move onto the next bite-sized lesson.
And as someone who already knows English, I appreciated how well the lesson was structured. It didn’t feel like a random jumble of words—everything flowed, building on what you’ve just learned.
How Babbel’s Lessons Compare to Real English
Okay, here’s where things got interesting. Babbel does a fantastic job of teaching formal, everyday English, which is great for travel, work, and polite conversations.
But what about real-life English? You know, the kind you hear in movies, TV shows, and, well, everyday life? It’s a bit more relaxed and often full of slang, idioms, and contractions.
For example, Babbel might teach you how to say, “How are you today?” (very polite and formal), but in real life, you’re probably going to hear “How’s it going?” or “What’s up?”
And don’t even get me started on English slang—there’s a whole world of casual phrases that Babbel doesn’t dive too deeply into.
So while Babbel gives you a solid foundation, you’ll need to supplement with real-world exposure to get the hang of casual, conversational English.
But honestly, that’s to be expected. No app is going to give you the full picture of a language in one go. Babbel sets you up nicely, but it’s up to you to take it from there.
How Much English Can You Learn With Babbel?
Babbel is perfect for beginners and intermediate learners. It gives you the tools to understand and speak everyday English, from ordering a coffee to asking for directions (and more). You’ll also be able to hold simple conversations and pick up on basic grammar structures.
But if you’re hoping to become fluent or master advanced English (think idiomatic expressions, nuanced grammar, or writing skills), you’ll need more than just Babbel.
For example, while Babbel introduces idioms, it doesn’t dive as deeply into them as you might need to really sound natural in casual conversations. Intermediate and advanced learners will likely find themselves looking for other resources to fill in those gaps.
That being said, Babbel is a fantastic stepping stone. It gives you a strong base, and once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore other resources like podcasts, TV shows, and language exchanges to take your English to the next level.
Pros of Learning English With Babbel: What I Like
Engaging and Easy to Use: Babbel’s intuitive interface and short lessons make it easy to stay motivated, even on busy days. It’s perfect for people who don’t have hours to dedicate to studying.
Clear Grammar Explanations: English grammar can be a bit of a minefield, but Babbel does a great job breaking it down into manageable pieces. You don’t feel like you’re being thrown into the deep end.
Personalized Review Sessions: Babbel’s review feature uses spaced repetition to help reinforce what you’ve learned, making it easier to remember vocabulary and phrases over the long term. It’s a great way to keep concepts fresh without feeling repetitive.
Practical, Real-Life Dialogues: Babbel focuses on everyday conversations, so you’re not just learning vocabulary and grammar—you’re learning how to apply it in real-world situations. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing for work scenarios or social interactions in English.
Cultural Relevance: Babbel includes cultural insights and tips, which makes learning more interesting and helps you understand how language and culture are connected.
Cons of Learning English With Babbel: What Could Be Improved
Limited Casual English: Babbel focuses a lot on formal English, which is great for work or travel, but if you want to sound more like a native speaker in casual conversations, you’ll need to explore additional resources.
Advanced Learners May Need More: While Babbel is perfect for beginners and intermediates, advanced learners might find it too basic after a certain point. If you’re aiming for fluency, Babbel is a great start, but you’ll need to supplement with more advanced materials.
Lack of Speaking Practice: While the speech recognition tool is great, it’s not a substitute for real conversations with native speakers. If you want to become conversationally fluent, you’ll need to find a language exchange partner or tutor.
Babbel Subscription Costs and Pricing Options
| Babbel Self-Study Subscription Costs | |
| To Learn Only One Language | |
| 3-month plan | US$9.95 per month |
| 6-month plan | US$8.45 per month (save 15%) |
| 12-month plan | US$6.95 per month (save 45%) |
| To Learn All 15 Languages | |
| Lifetime plan | One-off US$299 (discounted from US$599) |
| Babbel Live Subscription Costs | ||
| Subscription Plan | Group Classes | Private Classes |
| 1-month plan | US$99 per month | US$149 per month |
| 3-month plan | US$70 per month (save 30%) | US$127 per month (save 15%) |
| 6-month plan | US$60 per month (save 40%) | US$112 per month (save 25%) |
| 12-month plan | US$50 per month (save 50%) | ;”>US$75 per month (save 50%) |
Is Babbel Suitable If You Want to Learn English?
In short: Yes! For beginners and intermediate learners, Babbel is an excellent resource to kickstart your English learning journey.
It’s structured, easy to use, and covers all the essentials you need to start speaking English confidently.
For more advanced learners, Babbel is a great tool to reinforce what you already know, but you’ll likely need additional resources to reach fluency.
Personally, even as someone who already speaks English, I found Babbel to be a fun and insightful way to brush up on my skills. So if you’re looking to improve your English—whether for work, travel, or just because—you can’t go wrong with Babbel.
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Conclusion: My English Journey With Babbel
Learning (or rather, revisiting) English with Babbel has been a surprisingly fun experience. Even though I already speak the language, Babbel helped me see it from a learner’s perspective (again), and I have a newfound appreciation for just how complex English can be.
If you’re starting your English journey, Babbel is a great tool to build a solid foundation. It’s easy to use and the lessons are engaging. While it might not get you to fluency on its own, it’s definitely a great place to start.
Happy learning!
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Disclaimer: I select and review independently. If you buy through affiliate links, I may earn commissions that help support my testing at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.
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