How I test and score
I sift through the plethora of language apps, delivering reviews based on deep expertise in language learning and teaching.
My review process starts with an initial walk-through, using the app for at least 15 minutes to capture first impressions and usability.
I then conduct a criteria-based evaluation focusing on key features like spaced repetition, user customization, and the balance between educational content and gamification.
My reviews are thorough, with a scoring system that emphasizes course quality (70%) over user experience (20%) and price (10%).
Importantly, I do not receive payment for these reviews.
Learn more on my review policy and process page.
Summary
Course quality
User experience
Pricing
Pros
- Interactive conversation practice
- Progress tracking
- Leaderboard for competitive learning
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Inconsistent audio quality
- Limited free content
- AI interactions need improvement
- Heavy focus on vocabulary
Best suited for
Beginners looking to enhance their Italian vocabulary through structured lessons and some conversation practice.
At a glance
App name
Mondly
Made by
Pearson plc
User base
Sentiment
- Technical Glitches: Many users experience bugs, such as audio not loading, app freezing, and incorrect answer recognition.
- Convenient Layout: The easy-to-use layout and the ability to quickly revise learned words and phrases are praised by users.
- Lesson Format: Users dislike the strict lesson format that requires restarting after mistakes and lack of flexibility in redoing missed parts.
- Content Accuracy: Users report inaccuracies in language content, such as incorrect phrases and grammar points, which cause confusion.
- Notification Overload: Users are annoyed by excessive notifications being sent to both email and phone.
Concept
Mondly Italian offers a basic array of exercises to help users practice. It also counts with some options to practice speaking, although in their current state they feel unfinished.
Available on
Web, iOS, Android
Levels covered
(A0) Total beginner, (A1) Beginner, (A2) Elementary, (B1) Intermediate, (B2) Upper-intermediate
41 languages taught
Afrikaans, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Pricing, free trial, refunds
Pricing
Free trial
Refunds
First-hand review
Walk-through
Language learning apps have become indispensable tools for polyglots and beginners alike. Today, I\’ll share my personal experience with the Mondly Italian app. This review will focus primarily on how well the app helps users improve their speaking skills.
Getting Started with Mondly Italian
When you open the website, you\’re greeted with an interesting map interface filled with various topic-based options. These categories represent the different lessons you can undertake.
An important note: I used the free version of the app for this review and did not explore the premium features.
Audio Speed and Consistency
While testing the various exercises Mondly has to offer, I found that the audio clips varied in speed and quality. Some pronunciations were too fast, making it difficult to follow along. These inconsistencies can be frustrating and unhelpful for beginners seeking structured learning paths.
Conversation Practice
One of the highlights of Mondly Italian is the conversation practice feature. You are given phrases to say, and the app builds these into dialogues. You can choose to practice both sides of the conversation or just your part.
Vocabulary Flashcards
The vocabulary section operates much like traditional flashcards. You move words around and practice translating them, although this felt somewhat basic compared to other features.
Chatbot Feature
One intriguing feature is the chatbot, which is designed to simulate real conversations. The AI presents various scenarios like shopping, but it’s crucial to note that some scenarios require a premium subscription.
The chatbot initiates conversations and provides response options. However, if you reply in English, it doesn\’t prompt correction, which could be a missed learning opportunity.
Based on my experience, while the chatbot feature is promising, it doesn\’t feel fully developed. Other websites offer more advanced AI interactions that prompt users more effectively.
Lesson Structure and Content
The lessons are organized into a tree-like structure. Initially, you have access to a limited number of lessons, with more advanced ones locked behind a premium subscription. Here’s what my exploration entailed:
Navigation Bar: The navigation bar includes categories, lessons, statistics, and a leaderboard.
Categories and Lessons: You can start with the introduction lessons and practice conversations.
The free version limits the amount of content available, but it provides a glimpse into what the premium version might offer.
Statistics
One useful feature is the statistics section, where you can track your progress. Data points include the number of days you\’ve practiced, total minutes spent, words learned, and phrases studied.
Leaderboard
The leaderboard compares your performance with friends, countrymen, and globally, fostering a sense of competition that can motivate continued learning.
Conclusion: Is Mondly Italian Worth It?
In summary, I think Mondly Italian provides a functional platform for learning Italian, primarily focusing on vocabulary and basic conversational skills. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in audio consistency and AI interaction depth, the app\’s efforts to facilitate better speaking practice are notable.
For serious language learners, investing in the premium version might expose you to more advanced and challenging lessons. For casual learners or beginners, the free version offers enough content to get the basics.
Features
Spaced repetition
Does the app offer plenty of repetition to acquire vocab and grammar naturally?
Customization
Can users customize settings, interface, content, etc.?
Focus on learning
Is the interface and content focused on the course content instead of fluff and gamification?
Personalization
Are the materials automatically tailored to the user’s profile?
Sentence accuracy
Are sentences free from typos, grammar errors? Do they sound natural?
Sentence relevance
Are sentences realistic and useful?
Variety and depth
Is there enough variety of materials in terms of topics, formats and levels?
Audio quality
Are audio materials easy to listen to in terms of recording quality and speech rate?
Speaker's quality
Do speakers speak correctly, clearly and naturally?
Speaking practice
Does the app offer plenty of speaking practice?
Ease of use
Is the app easy to set up, use and navigate?
Interface and design
Is the user interface neat and visually appealing?
Performance
Does the app load fast? Is it free from glitches and crashes?
Grammar notes
Do the courses come with grammar notes?
Learning path
Do the courses follow a well defined path?
Speech recognition
Does the app recognize user speech?
User-generated courses
Can users actively generate materials from their interests?
Offline access
Are the courses available offline?
Conclusions
Would I take these courses?
I would try the app for its conversation practice but seek improvements in audio quality and AI interactions.
How to get the most out of the app
Use the app to review vocabulary and occasionally try the conversation exercises, although they can feel slightly unreliable.
Alternatives
Think In Italian is better than Mondly to master Italian
Think In Italian is the only app that gets your to speak Italian all the time. It comes with hundreds of grammar lessons and readings to listen and repeat, plus an AI tutor to review the courses and practice conversation. See the full review.
FAQs
Does Mondly have speech recognition?
Yes, for conversation practice.
Does Mondly have a free version?
Yes, with limited access.
How does Mondly track your progress?
Via statistics showing days studied, minutes spent, words, and phrases learned.
Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free courses and other resources.
Rave Reviews
★★★★★
Rated 4.9/5 based on 170+ reviews
