Planning for business travel involves more than just booking flights and packing a laptop. Effective communication with partners, colleagues, and locals is essential. A recent trip to Florida highlighted this need, as nearly a quarter of the state's population speaks Spanish. With an upcoming visit to Quebec, where many residents speak French, I decided to learn some of the language using the Babbel app.

Babbel offers a lifetime subscription for $219 with the code LEARN. I chose Babbel after hearing positive feedback from friends and online reviews. I found it challenging to locate free language resources and wanted to avoid the high costs of in-person classes. Babbel allows users to set realistic learning goals, which was important for me. I recognized that becoming fluent in French before my trip was unrealistic, but I could still make progress.

Upon starting, I selected my learning objectives, desired proficiency, and a target deadline. The app then established a weekly goal tailored to my needs. In my initial lessons, I learned essential phrases such as greetings, introductions, and how to order food. Babbel effectively explains the differences between formal and informal language, teaching me to address clients with "Bonjour!" and friends with "Salut!"

Each lesson includes pronunciation practice, addressing a common concern with language apps. Babbel employs speech-recognition technology to help users improve their speaking skills. While it alerts you to mispronunciations, it is not infallible. One feature I appreciate is the encouragement to vocalize words, simulating real-world conversations. Additionally, there is a dedicated course for "Listening and Speaking" to enhance conversational skills, focusing on vowels and consonants.

A concern I had was retaining what I learned, given that my trip is still months away. However, Babbel tracks new vocabulary and review frequency, ensuring that I revisit terms as needed. Users can choose their preferred review method, including flashcards, writing, listening, speaking, or mini-games. While the review system is effective, it may present challenging prompts if you take a break from the app.

Babbel offers 13 languages, allowing users to switch between them easily. Whether for business or leisure, learning a new language can be enjoyable and beneficial. I recommend Babbel for anyone looking to enhance their language skills for travel or personal growth.