Speechling Application Review: Is It Worth It?

Emma Miller
4 min readDec 25, 2023

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Hi there! I’m Emma, an English teacher based in the vibrant heart of Washington DC. My passion lies in exploring and reviewing various tools that can make mastering English a breeze for learners worldwide. In this article, I’ll take you through an in-depth review of the Speechling application. My aim is to unveil its features, dissect its effectiveness, and see if it truly can be a game-changer in your journey to speaking fluent English. So, let’s dive right in!

Image of Emma, an English teacher from Washington DC, introducing her in-depth Speechling application review.

Speechling Application Overview

Speechling is an educational app dedicated to helping users improve their spoken English. It integrates various interactive methods to practice speaking and listening skills. The app caters to a wide audience, with features designed for both beginners and intermediate English learners. At its heart, Speechling offers a blend of audio-based exercises and feedback mechanisms, making it a straightforward tool for those looking to enhance their English language proficiency.

How Speechling Works

Now, let’s explore how Speechling really works. The app offers several practice methods, including the ‘listen and repeat’ exercise. Here’s how it goes: you listen to a phrase, then record yourself repeating it, allowing for a side-by-side comparison. After recording, you have the choice to either re-record your attempt or send it directly to your coach for feedback.

Screenshot of Speechling’s ‘listen and repeat’ exercise, demonstrating the app’s self-evaluation feature for practicing English phrases.

What’s unique here is the self-evaluation aspect. You decide how challenging the phrase was for you — labeling it as hard, okay, or easy. This is where it gets interesting: if you found the phrase hard, you’re prompted to repeat it within a minute. But if it was easy, you revisit it after four days. This approach is similar to a flashcard-style learning system, adapting to your comfort level with each phrase.

Content and Core Curriculum of Speechling

Next up, let’s check out something interesting. In the ‘Skills’ tab, you’ll find the Speechling Core curriculum. The lessons here are categorized by levels, making it easy to find what suits your proficiency. When you select a level, it takes you to its flashcards. For instance, the Intermediate 1 level includes 360 cards, and Advanced 1 boasts 559 cards.

Other Features

Speechling also offers a variety of other practice options. In the ‘Conversations’ section, you’ll find three distinct types of exercises: ‘Answer the Question,’ ‘Describe the Image,’ and ‘Freestyle Mode.’ Each of these is designed to cater to different aspects of language practice. The layout and instructions here are quite straightforward, making it easy to dive right in without the need for extra exploration.

Speechling Plans and Prices

Speechling provides three different subscription plans to suit various learning needs and budgets. The options include a monthly plan priced at $23, a quarterly plan at $57, and an annual plan for $191. One crucial aspect to consider is that Speechling does not offer a free trial period for any of these plans.

The options include a monthly plan priced at $23, a quarterly plan at $57, and an annual plan for $191.

Speechling’s Limitations

While Speechling offers several beneficial features, it’s important to acknowledge areas where it falls short. Notably, the app lacks video lessons and interactive conversational practice, which are key elements in many popular English learning apps. Moreover, Speechling does not include AI-powered feedback or role-playing exercises, both of which are becoming increasingly common in language learning platforms for their effectiveness in simulating real-life conversations and providing nuanced language insights.

Another critical aspect where Speechling lacks is in-depth feedback on pronunciation and intonation, essential components of achieving fluency. Although the feedback provided by Speechling coaches is beneficial for basic improvements, it often fails to deliver the comprehensive insights necessary for advanced language mastery. This could limit the app’s utility for learners looking to improve their English skills beyond the intermediate level.

ChatterFox: an Alternative to Speechling

For non-native English speakers who regularly interact with native speakers and aim for clear, fluent English, the Speechling app might not be the most suitable solution. In such cases, you need tools focused on pronunciation improvement or accent reduction. That’s where alternatives like ChatterFox come into play. ChatterFox offers video lessons, an AI-powered practice and feedback system, and personalized coaching by an accent expert.

Currently, ChatterFox is offering an attractive deal with a 33% discount, plus a 7-day trial, making it an opportune time to explore their services. This promotion is a great chance for those curious about ChatterFox to try it out.

https://chatterfox.com/

Author Recommendation

Returning to our initial question: Is the Speechling app worth it? Can it really take your English fluency to the next level? The answer is a mix of yes and no. Here’s my take: Speechling is a helpful choice for improving general English, particularly for beginners and intermediate learners.

For those seeking more comprehensive tools, the market offers better-equipped premium apps. ChatterFox, for instance, excels with its advanced AI technology and personalized accent coaching, catering to nuanced aspects of language learning. For learners aiming higher, particularly in pronunciation and conversation, ChatterFox is a compelling alternative to consider.

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Emma Miller

English As a Second Language Teacher, Accent Coach, American Pronunciation and Fluency Training