Busuu Review 2024: Is It Good? Can It Make You Fluent?
Looking to learn another language and perhaps meet a few friends along the way? Busuu is an online language learning community that connects you to millions of other learners as you work to become certified in a foreign language.
Though the Busuu app does have some technical glitches, the online-focused approach to learning makes Busuu an ideal tool for those who are trying to teach themselves a new language on the go. It can also be used as a useful study aid for students learning a new language in school.
Busuu is available in an online or mobile format that each offers premium features for paid subscribers.
In this article, you will learn the answers to the following questions, as well as lots of other facts about Busuu:
Is Busuu any good? Does Busuu really work? Can you learn a language with Busuu?
What is Busuu?
Busuu is an online language learning community that was founded in 2008 to connect language learners from around the world. Busuu features self-paced lessons as well as a social platform to meet, chat, and learn from other users who are fluent in the language you’re trying to learn.
Busuu users have the opportunity to mentor other learners as well, leading to more collaboration and extra language practice.
Busuu is also a unique service in that it offers certification to users who complete lessons and pass skill tests. In 2015, Busuu partnered with education company McGraw-Hill Education, allowing Busuu to offer the opportunity to earn certification in a new language.
How Busuu works
Busuu is a uniquely social way to learn a new language online.
Available in both mobile and desktop formats, Busuu offers expertly formatted language learning courses as well as a convenient online platform to connect with native speakers.
Busuu courses focus on developing four main skills: Reading, writing listening and speaking.
The course plans are developed using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). CEFR has six stages of language learning levels from beginner to completely fluent. Busuu lessons reach the fourth level of CEFR standards, which is an advanced intermediate level.
Each language lesson is themed after a specific topic such as grocery shopping, transportation, or animals. During each lesson, you’ll gradually build new language skills while using words and concepts you previously learned. The repetition is intended to help learners remember the material and gradually advance their skills.
Lessons also include various practice activities, quizzes, and writing exercises.
Read relevant Do Language Learning Apps Truly work?
Users can practice their new skills on Busuu’s online community of more than 100 million fellow language learners and native speakers. You are free to send your language exercises to native speakers who will give you feedback and help further develop your language skills.
How to use Busuu
You can sign up for a free Busuu account and explore the interface and learning options. If you’re serious about learning a new language, you will likely want to purchase one of the subscriptions that Busuu offers.
Busuu learners can sit down at their computer every day for a few minutes of language learning, or they can download an app to their mobile device to study on the go. You do not need to have internet access to complete all of Busuu’s lessons, but it will likely be necessary when you’re uploading assignments and downloading new lesson materials.
Each lesson will be themed on a specific topic. Users learn vocabulary related to that theme along with some new grammar concepts. Users will also be assigned writing tasks that get edited by the Busuu online community.
Lessons also include conversational exercises to help learners get comfortable with using their new language.
Busuu also shows you your learning progress as you complete lessons. Users also receive a weekly progress report that goes over everything that was covered in the last seven days. This can be a great tool to save when you want to review old material.
What does Busuu cost?
You can sign up for a free Bussu account, or you can subscribe to a Premium membership.
A one-month Premium plan is € 9,99, a 12-month plan is € 5,83 per month, billed annually, and a 24-month plan is € 5,41 per month, billed biannually.
A Premium Plus plan is € 10,00 per month, a 12-month plan is € 6,66 per month, billed annually, and a 24-month plan is € 6,24 per month, billed biannually.
What is Busuu premium?
Busuu offers two paid services for users to choose from.
Busuu Premium is a paid option that unlocks more features including practice with native speakers, advanced grammar lessons, offline learning mode, options for education certifications, and an adaptive vocabulary trainer. Those enrolled in the Premium courses can participate in classroom sessions and have access to a wider range of learning materials.
There is also Busuu Premium Plus, which is a more expensive service that includes all of the Busuu Premium options as well as a personalized study plan, access to Busuu’s 12 language courses, and official certificates.
Each plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
You may get access to a Busuu premium plan through Busuu for Organizations, which provides employees of participating companies free access to premium Busuu memberships. There is also Busuu for Educators, which offers premium learning materials to students at participating schools. Check with your employer or school to see if they offer Busuu.
The free Busuu option has limited access that includes vocabulary flashcards for one language, which can be helpful if you’re using Busuu as a study aide along with another course. However, those who are using Busuu as their main resource to learn a language should consider one of the paid subscription options.
Is Busuu Premium worth it?
Busuu Premium unlocks many of the more unique and beneficial features that Busuu offers, so it will be worth it if you plan on using Busuu as your main method of learning a new language.
