Many people learn English with apps on their phones. Can apps help you speak English? Studies show that apps help beginners learn words and grammar. They can also help with reading and listening.

But it is not clear if apps help with speaking. Also, many users stop using the apps after a while. So use an app every day to build a habit. But talk with real people, too, to practice speaking.

Language apps are used by hundreds of millions of people, but can they make you a fluent speaker? Research suggests they have clear strengths and weaknesses. In a 2019 case study, university students learned Turkish with an app for one semester, and those who spent more time on it improved more. A 2020 study found that adults who studied Spanish with an app for 12 weeks improved in grammar, vocabulary, and speaking, especially those who studied longer.

A company-led study also reported reading and listening levels, although results from the app's own researchers need independent checks. A 2021 review of app research pointed out that most studies focused on app design, and that learning outcomes got less attention. Apps seem best for building basic knowledge and a daily habit.

Language-learning apps attract hundreds of millions of users, yet the research behind them reveals a mixed picture. A 2019 case study of university students learning Turkish through an app over one semester found that time spent on the app predicted test gains, although participants' motivation varied and some felt frustrated with the materials. A 2020 study of adults studying Spanish for 12 weeks reported growth in grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as oral ability, with study time the strongest predictor.

Researchers, mostly employed by one app company, found that learners who completed beginner courses reached reading and listening levels comparable to students with several semesters of university study, but such findings involve a potential conflict of interest and await independent replication. A 2021 systematic review of studies from 2012 to 2020 noted further weaknesses: most focused on app design rather than learning outcomes and used non-probability samples. Separately, high attrition can leave analyses with only the most committed users. Gamified features such as streaks may encourage daily practice, but can also turn the streak itself into the goal. Apps are probably best seen as a gateway and a habit-builder, with speaking skills developed through real interaction.