Lingopie Review — Video Learning that Works

Is learning a new language difficult and boring for you?

Luckily, there are ways to make it easier and more enjoyable. One such possibility is to study through movies, TV series, and video clips.

With many advantages of language apps and online choices, what is better than using a language platform?

Let’s find out everything in this 2023 Lingopie review — an honest and extensive review of this online language learning video platform.

But first.

Can you learn a language through films & TV series?

You can certainly learn a language through tv and films. It makes perfect sense for many reasons.

First, movies provide memorable contexts for real-life scenarios that are easy to remember. It brings you closer to establishing a lasting memory of important language information.

Subtitles remarkably affect the brain when you watch, hear, read, and think about them. Your retention power increases significantly.

As a result, you can memorize words from a flick more quickly and talk like that than from a traditional resource, like a textbook.

Second, movies and TV shows are fun to watch. Having amusement while studying makes your learning experience more effective. Because of this, you are likely to succeed even when it is hard.

Foreign language videos help you listen to and understand how native speakers use them in their natural context. You also learn new words, expressions, dialects, slang, and accents.

Last, movies give the best insight into the cultural aspects of places where the language is widespread. For instance, you’ll discover their traditions, festivals, practices, work ethics, and society, to name a few.

With so many incentives, why not combine your love of watching videos with your desire to learn a language?

Why pick Lingopie out of all the choices?

Many websites, platforms, and apps cater to a global audience seeking language learning.

For example, you can study a language on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney, and dozens of other streaming channels. But they do not have the tools to help you in your language-learning journey.

For example, you cannot use 2 subtitles simultaneously to enrich your studies or save words or phrases for future practice. But that is obvious, as these OTT platforms are mainly for entertainment, not education.

There are some Netflix-based add-ons and browser extensions. But most are not good enough or have their own limitations. Plus, the complexity leaves a lot to be desired.

That is why innovative and effective apps like Lingopie stand out. It is a top-notch choice for a variety of reasons.

Alternative apps like Yabla and FluentU have video platforms for language learning. But Lingopie edges out all due to price, ever-growing library size, design, and practical features.

Let’s explore this app in more detail in this complete Lingopie review.

All About Lingopie Language Platform

Check out this review of Lingopie to find everything you need to know about this platform and if it’s the right match for you.

What is Lingopie?

Lingopie is a revolutionary language learning platform that simplifies the problem of studying a new language. It uses the binge-watching strategy to impart language education.

Through Lingopie, you can learn your chosen language in a fun and interactive way by watching movies, TV series, telenovelas, and documentaries.

The Lingopie app uses the binge-watching strategy to teach newer languages.

For example, Netflix’s Spanish dramas “La Casa de Papel,” “Chicas del Cable,” and “Narcos” are famous worldwide. Lingopie has free resources on these TV series to study and practice Spanish.

Thanks to a rich collection of videos covering a wide range of genres, topics, and themes, you will never run out of options.

Plus, it has many outstanding features like podcasts, a progress tracker, one-to-one tutor to take your journey to the next level.

As expected, the app is available on Android, iOS, and Web browsers. So all you have to do is download the app or open the website, create an account, and get started.

It offers 6 popular European and 2 East Asian languages with ever-growing content. They plan to add more languages soon.

Although this is a 100% paid app, they offer a 7-day free trial. This way, before signing up for their monthly or annual subscription, you can check and try all of their features.

The History of Lingopie

David Datny and Roy Oppenheim started Lingopie in 2019. Currently, David is the CEO, while Roy, a CPO, manages the product division.

Since then, many people from different backgrounds have joined the organization with a dream of making language learning fun and easy.

The team includes filmmakers, linguists, technical professionals, language enthusiasts, and researchers.

Lingopie’s headquarter is in New York City, USA. However, the team members operate from different parts of the world, like Argentina, Israel, Brazil, etc.

According to Crunchbase, the company has raised two rounds of funding. Their last one was a seed round on Mar 1, 2020.

What languages can you learn in Lingopie?

There are eight languages, mostly European, currently available on Lingopie. You can learn them in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, or Russian. Recently, they have added Japanese and Korean too.

Non-English natives can also learn English. Plus, there is a unique opportunity for Portuguese speakers to Aprenda inglês (Learn English).

When you sign up and subscribe to the app, you can access all the content, irrespective of your target language.

