Joseph Lo Bianco, President of the Pharos Alliance
Introduction
These days we can’t escape machine learning, AI and apps.
There are hundreds or even thousands of apps for language learning. The most popular and effective ones use varying degrees of gamification, and this concept is what I will discuss here. The most popular apps use gamification (game-like features) in the belief that this will improve learning, stimulate motivation, and reinforce material that is learned.
The large number of apps available can create a bewildering range of choices, so it pays to read reviews, think about your own preferred style of learning, and your language learning goals. For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, especially the higher quality ones, can be a very useful addition to your program. Ideally, you will be studying with a teacher, or a tutor, and you will use the app to extend, enrich or practice what you are learning from a professional educator.
Apps are a boom business. I have seen estimates that the global market for language learning apps was $22 billion US in 2024 and is expected to triple in the next decade. With the rise of digital education, and demand for multilingual skills in a globalising world, millions of people are choosing, and using, language learning apps. In this Pharos Tip I will mainly speak of the gamification factor, but other things to look out for are AI-powered tutors which some apps incorporate. Intelligent tutoring systems are also booming, and language learning apps will increasingly add AI-tutors to gamification.
Gamification
As the main distinguishing feature of language learning apps, gamification aims to replace routines in traditional language learning (rote practice) with interactivity, designed for participation, curiosity stimulation, progress rewards and enjoyment. Gamification is popular with people whose traditional learning experience wasn’t very successful.
Integrating game-like elements and mechanics into the learning process usually includes:
- A personal learning pathway: Many apps claim that they are personalised to your needs, so they may ask questions about your goals, past experiences and preferences. Based on this information the app then creates a tailor-made pathway for you, so you can track your effort, performance and achievements. I’ve asked users of apps about this aspect of the learning experience and most find it valuable.
- Achievement markers: These often take the form of badges the user earns to reward them for getting to a certain level or achieving an agreed milestone. Achievement markers provide encouragement because progress is acknowledged, a sense of accomplishment is fostered, and effort is rewarded. Sometimes achievement markers are points, which users earn for completing tasks, lessons, or other goals, and these can unlock higher order features, or new content. Some achievement markers involve comparisons with your own prior level, or with other users, and you might be listed on a classification, like a football leaderboard, all of which aim to create amicable competitiveness.
- Exercises: The bulk of what you will find on the app are interactive exercises, with feedback on your performance, a chance to review or repeat an exercise to advance through the stages of your personal learning pathway.
- Narratives or Storytelling: Some apps go deeper into conversation, storytelling or narratives, or can incorporate AI tutors, avatars and ‘friends’, to create immersive learning, or ‘real-world’ conversations. Users can be tutored in Greek without being aware of their process of language acquisition.
I will now review, with absolutely no recommendation, a range of apps. Not all apps offer Greek. Babbel for example, is a very well-regarded subscription-only app, but it doesn’t offer Greek. However, if you really want to do ‘due diligence’ it might be worth looking at Babbel because while it does have some gamified elements it is mostly not a game-based app, and this might help you decide if game-elements are your thing.
Duolingo
I have used Duolingo for some Greek lessons myself, and some years ago I followed an extended program on Duolingo for Portuguese in preparation for a visit to Portugal. I found the Portuguese program very effective and engaging. I was impressed by the design and pacing of the lessons, the corrective feedback, and the content. Later this year when I visit Greece, I will reactivate my study of Greek. I found Duolingo to be an attractive design for beginners (though with Portuguese I wasn’t strictly a beginner).
Duolingo is primarily free, with an optional subscription level called Super Duolingo, so, in effect, the courses and features for study of Greek on Duolingo are free to anyone. The free version carries ads, which are removed in the Super Duolingo version, and if you find ads distracting then a subscription makes sense. There are other advantages with the subscription level, mainly unlimited practice, but stories and podcasts attached to the app, can be accessed in both versions.
However, in April 2025 the CEO of Duolingo Luis von Ahn, announced the company was moving to a corporate strategy involving reducing (firing) human contractors and relying on AI for content creation. This means that tutors (living human beings), will be ‘phased out’ and content creation (the language sentences and translation of those sentences to be inserted into different language activities for Duolingo lessons), will increasingly be created by AI. There was a strong public reaction to this announcement with concern for job losses and for a decline in the language quality of the app. The company has tried to assure its investors and customers and the wider public that it remains committed to its human workforce and the quality of its app. You need to decide for yourself, but I have decided not to use Duolingo again, and for my next Greek intensive course I will look for a human tutor, an intensive immersion program, and supplement these with an app that values humans.
