Being a visual language learner, I’m constantly seeking out new apps that can make the language learning process as effortless and enjoyable as possible. To achieve this, I integrate various forms of entertainment into my daily routine. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you that I consistently have Radio Italia playing in the background while I cook and clean. Plus, I almost always indulge in a good Italian show or book before heading to bed.
One of my most recent discoveries is LingoPie, an advanced language learning application that uses real TV shows and movies to help you learn a new language. Officially launched in 2019, it contains various types of popular media including TV shows, movies, podcasts, audiobooks, web series, cartoons and even Netflix shows.
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How to Use LingoPie to Learn Italian
The concept behind LingoPie is straightforward. Choose a TV show or movie that interests you, and while watching, leverage LingoPie’s advanced learning tools, which are as follows:
Dual Subtitles: Follow the subtitles in your native language and Italian, or choose just the Italian subtitles if you’re feeling brave. If you find it difficult to follow along even with the subtitles, you can slow down the speed of the audio or loop scenes you find particularly difficult to understand. There’s even an option to record your own voice reciting the subtitles, and LingoPie will provide you with feedback on your pronunciation, rating it on a scale of 1 to 100.
Interactive Vocabulary Practice: Click on words and phrases in the subtitles for immediate translations and definitions. Save newly encountered words to your personalised vocabulary list for convenient review. When you hover over a word, the video is automatically paused, allowing you to resume watching after saving the word.
Grammar Tips: Click on the lightbulb icon to access LingoPie’s grammar coach whenever you encounter a grammatical pattern you don’t understand. All parts of speech (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) are colour-coded. The tool also provides information about the gender and plurality of the nouns you click on.
Games, Flashcards & More: Memorise the words and phrases you’ve saved with interactive games, flashcards, and challenges.
Track Your Progress: Monitor the hours you’ve watched, words saved, and words learned.
Private Lessons: Discuss your favourite shows and movies during a tailored 1-on-1 lesson with a verified tutor. Simply click “book my lesson,” complete the subscription process, and pick a date and time on the calendar that best suits you.
LingoPie is accessible from your desktop or can be downloaded as an app for Android or Apple devices. Personally, I prefer using it on my laptop, as I like having a larger screen when watching movies. Nevertheless, having the option of a mobile app is a definite plus.
It’s important to note that LingoPie isn’t a formal language course, so it may not be very effective as a standalone learning resource. It’s most beneficial when used in conjunction with other materials like textbooks or language courses, whether in a school or university setting or through online platforms like Rosetta Stone, Rocket Languages, and the like.
As it’s not a structured course, LingoPie might not be ideal for absolute beginners or individuals with no prior language learning experience. The platform is most beneficial for low-intermediate learners and above. However, there’s no harm in giving it a try as a beginner, especially if you want to immerse yourself in the sound of the language.
LingoPie + Italian Music
A recent addition that I’ve begun exploring, fueled by my passion for Italian music, is the LingoPie music library. This feature enables you to watch Italian music videos, spanning from classics to the latest chart-toppers. Similar to the TV shows, these music videos come with subtitles that you can follow and click on to save unfamiliar words.
Lingopie + Netflix = The Ultimate Language Learning Combo
LingoPie’s latest enhancement includes integration with Netflix for users who already have a Netflix account. By linking the two, you can seamlessly watch a curated selection of Italian TV shows.
To connect LingoPie to Netflix, you need to download the “LingoPie – Language Learning with Netflix” extension for Chrome or Safari from the LingoPie platform.
After installation, you’ll be prompted to log into your Netflix account (and possibly your LingoPie account once more). All accessible Netflix shows can then be directly accessed from the LingoPie dashboard.
While the range of available shows could be expanded, and it would be beneficial to include popular shows with Italian dubbing, this integration marks a positive step in the right direction.
Are there any downsides to LingoPie?
Like any platform, there are a couple of downsides worth noting before making the investment.
Firstly, while the subtitles are generally accurate, they aren’t always perfect. Occasionally, the meaning within the context of the show differs from the literal translation of the word. For instance, the word grillo literally means cricket, but in the context of the show I was watching, it figuratively meant “a sudden and silly idea.” Despite this, LingoPie provided the literal translation cricket.
What’s more, I wish there was a broader selection of popular shows in the Netflix section. Indeed, I believe LingoPie could attract more subscribers by providing popular English shows, such as The Crown and Black Mirror, dubbed into Italian. The limitation may be related to pure licensing issues or simply a commitment to offering content in the original native language. Either way, considering such an expansion could be worthwhile for the future.
How much does LingoPie cost?
As language learning programs go, you’ll find that LingoPie is actually quite affordable, especially considering that it gives you access to all languages on the platform, not just Italian.
As of March 2024, their pricing is as follows:
3 month plan
$36
($12 / month)
Yearly plan
$144
($5.99 / month)
Lifetime subscription
$663
To provide you with ample time to determine if LingoPie suits your needs, you will receive a 7-day free trial with complete access to all their content after signing up.
Also keep in mind that LingoPie regularly runs promotional offers. So, if you’re considering signing up, it’s advisable to wait for these sales to take advantage of the discounted prices.
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Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
