Disclaimer:
Always remember that driving should be your core focus, you should never watch videos or allow yourself to be distracted whilst driving.
We have specifically chosen platforms which have audio components to allow you to learn languages, all the while keeping you safe.
Driving and listening is a great way to learn a language but what are the best apps to learn a language while driving?
Our favorite is Plimseur which provides streamlined audio tuition to use whilst driving in focused lessons. If we were to choose one, it would definitely be Plimseur. The others on this list are all terrific alternatives to use, but choose the option that works best for your overall needs.
Just 20% of American students learn a foreign language while in school, far below students worldwide.
It’s no wonder that just 1% of adults in the United States can use a foreign language they learned in a classroom.
To be fair, learning an additional language can be challenging. It takes time, commitment, and practice. That’s all difficult to do in a classroom setting or to fit in on your own if you have limited free time.
It’s never too late to start, though. There are numerous benefits to learning a foreign language, including improvement in cognitive abilities, creativity, and memory and opening the door to more career options.
And since you likely have a limited amount of time to squeeze in language lessons, many language apps can help you even when you’re behind the wheel. Here are some of the best apps to learn a language while driving.
Available as a free app (or in a paid upgraded version named Duolingo Plus), Duolingo is one of the most popular and best apps to learn a language while driving.
Related: What plans are available with Duolingo
Millions have had great success with Duolingo, with the company reporting 26.7 million learners of Spanish, 16.8 million learners of French, and 11.1 million learners of Japanese.
Languages available run the gamut, from Hindi and Turkish to Latin and Irish.
Duolingo thrives as one of the best apps to learn a language while driving because of its personalized approach. Duolingo’s lessons are tailored to you and your learning style; it’s like having a private tutor who knows your strengths and weaknesses in and out.
Duolingo also incorporates games as much as possible, reflecting that fun learning can be effective learning. Lessons are usually completed in small bursts, lessons that Duolingo dubs “bite-size.”
That format is a big reason why it’s one of the best apps to learn a language while driving. Even if your commute is 10 or 15 minutes, you can still complete at least one lesson.
Related: Is a Duolingo Certificate Valid
Rosetta Stone
It’s one of the oldest and most respected players in the language-learning industry, but Rosetta Stone is staying modern by solidifying itself as one of the best apps to learn a language while driving as well.
Rosetta Stone has been around for 30 years, so it knows what it’s doing and clearly does it well. Most connect it with traditional computer-based lessons, but it has expanded its offerings to include a handy app, where you can choose from 25 languages.
Rosetta Stone has fantastic immersion techniques, including integrating interactive lessons, using scenarios from the real world, and incorporating audio from those who speak the language you’re learning.
Related Learn Spanish while driving with Rosetta Stone
A big motivator: You get instant feedback on how you are pronouncing words and coaching live from native speakers.
If you’d like to experience for yourself why it’s one of the best apps to learn a language while driving, you can try the app for free during a three-day trial.
Babbel
There’s a reason why Babbel is named after the Biblical Tower of Babel, used to explain why different languages are spoken worldwide.
The company’s lessons are designed by more than 100 language experts who carefully crafted an approach to language learning that incorporates realism and interactive dialogue to get you feeling confident quickly.
With lessons that last just 10-15 minutes, it’s ranked as one of the best apps to learn a language while driving. The lessons are easy to navigate on the mobile app, which is highly intuitive and well-designed.
Related: I Tried Babbel for One Month to Learn French — Here’s How It Went
Babbel has sold more than 10 million subscriptions, and it calls itself the No. 1 selling app for language learning.
You can choose from either a basic app subscription, with lessons tailored for your level of understanding and schedule, or go big with a Babbel live subscription that includes access to app lessons but also live virtual classes.
Babbel’s method — progressive lessons that build on the results of the previous lesson — is tried and true and powerful.
That’s a big reason why it’s among the best apps to learn a language while driving. Even if you don’t have much time for lessons, Babbel’s lessons seamlessly fit together.
The basic app subscriptions range from $13.95 a month for one month to $6.95 a month for 12 months. Discounts on subscriptions are commonplace, and you can try it out for free as well.
LanguagePod101
Founded in 2005, LanguagePod101 boasts over 1 billion downloads for its lessons covering more than 35 languages, available on mobile apps, desktops, YouTube, or through audio CDs and podcasts, among other platforms.
There are individual web portals based on the language you are interested in, and the lessons come with a tremendous amount of supplementary materials, including grammar outlines, cultural lessons, and much more.
That comprehensiveness earns it a spot on our list of best apps to learn a language while driving. There are also free forms of its online classes, mobile apps, eBooks, and iTunes lessons.
Supplementary material costs vary, but they’re worth it. The video and audio lessons are conversational and easy to follow, making it accessible for language newbies and those looking to hone their skills.
The best part is that you can switch between the website and the app and save your progress. Starting with a basic subscription, you can learn up to 100 words. If you decide to go for premium or premium plus subscriptions, you can learn 2000 words or more. It makes choosing the subscriptions worth the price.