Memrise
Memrise seems to have a large suite of Greek language learning resources and on their website and on reviews I have read in preparing this article Memrise seems committed to providing language content that helps learners use Greek in practical, everyday situations. The lessons are created by Greek speaking humans, mostly native speakers or non-native but fluent or expert speakers. Memrise courses start from beginners’ level for modern Greek and various gradations upwards. Memrise use scenarios on practical needs, so you get immersed in conversations about topics or challenges of travel, work and recreation. The app uses gamified flashcards including real-world videos. There is a free platform and a subscription level available. Some online reviews I have read state that Duolingo is better for grammar and Memrise for vocabulary, but I can’t vouch for whether this is true or reliable, and users need to make their own decisions about these things.
Drops
This app seems like a very attractive and well-designed option, and the Greek section is visually engaging with a clear gamified approach supporting users to learn new phrases and words in contemporary modern Greek. There is a free platform and a subscription level option. Drops seems to specialise in vocabulary acquisition and this might suit some learners, and many of their short-duration lessons incorporate mini games. These aim to create habit formation, so be prepared for repetition, and spacing, and remember that building vocab, i.e. words and phrases (not grammar, or conversational skills) is what Drops does, so if you want wide-ranging conversational support then Drops might be best as a supplement to another app or approach. Gamification aims to take the users attention away from the effort or work-like structure of traditional classes and make the focus ‘fun’, with set pieces for consistent practice. Drops only needs a few minutes per day, and parents might find it convenient to include a few Drops sessions in a home Greek language program for their children.
Mondly
This is another option that offers Greek and includes both interactive lessons and gamified activities in a ‘daily lessons’ format, though this is probably modifiable. As for cost, I could only see a free trial, followed by an introductory free platform, so there may not be a completely free basic version. In addition to monthly and yearly subscriptions options there is a ‘lifetime option’! On the trial version, called ‘Hello’, Mondly offers engaging and attractive lessons linked to a chatbot, to help you explore further options. I can’t evaluate the quality or effectiveness of Mondly, but the gamification seems to be of a high standard. Mondly claims that it helps build practical language through vocabulary expansion and sentence structure learning, with themes and activities from everyday life. There are also grammar lessons available for those who want to refine their knowledge of Greek and improve their accuracy and expression beyond the basics.
Other apps that offer modern Greek:
- Rosetta Stone, this seems particularly good for immersion. A learner can get the flow and sense of Greek conversations and settings, but it seems to have a traditional lessons approach.
- LingQ, offers Greek reading with interactive subtitles. If you already read Greek, this will help improve reading comprehension and a user can import Greek texts. Subtitles are used to translate unfamiliar words, and this supports your growth as a reader, so you don’t stumble over unfamiliar words that might interrupt your flow of reading.
- GreekPod101, has attractive looking video lessons and a range of audio with a focus on real-life conversations. This is valuable for cultural knowledge and for familiarising a learner with daily life situations.
- Pimsleur, focus mostly or strongly on pronunciation and helping learners listen and hear more accurately, benefitting speech comprehension.
- Tandem, helps users practice Greek in interaction with native speakers, I haven’t checked to see how it operates or read reviews of its effectiveness.
- Talkpal, an AI language teacher, for speaking, listening, writing and pronunciation. I haven’t checked it out closely, but it seems to be well designed.
- From Alpha to Omega, a beginning course in Classical Greek, it might be useful for learning the Greek alphabet.
- Jumpspeak, focuses on conversations, and uses AI to stimulate dialogues. It claims to promote rapid fluency.
Conclusion
Nothing beats having a professionally trained teacher, or tutor, regular lessons and occasional immersion. Apps, however, can be an excellent supplement, and for specific purposes they can be ideal. Combining a well-chosen app, with a structured program, is best.
*Joseph Lo Bianco is Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. He is also the President of Pharos Alliance, dedicated to preserving Greek language in Australia.
Do you have a question you would like the Pharos Alliance to answer, send your query to editor@foreignlanguage.com.au.
FULL PHAROS TIPS SERIES:
TIP 1: My child doesn’t want to go to Greek school. What can I do?
TIP 2: Help! After 7 years of Greek School, my child still doesn’t know the alphabet
TIP 3: How can I support my child’s Greek language learning at home?
TIP 4: I failed Greek as a kid, can I learn Greek as an adult?
TIP 5: How to make sure kids get language learning on their Greek holiday
TIP 6: I try to use Greek, but they always reply in English…
TIP 7: My partner doesn’t speak Greek – Can we still raise bilingual kids?