The company also plans to add many more Asian and European languages. The addition is to cater to a larger audience seeking to gain a language via multimedia resources.

For whom is it useful?

Whether you are at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level, Lingopie has something for everyone.

All contents are not for the same type of viewers. Some are difficult to comprehend, while some are easy to grasp.

There are also beginner-friendly, slow-paced videotapes, sports-related clips, and videos with complex dialogues that require advanced knowledge.

You will notice a dramatic improvement in your comprehension with just a few episodes. You will follow most of the conversation and talk, a vital language element.

Features of Lingopie

Let’s explore all the top features that make learning a language on Lingopie a fantastic experience.

1. Discovering Content

After picking one of the eight languages, you can search for videos and the content of that specific language.

They have organized multimedia content into multiple groups by genre, difficulty level, theme, duration, and type of video. You can scroll and swipe in their easy carousel-style layout.

There are different dialects too. So when you search for a specific language, look for the country of origin tag on the video’s thumbnail.

The videos are not lectures for academic goals. These are actual films and TV shows. These are contents everyone loves to watch, irrespective of the language goal.

To sum up, they have plenty of videos across different categories. So, you can search to see its runtime, genre, and country of origin.

You can group your recently watched videos to sync your progress and get a seamless learning and entertainment experience by creating a playlist in the app.

There is one minor missing feature. You cannot filter your search. This is a function that you have to compromise for. Although subjective, I would like to mark the desired content as favorites, which isn’t possible now.

2. Watching Experience

While watching a video, you can read the closed captions. There are plenty of tools to make your learning experience worthwhile.

Let’s take a close look at each feature.

1. Subtitles choices

You can simultaneously use two subtitles to understand the meaning. That can be original, target language, or subtitles in both.

Recently, they have also added a mashup segment. It mixes English and native subtitles while highlighting words for you to study.

If you are Spanglish, Franglish, Denglisch, Runglish, Itanglese, Runglish, Portuglish, or Portuñol, you will be in for a treat.

This helps you know the correct pronunciation and improves listening and reading skills.

2. Instant meaning with pronunciation 

Do you spend lots of time searching for the meaning of Google translators when you hear or see an unfamiliar word?

You are not alone; every learner does the same by using a translator or dictionary. Unfortunately, the entire process is lengthy and uninteresting.

Not anymore, as Lingopie instant translation makes it easy. You can also see the subtitle you missed using the back and forward buttons or keyboard shortcuts to navigate it.

If you see any unknown words or phrases, you can click on them, and their meaning will pop up on flashcards in no time. You can also listen to the exact pronunciation by clicking on the audio icon.

3. Control playback speed

The audio in videos is usually fast as they involve native speakers and are meant for those who speak well.

Lingopie video player allows you to adjust the pace per your current skills. As a result, choose the playback speed YouTube allows, ranging from 0.5 to 1x speed.

If you feel the dialogue or narration is fast, you can slow down the playback speed. They gave 5 options — Beginners (0.5), Novice (0.75), Intermediate (0.8), Advanced (0.9), and Full-speed (1x).

4. Toggle Full Frame for parallel learning

The app has an additional impressive feature.

You have an optional part to display the original video script on the screen’s right side, which scrolls down as the video progresses. You have to toggle between full-frame and transcript.

You are more likely to concentrate when you read and listen together. Those who are easily distracted will profit from this approach.

You will gain more vocabulary, expressions, and sentence formation and, at the same, know how it is pronounced in real-life settings.

5. Loop sentence for repetition

The spaced repetition system is one of the best methods to learn a language. In this way, you repeat the same thing at regular intervals. By doing so, you become used to it and embed it in your memory.

Lingopie offers a tool for the automatic looping of subtitles.

The video player will automatically replay the sentence when selecting the auto-loop icon. You can practice certain hard words and sentences as often as you need to use this feature.

Imagine learning Russian, French, or Swiss German with tricky accents and pronunciations. This auto-loop feature might come in handy.

6. Auto-Pause for better understanding

When you watch a foreign language movie or TV series, you pause all the time. So you can better comprehend the meaning and context of the words and sentences you hear.

Lingopie allows you to Auto-Pause after each subtitle. So, you do not need to click and pause/play 100s of times anymore.

You can click on the video player screen to continue or restart the video. Easy and effective!

7. Speaking and listening tools

The video player has two buttons to help you improve the speaking and listening sections.