Their audio lessons feel like you’re talking to a friend, making it easy to understand and engage with the language. Lessons are broken into small parts, focusing on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. There are also transcripts to read along, which is great for when you’re not driving and want to review.
Flashcards help you remember the words and their meanings, and quizzes let you see how much you’ve learned. You can learn phrases for ordering in a restaurant, about the culture, and lots more. Subscription levels are $7.99 for basic, $24.99 for premium, and $46.99 for premium plus, which gives you your own tutor. Remember, the price is for each language you want to learn.
Many people have given LanguagePod101 a 4.5-star rating on Google Play, liking the material a lot, even if some think the interface could be better.
Related: Babbel vs Pimsleur
Pimsleur
More than 50 languages are available on Pimsleur — and you can try them all with just one paid monthly subscription of $13.95 a month.
There’s also a free 7-day trial, and you can take a 30-minute lesson for free right now on Pimsleur’s website.
All of that is fantastic, but it’s Pimsleur’s straightforward, interactive approach that makes it one of the best apps to learn a language while driving.
Core lessons are 30 minutes (you can stream them anywhere through Amazon Alexa, along with reading lessons and role-playing conversations that are particularly helpful and fun.
Additional Pimsleur features that make it stand out include translating that role-playing into fast games that test your comprehension of conversations and the ability to both live stream and download lessons for later use through the app.
Pimsleur bases its method on the scientific principles behind effective language learning, eschewing too much information for clear and straightforward practice and understanding reinforcement, another reason why it’s among the best apps to learn a language while driving.
Click the banner above for the 7-day free trial
Linguaphone
Based and developed in the United Kingdom, Linguaphone is the language granddaddy in this group; it has been in business for more than 100 years.
Both natives and linguists write its courses, and there are more than 60 to pick from.
It’s a highly personalized experience — you pick the right courses for you in the right format, including MP3 downloads, books, or CDs.
With those different options, it’s one of the very best apps to learn a language while driving.
Using the mantra of enjoyment leading to fast learning, Linguaphone’s approach is simple yet highly effective: listen, speak, and understand.
You set your own pace and gradually and reliably begin to have it all click because of this multipronged approach. Its courses also reflect any experience level, carefully designed for beginners to experts.
There are even all talk courses for those who want to fast-track conversational skills and understanding techniques.
With its courses tailored to essential stages of language learning, you won’t be wasting your time wading through courses you don’t need or are too advanced.
That’s another big reason why it’s one of the best apps to learn a language while driving. Cost depends on your lesson format and experience level.
Assimil
Big in Europe, Assimil has a remarkable collection of language lessons, ranging from those for Espéranto beginners and children studying French to learning Italian for free on streaming platforms.
Assimil is constantly developing new apps or updating them, making it a clear choice as one of the best apps to learn a language while driving.
Five new apps are currently available for a range of mobile platforms, and e-courses cover the most popular languages.
Assimil approaches its language courses as it would with children, who generally soak in the conversations of people around and assimilate sounds with meanings before attempting to reproduce them and make sentences their own.
This same natural method is applied to courses for teenagers and adults on Assimil, ages 15 and older.
AnkiApp
AnkiApp’s approach and offerings are simple, direct, and incredibly effective, a bit more streamlined than other language learning companies and apps.
The app uses flashcards that you can make with images, sound, and words to study on your own time across both mobile and desktop platforms.
You can even sync AnkiApp lessons to your many devices through the cloud, another reason why it ranks with the best apps to learn a language while driving.
You simply download material from AnkiApp’s collection of more than 80 million flashcards (you can make your own, too) and study through quick sessions. And by “quick,” we mean “super, super quick,” since the sessions only last up to 1 minute.
It’s learning that’s big on efficiency but doesn’t skimp on ways to develop long-lasting language skills.
MosaLingua
MosaLingua is another best app that helps you learn new words and phrases in a different language while you drive. It uses audio flashcards to teach you so you can focus on the road and learn simultaneously. Over 10 million people have tried it, and they like it—it’s got a 4.4-star rating on Google Play.
The app is easy to use. You don’t have to look at your phone, which is great when you’re driving. It breaks down learning into small steps so you don’t get lost or feel like it’s too much. You can start with simple words and phrases, and if you want to learn more, you can try the paid version for more lessons. But even the free version has plenty of stuff to get you started.
You can learn languages like French, Spanish, and German, there are eight languages in total. The audio quality is good, making learning easier and more fun. Plus, you can pick topics that interest you, like Travel, so the words and phrases you learn are the ones you’ll use.
Suppose you’re looking for a simple, effective way to learn a new language while on the go; MosaLingua might be just what you need. You can download it for free on Android and iPhone, and there’s a free trial. After that, if you want to keep learning, it costs $9.49 a month or $59.90 for a year.
Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages makes learning a new language while you’re driving super simple. This app works on iOS and Android devices and is free to download. People have given it a 4.4-star rating on Google Play, though a few mentioned some audio glitches.
What sets Rocket Languages apart is its comprehensive approach. Not only do you get to learn about grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, but there are also interactive games and activities to make the process fun and engaging. You can even set up a personalized study plan with goals to track your progress. Plus, there are tests to check how much you’ve learned.
