Language learning offers many incredible cognitive, academic, and social-emotional benefits to children. Research indicates that learning a second language promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening skills and also improves memory and concentration. These cognitive benefits correlate directly with academic achievement as bilingual children have improved reading, writing, and math skills, as well as higher standardized test scores, in comparison to their peers speaking only one language. Children proficient in other languages are also known to display heightened levels of creativity and mental flexibility. From a social-emotional perspective, exposure to other languages often encourages empathy, tolerance, and cultural sensitivity.

Given all of the amazing benefits associated with learning a second language, allowing your child to engage with online resources that promote language learning is the perfect solution for a rainy day! Additionally, extending the benefits of online play to include interactions with family and friends through second languages can be a transformative experience for children. Not only does this practice enhance their language skills, but it also fosters stronger social connections and cultural awareness. Encouraging children to use the new language skills they develop through their digital learning with family and friends can deepen their understanding and appreciation of different cultures, while also strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.

Here are 10 free apps and websites to help kids learn a second language!

Digital Dialects

This website includes fun practice games, flashcards, and interactive materials with audio for learning 80 foreign languages, including many which are indigenous, minority, and endangered. Within these activities, children will learn grammar, spelling, alphabets, verb conjugation, vocabulary, and syntax. Elementary students should easily be able to navigate these games and materials independently.

Duolingo

This site offers free, bite-sized lessons incorporating reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These personalized lessons focus on practical, real-life applications of using a second language, such as ordering at a restaurant. In addition to common vocabulary and phrases, Duolingo also introduces quirky sentences that are memorable and make learning more fun. In addition to the website, Duolingo offers apps for iPhone and Android users as well.

PBS Kids: “Oh Noah!”

PBS Kids offers many free learning programs including the “Oh Noah!” collection of videos and games that help children learn Spanish vocabulary.

BBC Bitesize

BBC is a publicly funded broadcaster in the United Kingdom offering many learning resources for all ages including written and audiovisual lessons for acquiring a second language. These lessons include quizzes to check for understanding as well as supplemental materials such as crafts, songs, and stories.

Gus on the Go

Children can learn one of 30 languages using the Gus on the Go language apps for iPhone and Android. Each app includes interactive lessons, vocabulary reviews, and games. Gus on the Go is most appropriate for younger elementary-aged children. Individual language apps are $3.99 each. Stories by Gus on the Go is the second installment of this app series featuring games and lessons based on timeless children’s stories such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Three Little Pigs.”

Mondly Kids

This family-friendly app for iPhone and Android users features gamified lessons on popular topics such as animals, nature, food, family, and sports to help children learn 33 different languages through play. In addition to the free daily lessons, there are also 77 premium lessons available.

Learning by Mindsnacks

This app allows children to learn languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese and more. Each language includes 9 mini games as well as the introduction of vocabulary through native speaker audio clips.

Peg and Pog

This app is perfect for younger elementary students who can learn how to read and say words in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin as they follow Peg, Pog, and their cat, Cosmo, on their adventures around the world. Kids can interact with the scenes and characters on iPhones, Android devices, and Kindles. There are even free printables like coloring pages and support exercises to supplement the lessons. The main app is $3.99 and individual apps for other languages are also available for $2.99 each.

Droplets

Designed for ages 8 – 17, this resource is available on the web and as an app for iPhone and Android users. It provides short (5 minutes or less) lessons and games with lots of emphasis on visual learning introducing more than 37 languages. The free version of this resource allows 5 minutes of game play every 10 hours; there are also premium options starting as low as $5 per month that allow unlimited play, no ads, and additional features.

MUZZY

Developed by BBC, this program offers fun, animated stories of Muzzy and his friends featuring the natural immersion method of language learning perfect for all types of learners at all ages. Each lesson serves as the foundation for the next, building on previously learned words and concepts. The use of repetition and “spiraling” is familiar to the Montessori Method. This resource is available as an online program or an app for iPhone and Android users for $14.66 per month.