Best Apps for Learning New English Words as an ESL Student

Kim downloads Duolingo on Monday morning. She has 15 minutes on the bus to work. She completes one lesson. The app shows a green checkmark. After one month, she knows 120 new words. She can order food in English. She can ask simple questions. The app made learning feel like a game, not homework.

You can learn this way too. This article shows you the best apps for building English vocabulary and how to choose the right one.

Why this matters

Apps make vocabulary practice easy and fun. You can learn anywhere: on the bus, during lunch, or before bed. Good apps use games and rewards to keep you interested. They remember what you learned and show you words again at the right time. Many are free. You study at your own speed with no pressure.

The method in one sentence

Memory sentence: Pick one app that fits your style, practice ten minutes daily, and let the app remind you to keep going.

The main tips

Use Duolingo for gamified learning

Duolingo turns language learning into a game. You earn points. You complete levels. The app makes you feel good when you finish lessons. This works well for beginners who need motivation.

Action steps:
– Download the free version from your app store
– Set a daily goal (5, 10, or 15 minutes)
– Complete one lesson every day to keep your streak
– Join a league to stay motivated

Example:
Lesson: “Food and Drink”
Question: “I eat an ___.” You pick “apple.”
Correct! You get 10 points and unlock the next lesson.

Try this today: Download Duolingo and complete the first three lessons.

Try Memrise for visual mnemonics

Memrise uses pictures and funny videos to help you remember words. You see a word. You see an image. Your brain connects them. This method works great for visual learners.

Action steps:
– Choose a course level (Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate)
– Watch the short video for each new word
– Review with the memory game feature
– Use the pronunciation tool to practice speaking

Example:
Word: delicious
Video shows someone eating pizza and smiling. You hear “de-li-cious.”
Later, you remember the happy pizza video.

Try this today: Open Memrise and learn ten words with videos.

Master flashcards with Quizlet

Quizlet lets you create your own flashcard sets or use sets made by other students. You study words by flipping cards. The app has games to make practice fun. This is perfect if you like to control what you learn.

Action steps:
– Search for “ESL vocabulary” or “English beginner words”
– Choose a flashcard set with 20-50 words
– Study in “Learn” mode first
– Play “Match” game to test yourself

Example:
Set: “Daily Activities”
Card front: wake up / Card back: “to stop sleeping”
After studying 20 cards, you play Match and connect words to meanings in 45 seconds.

Try this today: Find one Quizlet set about your work or hobby.

Learn with spaced repetition on Anki

Anki shows you words right before you forget them. The app tracks which words you know well and which words you struggle with. It shows hard words more often. This science-based method helps words stick in your long-term memory.

Action steps:
– Download Anki and find a shared deck for ESL learners
– Study 10-20 new cards per day
– Review old cards every day (very important)
– Mark “Easy,” “Good,” or “Hard” after each card

Example:
Day 1: Learn confident
Day 2: Anki shows confident again
Day 5: Review one more time
Day 12: You remember it easily now

Try this today: Set up Anki with a beginner vocabulary deck.

Integrate apps with daily routines

Apps work best when you use them at the same time every day. Morning coffee? Practice vocabulary. Lunch break? Five-minute lesson. Make apps part of your normal day.

Action steps:
– Pick one fixed time (morning, lunch, or evening)
– Set a phone reminder for that time
– Keep your phone where you see it
– Start with just five minutes if you are very busy

Example:
7:00 AM – Wake up and make coffee
7:10 AM – Drink coffee and practice for 10 minutes
Same time every day. After two weeks, your brain expects it.

Try this today: Set a daily reminder for vocabulary practice.

Quick practice

Open any vocabulary app right now. Find one word you don’t know. Read it. Listen to the pronunciation. Make your own sentence using that word. Say it out loud three times. This takes two minutes.

How to know it worked: You can use the new word in a sentence without looking at your phone.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mistake: Using five different apps at the same time
  Fix: Start with one app for 30 days

• Mistake: Downloading apps but never opening them
  Fix: Put the app icon on your home screen

• Mistake: Studying for two hours on Sunday only
  Fix: Practice ten minutes daily instead

• Mistake: Forgetting to review old words
  Fix: Set apps to show old and new words

Wisdom moment

Apps are tools, not magic. The best app is the one you actually use. Some people love games, so Duolingo works. Some people love flashcards, so Quizlet works. Try one app for two weeks. If you open it every day, it is right for you. The secret is finding your app that fits into your real life.

FAQ

Which app is best for complete beginners?

Duolingo is easiest to start. It teaches step by step with pictures and sounds. The game design keeps you interested. Just follow the lessons and practice daily.

Do I need to pay for premium features?

Free versions work fine for most learners. Start free. If you use the app every day for one month and want more features, then consider premium.

Can I use multiple apps together?

Yes, but start with one. Use your main app every day. After one month, add a second app. For example, Duolingo for lessons and Quizlet for your own words.

How much time should I spend on apps daily?

Ten to fifteen minutes is perfect for beginners. More than 30 minutes can make you tired. Short daily practice works better than long weekly sessions.

Will apps alone make me fluent?

No. Apps teach vocabulary and grammar. You also need speaking practice with real people. Apps are one part of learning, not the whole journey.

Your next step

Download one app today. Just one. Choose based on what you like: games (Duolingo), pictures (Memrise), flashcards (Quizlet), or science (Anki). Open it right now. Complete the first lesson or review ten words. Set a reminder for tomorrow. Do this for seven days. Start today. Your vocabulary grows with every tap on your screen.