The resources available, like flashcards, quizzes, and audio recordings, help deepen your knowledge. As for subscriptions vary by language; for example, Korean might be a one-time payment of $99.95 or $19.00 a month. Rocket Languages offers free trials, too, so you can try before you fully invest.
Their lessons and material are broken down into manageable chunks, making it the best app to learn a language while driving. Whether you’re looking to master just a chunk of a language or go deeper, Rocket Languages offers a structure that’s easy to follow. Plus, their subscription plans give you access to more features and lessons as you go along, making it a smart choice for those serious about learning.
Mondly
Mondly makes learning a new language while driving super simple and fun. It has plenty to choose from, with a catalog of 41 languages. What’s best is how intuitive the teaching methods are. It uses AI, speech recognition technology, and a chatbot to make learning easy. You’re not just repeating words and phrases; you’re actively practicing your pronunciation and getting real-time feedback.
The app keeps things interesting by rewarding you for completing lessons. There’s also a virtual coach to offer guidance and support. That’s why it is the best app to learn a language while driving. You’ll find a variety of exercises, like fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice questions, and sentence completion, to help improve your knowledge. And the voice recognition software? It’s best to help you in your journey. It also supports games and modern technology.
The pricing is affordable, with options ranging from $9.99 monthly for one language to $47.99 annually for access to 33 languages or lifetime access to all 41 languages for $89. Despite some customer reviews mentioning a glitchy interface, its 4.5 rating on Google Play speaks to its value and efficiency in making language learning accessible and engaging.
Steps to Learn a Language While Driving
Now, let’s discuss how you can learn a language easily.
- Before hitting the road, download your language lesson. Use the repeat function if the lesson’s too short so it plays over again.
- Don’t stress if you miss every word on the first go. Listen for the main ideas, essential vocabulary, and grammar. Understand the general message rather than the little details.
- Listen to the lesson multiple times. Repeat new words out loud as they come up to help remember them. If there are words you don’t know, look them up later when you’re not driving. Review these words often to help with understanding.
- Once familiar with the lesson, try writing down what you remember when you stopped driving. Focus on the main ideas and any new vocabulary.
- Pretend you’re teaching the lesson to someone else in the language you’re learning. However, this helps to improve your knowledge and practice speaking.
Why Learn a Language While Driving?
We get free time when we drive. Either we used to listen to our favorite songs or chit-chat with our friends or family. But if you want to utilize that time for something more productive, then why not try learning a language while driving? We will discuss some of the great benefits of learning a language.
Make the Most of Drive Time
Driving doesn’t just have to be about getting from one place to another. Use this time to learn something new, like a language. You’re in the car anyway, so why not understand German, French, or Spanish while at it?
Focus on Listening
When driving, you can’t read or write but can listen. Listening is a big part of learning a language. Listening to language lessons while you drive, you better understand the language you want to know.
Use "Empty" Time Wisely
Think of your hours driving each week. Instead of just zoning out or listening to the same songs, you could pick up a new language. In about 13 weeks, you could learn enough to have basic conversations if you practice for eight hours a week.
Listen to Real Conversations
Besides lessons, listening to real conversations in the language can help, too. When you’re not driving, try watching videos or listening to podcasts in that language. It enables you to hear how people talk.
Practice Speaking Without Worry
Talking to yourself in the car in a new language is a great way to practice. You can say words out loud, work on your pronunciation, and get comfortable using new words without feeling embarrassed.
Final Thoughts
Learning a new language is one of the greatest things you can do with your life, from a social, emotional, and career perspective, and learning safely whilst driving is a great way to while away your time, especially in those pesky traffic jams.
As per the title of this blog, if you want an easy-to-use, audio-focused language learning app, the absolute best that we can recommend would definitely be Plimseur, due to its ease of use, easy listening and endless testimonials of getting the results people want to achieve.
Related: The 15 Best Methods Of Learning A Language (The Ultimate Guide)
Whichever platform you pick, remember, be safe always.
Let us know how it goes, and how you get on with your driving and learning a language combo.
FAQ'S
Can I learn a language while I'm driving?
Yes, you sure can. There are apps made just for this. You can take language lessons from your car using your phone or tablet to listen.
Is Duolingo good for learning while driving?
Absolutely. Duolingo is great for car learning because its lessons are beginner-friendly. So, you can learn with Duolingo while you drive.
Can I learn with Rosetta Stone while driving?
Yes. Rosetta Stone has an app for iPhone and Android, which means you can keep up your language lessons even when driving. It’s a top choice for many learners.
Can I use Babbel while I drive?
Yes. Babbel’s latest app lets you learn languages on the road. It’s made to fit into your driving routine perfectly and works on both Android and iPhone.
Hey, I’m Kris Taylor. I’m a Learning and Development professional currently in the healthcare field, with over 8 years of experience in the area of corporate education. I have created numerous instructional content for various corporate projects including eLearning, in-person facilitation, and virtual training across a wide variety of learning interventions and sectors. On Taughtup, I discuss topics ranging from how to succeed through K-12 to college all the way to instructional design tips for L&D designers.