With a Premium membership, you can also take exams to become certified in the language that you’re learning. Certification can pay off in the future with more career and travel opportunities.
What languages can you learn on Busuu?
Busuu has 12 languages you can choose from including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, Russian, and Arabic.
There is also a Busuu course, which is a nearly extinct language.
Can you learn a language with Busuu?
Busuu gives users a solid intermediate understanding of 12 common languages. It is difficult to become completely fluent just by using an online language learning program, but Busuu will certainly give you enough skills that you can use and build on with more practice and exposure.
Busuu states that it can get users to a CEFR level B2, which is an advanced intermediate understanding of the language. At a B2 level, you should be able to discuss topics you’re familiar with and understand the main points being made in a conversation.
Does Busuu teach grammar?
Yes. Busuu gradually introduces grammar concepts throughout the themed lessons, so you’re learning grammar along with new vocabulary words and phrases. You’ll also have writing exercises to complete where you will use the grammar you learn in the lessons.
Busuu features that help you to become fluent:
Busuu lessons focus on topics that are useful and realistic. If you plan on traveling to another country where you’ll need to use your new language, you’ve likely already learned enough from Busuu lessons to communicate gracefully.
Another great resource is Busuu’s massive online community. Busuu users can get feedback on their language skills and mentor other learners on their skills. You can also start a conversation using the Busuu conversation feature.
What is Busuu conversation?
Busuu’s conversation feature prompts users to come up with a conversation starter to share with the online community. A native speaker can respond to your conversation and give you feedback. Conversations can be recorded audio or written down, depending on your preferences. You can keep a conversation going as long as you like.
How do I get a Busuu certificate?
Busuu English, French, Spanish, and German courses include certified tests by McGraw-Hill Education. Learners can take the tests at any time, or when they’re done with a level. The tests will examine how well you mastered skills according to CEFR levels A1, A2, B1, and B2. Once you pass a test, you can download and print a PDF certificate. Certificates can also be shared on social media and added to your resume.
Is a Busuu certificate valid?
Busuu certificates are offered by McGraw-Hill Education, a recognized and trusted education company that publishes a wide range of learning materials and curriculum.
Can Busuu make you fluent?
You likely won’t become completely fluent with Busuu, but your language skills will improve with regular use. The company specializes in language learning at the beginner to upper-intermediate level. That means you can expect to reach intermediate level B2 under CEFR with consistent use of Busuu. Completing level B2 in language learning means you have enough skills to discuss important issues, understand the main points of news stories, take part in extended conversations about familiar topics, write a story, and describe the plot of a film.
An independent study in 2016 found that 22 hours of using Busuu Premium was equivalent to a semester of college language learning. The study also found that every participant improved their skills after 16 hours of using Busuu, according to the company’s website.
Busuu pros and cons
Of 9,454 total reviews on Trustpilot Busuu has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating. Users also commented on Busuu’s advantages and disadvantages.
Most common things people like about Busuu
- Users say they have a good customer support experience with Busuu
- The feedback from the Busuu community is helpful for learning
- Lessons are done at your own pace so there’s no pressure to keep up with an entire class
Most common things people don’t like about Busuu
- Users note problems with Busuu’s mobile application
- Some said that Busuu will auto-renew your subscription without prior notification
- There are limits to what you can learn and practice with Busuu, such as pronunciation
FAQ:
Is the Busuu app safe?
The Busuu app does put you in communication with people all around the world, so you should be careful about revealing any personal details to other users. However, the Busuu community is focused on language learning. According to Busuu’s Privacy Policy, the company does not share or sell users’ personal information. Your Profile information is displayed to other users except for your email address and password.
How do I cancel my Busuu free trial?
To cancel your Busuu subscription or free trial, you’ll need to access your account from the location you subscribed from (usually either the website or mobile application). Busuu has step-by-step instructions on how to cancel a subscription available online.
How do I get a refund from Busuu?
Busuu has a 14-day money-back guarantee, which means you’ll need to cancel your subscription within the first two weeks after you purchase it. Busuu does not offer refunds after a subscription renews, according to information on its website. Subscriptions can be canceled before the next renewal date to end future payments.
Is Busuu worth the money?
Busuu is certainly worth the money if you are trying to learn a new language on your own, or if you want a well-organized study aide to help you through school. Busuu paid versions are more affordable if you pay upfront, so consider your learning goals and how long you plan on using Busuu.
Of course, there are other online language learning resources available, but Busuu connects you to other language learners. If you are a person who enjoys collaborating on assignments and communicating with new people, Busuu is certainly suited to you.
