Speaking of Busuu.....

Today I'm reviewing a mobile App for language learning called BUSUU. My selection was based on the fact that it was 1) free, 2) interactive, and 3) covered listening, speaking, vocabulary, reading, and writing.  It was also current, having last been updated on June 24, 2015. There are many ESL apps floating around that simply are not kept up to date.  I used Version 7.0, 51.6MB, and I'm guessing that it's published in Europe, but unsure of which country. The website is located at: http://www.busuu.com, and the mobile app may be downloaded onto Apple or Android devices by clicking a button at the bottom of the home screen.

I was intrigued by the name Busuu, and it turns out to be a language used in Cameroon.  According to the website, there was "an ethnological study in the 1980's" claiming that "Busuu is spoken by only 8 people."  Hoping that there would be more by 2015, I checked Wikipedia and found that as of 2005 there were only 3!!! The two developers hope to have Busuu as one of the languages that can be studied on the app someday!  They'd best get busy. As it stands, the following languages are offered: English (UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Turkish. Apparently, there are "more than 45 million users globally," and PC Magazine cites it as a "Best Free Language Learning App."

The website/app is simply designed and easy to navigate.  I selected English as my target language, and worked through a Beginner (A1) lesson as well as an Intermediate (B1.1) lesson. Other levels are offered, along with a Travel Course and a Business Course. Words and phrases were spoken with a clear British accent in both male and female voices.  Visual images of words were also provided; graphics, sound, and colors were realistic. I moved through both lessons with no problems.  The first was about greeting people and the second was about giving opinions on art and film.  Along the way, the learner receives immediate feedback and lots of encouragement. I deliberately made mistakes in order to see what happened, and still received praise to continue. The lessons utilize click- and- drag modes in order for the learner to construct sentences or put phrases in correct order.  There are also fill-in-the-blanks questions. I felt that all the words and settings presented were very appropriate. At the end of each lesson, a summary of the learner's answers appears. (I even won "Busuu Berries!")

I would recommend this product as a supplemental activity for learners who primarily need to practice their speaking skills, vocabulary, and pronunciation.  I like that it offers several different levels and varies the tasks. I might ask a student to do certain lessons as homework, or as an in-class activity.  It's possible to earn a Busuu Certificate if one goes through all of the lessons in a category, so that might serve as a good "extra-credit" assignment. To my surprise, after I had signed off, a beeping noise blurted from my laptop, and three people asked to chat with me in English! I hadn't realized this was part of the software, and declined them since I had to go to a meeting.  But this feature offers instant, two-way "collaborative learning" for those who wish to partake. I only tested the free section of Busuu, so I'm unsure of the Premier Package that is offered for a monthly fee.