One feature is that you can hear the dialogue in a computer-assisted voice rather than the original sound. Just click on the headphone icon, and it will speak the sentence.

This is good if sometimes you find native accents hard to recognize. In addition, since AI’s voice is slow and easy thus, it will encourage you to pronounce correctly.

There is also a microphone icon. You can use this feature to record the sentence you see on the screen in your voice. If unsure, you can also play the original or AI audio to match it.

3. Learning through flashbacks

Let’s move to the actual part, learning, and translations.

You can click on any phrase or word in the video to get an instant translation. And if you don’t understand, you can see its definition. This technique creates a simple approach and a fully immersive experience.

In the last step, when you click on a word, Lingopie creates contextual and visual-based flashcards automatically for you to study later.

The words, phrases, and slang you searched for are all available in one place as flashcards. So, you can go to this section and access all the content and words you are looking for together.

You can learn, practice, or revise what you have learned through these flashcards. There are also quizzes, games, and word lists to gamify your study.

By tracking your progress, you see where you stand. Also, knowing your current skills boosts your confidence and assists you in focusing on your weaknesses.

4. Podcasts

Podcasts are a practical approach to learning a new language. Because you can listen on the go and encourage to speak from day 1. It also assists you in increasing your vocabulary power.

The Lingopie library now includes podcasts as part of its language-learning offerings. In addition, they are adding new episodes every week on various subjects to make it more helpful for you.

They have covered topics like yoga, crime, mysteries, journalism, education, horror, wellness and health, books, literature, etc.

5. One-to-One Tutor

This pandemic gave rise to online language tutoring sessions. And to take advantage of this new trend, Lingopie introduced 1-on-1 face-to-face online teaching in various languages.

You can learn a language per your schedule and the teacher you are comfortable with on Lingopie. Initially, they have limited instructors in a few selected languages. However, they intend to expand in the future.

The tutors make their profiles and decide their own rates. They also set the timing that suits them. Some also give the first class free or provide a discount. But not everyone does that.

As a tutor, you can apply for any language you teach. The Lingopie team manually verifies and approves educator profiles.

Pros and Cons of Lingopie

As with any other language learning platform, Lingopie has its share of advantages and disadvantages.

Some of them could be subjective and vary as per your needs and goals.

For example, it isn’t a language app that teaches the nitty-gritty of grammar. Instead, it focuses on helping users learn more practically and entertainingly.

But what if you aim to take a CERF-based test like DELF, CAPLE, DELE, TestDaF, CILS, or TORFL?

In that case, you require a more comprehensive study plan.

To evaluate whether it is beneficial, let’s examine the positives and drawbacks of Lingopie.

Advantages of Lingopie

Here are some known benefits.

1. It offers a unique learning experience

The most well-known method of learning a language is to immerse yourself in it. And what is better than binge-watching movies and TV series?

If you are searching for an app or software that you can combine to help you learn and improve your language proficiency, you are in luck.

With Lingopie, you will enhance your language skills by doing what you love most — enjoying films and TV shows!

Many consider language learning tedious and complex, but Lingopie’s innovative approach makes the entire process entertaining. Plus, achieving your goals is easier if you like what you’re doing.

You may like to read → (i) How good is Duolingo? (ii) Is Memrise worth it? (iii) Busuu Review (iv) Review of HelloTalk app (v) Lingopie Korean review (vi) Review of Lingopie Spanish.

2. Vast collection of movies and TV shows

You can access thousands of hours of subtitled content in the language you wish to learn. Each month, they also add fresh content, so there’s always something new for learners.

Let’s say you are learning German. You can find categories such as new releases, popular, binge-worthy shows, short movies, and specific genres like sci-fi & fantasy, thrillers, teens, historical dramas, comedies, etc.

They also have beginner-friendly clips, starters, animation, and cartoons for new learners looking to start at the elementary level.

Do you like documentaries?

If so, you can view plenty of them, including those specializing in travel, food, adventure, nature, culture, society, and instructional videos.

The videos are not just for educational purposes; you will enjoy seeing them.

3. Tons of innovative features

Some noteworthy features include two subtitles, quick meaning with the correct pronunciation, the ability to control the voice speed, transcript along with the videos, loop sentence, and autoplay.

Some tools like AI voice, podcasts, and audio recording enhance your speaking and listening skills. You can also search for your favorite phrase from their Lingopie video dictionary.

And it is easy to start.

