New Survey Reveals Why Language App Users Struggle (And Where They Succeed)

Memrise Data Indicates Shift from Conventional Learning Motivations

LONDON (Nov. 7, 2023) – Memrise, a leader in innovative language learning with over 70 million app users across 189 countries, today announced the findings of a report that unearthed the changing habits, challenges and motivations of today’s language learners.

With international travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, foreign language media making headway in English-speaking territories and workforces globalizing in the digital age, the motivations for everyday language learners are changing, which is precisely what Memrise studied in surveying its global user base.

Some key findings are below:

• 45% of respondents say they are learning because they love the culture, and want to engage with film, music and other media in their target language
• More than half of respondents are learning a new language because it’s a productive hobby that keeps their minds active
• 65% of language learners identify a lack of opportunities to practice in the real-world as the biggest challenge
• One-third of respondents say they’re learning to expand career opportunities

“This research offers a vital snapshot of the present-day learner: driven by passion, enabled by technology, and inspired by global cultures,” said Memrise Co-Founder Ben Whately. “As we look to the future, it’s clear that the blend of entertainment and education will play a pivotal role in bridging linguistic barriers. As language learners’ habits and motivations transform, it’s imperative that learning solutions keep pace, offering both innovative tools and relevant insights to guide their journeys.”

The emergence of a modern language learner who chooses to learn as a hobby is deeply intertwined with the consumption of media in their target languages. The data underscores this, revealing that 24.7% of learners who immerse themselves in media in the language they are studying ‘frequently’ or ‘all the time’ report feeling on track or ahead in their language proficiency. In contrast, those who rarely or never engage with media in their target language feel less progress, with 30.1% feeling they are struggling or falling behind.