Clozemaster expert review + alternatives to master Italian

Intro

Hey everyone! In this video, I’m taking a closer look at Clozemaster, an app that helps you learn languages through context — especially if you’re already at an upper-beginner or intermediate level. I’ve been trying it out to practice Italian, and I want to share how it works, what I liked, and what could be improved.

What Clozemaster is

So, what exactly is Clozemaster? It’s a language-learning platform built entirely around cloze tests — basically, fill-in-the-blank exercises using real sentences. Instead of learning isolated words from flashcards, you’re exposed to complete Italian sentences where one word is missing, and you have to fill it in. You can either choose from multiple options or type the answer yourself, depending on how challenging you want it to be. The app calls this approach “learning vocabulary in context,” and that’s exactly what it does.

First impressions

When I first opened it, I immediately noticed the retro, video game–style interface — it’s simple, maybe even a little old-school, but fun. There’s a leaderboard, daily goals, and a point system that keeps you motivated. I like how it feels like a little game rather than a formal study session. Once you create a free account and select Italian, you’ll see different learning modes: vocabulary, listening, and speaking. You can start with the “Fluency Fast Track,” which organizes words by frequency — so you learn the most common ones first, like essere, avere, or fare, before moving into more advanced or less frequent terms.

How it works in practice

When I started a round, I chose the vocabulary option with ten sentences. Each one shows an Italian sentence with a missing word and the English translation below it. After you fill in the blank correctly, you hear the sentence read aloud in Italian. That’s a nice touch — you don’t just learn the word, you also get used to the rhythm and pronunciation. You earn points for each correct answer, and if you make mistakes, the same sentences reappear later thanks to Clozemaster’s spaced repetition system. Basically, the app brings words back after a few days or rounds, depending on how well you remembered them.

Learning modes & features

If you want a little variety, there are also grammar challenges and reading exercises. The grammar challenges focus on areas like prepositions, pronouns, and verb conjugations. They follow the same format — fill in the blank — but they’re great for reviewing patterns and noticing how grammar works in real sentences. There’s also a reading section, called Cloze-Reading, with longer texts. You fill in missing words as you read. Some of these passages can be pretty technical or formal — many are taken from Wikipedia — so I’d say they’re more useful for advanced learners who already understand most Italian structures. For listening and speaking practice, Clozemaster includes audio-based rounds where you either hear a sentence and complete it, or try saying it yourself. The pronunciation recognition works fairly well, though it’s not perfect — it’s more like light speaking practice than a full conversation tool.

My experience using it for Italian

After using Clozemaster for a while, I noticed how quickly my brain started recognizing new Italian words in different contexts. The constant exposure to real sentences made it easier to remember phrases naturally — without feeling like I was memorizing. However, I also realized that Clozemaster isn’t ideal if you’re a total beginner. The sentences start at a level that assumes you already know some Italian grammar and basic vocabulary. If you’re starting from zero, it might feel overwhelming. But if you already have some foundation and want to expand your vocabulary fast, it’s a really effective and enjoyable way to do it.

Pros & Cons summary

Here’s what stands out to me: On the positive side, I love how contextual it is — you see how words are actually used, not just their dictionary meanings. The huge number of sentences — over 240,000 for Italian alone — gives you endless material to practice with. The gamified structure keeps you motivated, and the free version is surprisingly generous. On the other hand, there’s no clear progression — you just get a mix of words and sentences, so it can feel random. The interface is a bit cluttered, and the reading materials are sometimes too dry or advanced. And while it helps you understand and recognize Italian better, it won’t teach you how to speak fluently or explain grammar in detail.

Final thoughts

Overall, I’d say Clozemaster is best for intermediate learners who want to build vocabulary fast and enjoy learning through repetition. It’s easy to pick up, surprisingly addictive, and fun if you like the game-style format. It’s not a complete language course — but it’s a great supplement for daily Italian practice, especially if you already know the basics. And if you’re looking for something a bit different — something that focuses more on real-life Italian and helps you improve naturally through listening and speaking — there’s another tool that I would definitely recommend checking out next.