Just create a new account, begin with a 7-day trial, and voilà, you are ready to dive deep into an entertaining way to learn a language.

You don’t need to pass any test, or the app doesn’t have any levels decided you need to finish proceeding. You can randomly access whichever content you want to.

4. The design, UI, and UX are nice

Lingopie’s well-structured design sets it apart from other language apps. They have a top-notch dashboard that allows you to access nearly everything with just a few clicks.

Watch videos, learn the meaning from subtitles, select for future learning, and track your progress.

It tells the users where they are, what to do next, and how long it will take to reach the next milestone.

There is no cluttered stuff in Lingopie. Rather, it builds on what a user already knows through flashcards.

The organized design makes it easier for users to find exercises by eliminating tedious typing.

The UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) are appealing. Also, the modern, creative, and minimal layout gives an engaging and knockout involvement.

5. You can learn dialects and varieties

Do you want to learn different varieties of a language?

It is possible thanks to Lingopie. Selecting material tailored to a particular region is a superb feature.

If you are interested in learning one of the Spanish variants. You can see videos from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, etc. Likewise, you can enjoy TV shows from France and Canada to learn different varieties of French.

Disadvantages of Lingopie

As with everything, there are also some apparent drawbacks associated with the app.

1. There are few languages

You have many choices if you wish to practice a popular European language.

What if you have reasons to learn Korean or Hindi or dive into everything Japanese?

Unfortunately, you are out of luck!

Lingopie offers only 8 languages besides English. Although these are popular European languages, they need to add more languages to expand the community.

For example, they don’t have well-known languages like Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, etc. But they do plan to add many languages later.

2. This isn’t a proper learning course

Unlike Duolingo, Memrise, and Busuu, Lingopie does not teach you a new language from ground zero.

This is because this isn’t a language-learning app in the first place.

You will find yourself in the middle of nowhere if you lack motivation and don’t have a plan. In short, you’re on your own.

There are no grammar drills, practice sets, vocabulary lessons, and phonology exercises. There aren’t activities that extend a systematic approach to learning.

In the absence of formal instruction, you do random stuff. It could be better focused on relevant aspects of your style, goals, and existing level.

If you already have a good command of your target language and want to practice and improve further, then this will be helpful to you.

You can also maximize your benefits by combining it with other language resources and teachers.

How much does Lingopie cost?

Lingopie does not have free plans, but they offer a 7-day trial. So if you dislike it during the free period, you may cancel without paying a penny.

There are three options for premium membership.

Lingopie costs $12 per month. If you subscribe annually, the cost is $67. The long-term price is affordable and has a steep discount of 52%. Consider this plan if you aim to use the app even for a few months.

The price varies, depending on the country.

For example, it will be more in a country like the USA but on the lower side in India or the Philippines.

They also offer a friend and family plan, where up to four members can get access for $75 a year. So, if more than 1 member is interested in this app, this paid plan is quite reasonable.

Is Lingopie paid plan worth the money?

Paid subscriptions provide many impressive features, as you can see above. The price is also reasonable compared to similar learning platforms.

Yabla and FluentU, for example, cost $99 and $240 per year, significantly higher than Lingopie. Plus, they aren’t any better than Lingopie regarding quality and features.

In summary, it is inexpensive and provides value for money based on what it offers.

Regardless of how much you learn, you will enjoy tons of premium videos worldwide for your viewing pleasure!

My Lingopie Review: Good – 4.5/5

Learning something new is always challenging, especially in a foreign language.

Many online platforms promise to teach you a language by spending a few minutes daily. However, most of these products don’t work.

That’s how marketing works. When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. So don’t believe everything you hear or see online.

Lingopie, on the other hand, stands out from the crowd.

Rather than making tall claims, it does what it is meant to do — teaching a language in a fun way through interactive videos on its platform.

You will never be out of choice with tons of videos and unique features. You will learn new things and also enhance your target language.

Of course, it has some drawbacks too. For example, only a few language choices. They also do not teach you theory parts like grammar.

There isn’t a typical program to help you learn a language. It supplements such courses and books and shouldn’t replace them. The purpose of Lingopie is to practice and improve rather than learn from scratch.

The best thing is to check out the Lingopie.com site or app on the Android or Apple Store.

You can download the app or try the web version with a 7-day trial. It will take a few minutes to get an overall idea of how valuable it may be for you.

Let me know if you have questions about my review of Lingopie. You can also share your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box below!