Free language learning for students
Free language learning for students and homeschoolers
Quick answer
Students can learn a language for free by combining four things: a free speaking practice tool, a free flashcard library with spaced repetition, a free level test to know where they stand, and whatever their school or public library already pays for. SpeakBase covers the first three in one place: a free first lesson with Kate, an AI speaking tutor that corrects mistakes and explains them in the student's own language; free public flashcard sets in 12 study languages; and a free 3-minute CEFR speaking level check from A1 to C1. Teachers can open a class with a join code and assign sets.
Several paid apps used to run special free offers for students, and many of those pages are gone. The good news is that most of what a student needs is still free, as long as you know which part each tool covers. Speaking is the part most free resources skip, so start there.
Free resources by what you need
| What you need | Free options |
|---|---|
| Speaking practice | SpeakBase free first lesson; school conversation groups; a language partner |
| Vocabulary | Free flashcard libraries with spaced repetition, including SpeakBase public sets |
| Level test | SpeakBase free speaking test (A1 to C1); free online reading and listening tests |
| Grammar | Free grammar references and exercises, including our English grammar reference |
| Structured course | Your public library or school, which may already pay for a course app |
What SpeakBase gives students for free
- A free first speaking lesson: 5 minutes of live conversation with Kate, no card needed, in any of 14 languages.
- A free CEFR speaking level check: a 3-minute spoken conversation that places you from A1 to C1.
- Free public flashcard sets in 12 study languages, with study modes such as flashcards, learn, test and match.
- Corrections explained in the learner's own language, which helps younger students and beginners.
For teachers and homeschooling parents
- Create a class and share a join code; students join from any browser on a phone or computer.
- Assign flashcard sets and see a report of the words the class struggles with most.
- Every correction a student gets in a conversation becomes a flashcard, so review follows from real mistakes.
- Use the free level check at the start of a term to group students by spoken level.
Check what your school or library already offers
- Many public libraries license language learning apps for card holders at no cost. Ask at the desk or search the library website for languages.
- Schools and universities often have language centres, conversation groups and tutoring hours open to all students.
- Some exam boards and cultural institutes publish free practice materials and sample tests.
A simple free study plan
- Take a free level test so you know your starting point.
- Review flashcards for ten minutes a day, so new words come back just before you forget them.
- Speak at least three times a week, even for five minutes: out loud with a tutor, a classmate or an AI partner.
- Retake the level test after a few months to see progress.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free language learning app for students?
Yes. Several apps have free tiers. SpeakBase offers a free first speaking lesson with an AI tutor, a free CEFR speaking level check and free public flashcard sets in 12 study languages.
Which languages can students practise speaking on SpeakBase?
English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Hebrew.
Can a teacher use SpeakBase with a class?
Yes. A teacher creates a class, shares a join code, assigns flashcard sets and sees which words the class finds hardest.
How can homeschoolers practise speaking a language?
Combine short daily flashcard review with regular speaking practice. An AI speaking tutor gives a child someone to talk to every day, and a free level check shows progress over time.
