You may have heard the news…
Babbel ended their Babbel Live service.
Babbel Live refers to live online classes, group or private, that you can attend from the comfort of your own home.
So, what are the Babbel Live alternatives?
If you want something similar to Babbel’s offering…
One good alternative is….
1. Innovative Language – Live Online Classes
Innovative Language is the company behind popular language programs like JapanesePod101, KoreanClass101, SpanishPod101 and 31 other languages.
Their learning method is teaching you a language through everyday conversations… where you hear a conversation between native speakers and then get everything explained. Audio/video-based lessons.
They also offer Live Group Classes (up to 5 learners) and Live Private Classes (1-on-1 classes) where you learn and practice with their native teachers.
To learn more, you can click the links below.
| Chinese – Group Classes – Private Classes | Dutch – Group Classes – Private Classes | French – Group Classes – Private Classes |
| German – Group Classes – Private Classes | Greek – Group Classes – Private Classes | Hebrew – Group Classes – Private Classes |
| Italian – Group Classes – Private Classes | Japanese – Group Classes – Private Classes | Korean – Group Classes – Private Classes |
| Portuguese – Group Classes – Private Classes | Russian – Group Classes – Private Classes | Spanish – Group Classes – Private Classes |
| Thai – Group Classes – Private Classes |
Live Group Classes work in 10 week bursts (semesters) and Private Classes continue for as long as you continue.
- Good points
- Good if you’re familiar with their learning system – if you’ve learned with the Pod101/Class101 sites, the classes add a layer of real life practice on top of it all
- Classes for different levels – meaning you get to go higher up, instead of taking the same level forever and wondering where your language is heading
- You can learn with their system on your own time since you get free access on top of the class
- Essentially all done for you — you attend and everything is planned out and provided – the material, curriculum, and so on.
- More focus on practice – Good use of your time – With most language classes, you show up. the teacher teaches and explains tings, and then if you have time, you practice. Sadly, more time goes into the learning than the actual practice. With Innovative, you learn ahead of time, and practice in class… so the class is dedicated more to practice.
How Do You Learn?
As with other live classes…
You pick a time, enroll, and show up every week to the classes.
In Innovative Language’s case, their classes follow a similar curriculum to that of their learning program.
You learn a basic dialogue along with the grammar and vocabulary inside. You practice it all with the teacher and other students (if with Group Classes). And you get feedback and corrections along the way.
Essentially an online language school class and all you have to do is show up.
You also get homework/lessons to do ahead of classes so that you can learn on your own… and then practice that in the class…
Instead of just coming to class or lesson and being taught… which is not a good use of time… because class time goes into both listening to the teacher talk and hoping you have enough time to practice.
2. iTalki & Preply
Next on the list are these tutor market places.
iTalki and Preply are not language classes or courses per se, but places where you can shop around to hire a language teacher or tutor.
Of course, quality of tutors will vary… and the teaching style and material will be different per person — they may be using material that you don’t have or have to buy.
But, both sites are well known and are good enough Babbel Live alternatives.
Good points
- Wide variety of teachers to choose from – which may be good or bad depending on them
- Wide variety of teaching style – everyone has their own way
Back to You
If you’re looking for Babbel Live alternatives, then I think Innovative’s Live Group/Private Classes work just well.
Feel free to try ’em out.