Do you speak VR?

Mondly launched a virtual reality app last week that allows users to learn languages with chatbots. There are currently 28 different languages to choose from. The new app from Mondly combines the latest chatbot technology with speech recognition and VR, creating a completely new way to learn languages. With the application, users can hold conversations with virtual characters from the comfort of their own home and thus gain confidence.

Successful pioneer

Mondly, as an existing, very successful platform when it comes to language learning, is one of the pioneers when it comes to immersive learning experiences in VR in general. Its chatbot system, which was launched in August 2016, provides immediate feedback on pronunciation and makes suggestions to enrich the vocabulary with new words. The system recognises millions of sentences and words in the 28 languages on offer. Although Mondly is still so young, millions of users have already tried it out and there have already been over 15,000,000 downloads. In the Arab countries, it is even the number one app ahead of Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Fun is the best way to learn

It is well known that people learn better in a pleasant and fun environment. That's why at Mondly, according to Finance.chThe teacher also offers the odd surprise to make learning an entertaining experience. Another important factor is that you can speak naturally in the flow. No additional controls are needed and the system even recognises background noise, calibrates itself accordingly and thus ignores unintentional noise.

The selection

The first free version, which you can download from the Oculus Gear VR Store contains three scenes in the 28 languages:

• The restaurant - In a small bistro you can practise how to order food and drinks
• On the Eurotrain - On a train travelling through Europe, you can practise how to hold conversations with people you don't know and make new friends in the process
• The hotel - Here you can practise how to check into a hotel and move into your room

The following languages are currently supported: British &, American English, German, French, Italian, Finnish, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Thai, Czech, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Romanian, Dutch, Greek, Arabic, Croatian and Danish.

Source: Finanzen.ch / Mondly