14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released a new Android app, but this time it’s not supposed to provide access to one of its services.
The so-called Microsoft Learn Chinese app does exactly what its name suggests: it helps users learn Chinese using a set of highly straightforward features like artificial intelligence scoring, professional course material, a personalized learning program, and a conversational interface.
Furthermore, Microsoft says this Android app can help learn Chinese at native level, as the artificial intelligence can help practice pronunciation and practice conversations with chatbots, simulating the interaction with a real person.
“Have fun learning the most widely spoken language in the world, Chinese! Designed for all levels of Chinese learners, this app focuses on the most exciting part of the language: speaking it. By exploring a wide variety of everyday scenarios, you become exposed to essential vocabulary and grammar structures, helping you to speak Mandarin the way natives do,” Microsoft says in the description of the app.
Speaking Chinese like “natives”
It goes without saying that “Microsoft Learn Chinese” is available completely free of charge, and your device needs to be running at least Android 5.0 to install it.
While it’s important to keep in mind that this application is still in its early days on Android, it currently has a 3.6 rating out of a maximum of 5 in the Google Play Store, with some users calling for more improvements in the next updates.
“The positive here is it's free and it 'scores' you as you repeat the phrases. As a beginners lesson though, you might want to explain Pinyin and the vowel marks for the various tones,” one user requested.
You can download Microsoft Learn Chinese for Android using this link and make sure you send feedback for additional polishing.