Babbel is one of the most popular language-learning apps worldwide, and there’s a good reason for that.
It’s both totally beginner-friendly and suitable for more experienced learners, and the language learning app includes a wide variety of helpful features that help you to optimize your language learning ability and language skills.
Another reason a lot of people are choosing to use Babbel over other language-learning apps is that the app is suitable for use while driving.
Here’s how to use Babbel (safely and responsibly) while driving to make the most productive use of your commute. Read on to learn “How to use Babbel in my car?”
Why Learn A Language While Driving?
You might be wondering why you would choose to learn a foreign language while driving a car.
This is a valid question. After all, wouldn’t it be better to save your core lessons for when you’re in a stationary environment, dedicating all your attention to learning?
Well, yes, in an ideal world.
Admittedly, Babbel is one of the most efficient apps for language learning (you can learn a language in as little as 6 months if you dedicate 15 minutes per day to the various exercises). (Check out ‘Babbel Breakdown: Full List Of Languages‘)
However, the reality is that not everyone has even 15 minutes per day to dedicate solely to language learning.
For some people, their daily commute is pretty much their only free time.
Even if you do have 15 minutes per day to set aside for learning a language, you might want to practice for longer than this every day to make sure the information is retained.
Obviously, when you’re driving, you can’t take your eyes off the road. That would be very dangerous.
However, you can still focus on the listening and speaking aspects of language learning while maintaining focus on what’s happening around you, visually.
This type of learning is called passive learning, and while active learning is essential if you want to make real progress, passive learning is an important foundation, and it’s safe to do while you’re in control of a vehicle.
Just as you could safely listen to an audiobook or have a conversation with your passenger while driving, you can use some of Babbel’s language-learning features to make daily progress in your chosen language.
Babbel Features for Learning A Language While Driving
1. Hands-Free Mode
Compared to some other language-learning methods and apps, Babbel is safer to use while driving because the app includes a hands-free mode which means you never have to physically interact with your phone while using it.
The hands-free mode in the Babbel app means you can enjoy audio-only lessons, often taught by native speakers. You could, for example, choose to learn Spanish from native Spanish speakers.
All you need to do is listen, and that’s perfect when you’re in control of a moving vehicle because it demands minimal concentration while still allowing for passive absorption of the information. (See also ‘Can You Learn More Than One Language On Babbel?‘)
2. Speaking And Listening Exercises
Babbel does have reading and writing exercises on the app, but for obvious reasons, it’s not safe to do these while driving.
However, Babbel also has plenty of exercises that test your speaking and listening skills, so as long as you’re using the hands-free mode, you can go ahead and do these without compromising your safety in the car.
It’s no different from listening to the radio or speaking to someone in the passenger seat.
How To Use Babbel In My Car (Safely)
Even with the features the Babbel app offers to make it easier to learn a language while driving, it’s important to be extra careful not to put yourself in unsafe situations any time you’re doing something other than driving behind the wheel.
Here’s how to make sure that your language-learning sessions while driving are as safe and responsible as possible:
1. Never Take Your Eyes Off The Road
This goes without saying, but when using Babbel while driving, you should never, ever take your eyes off the road.
There should be no need to do this anyway since you can use the hands-free mode, but make sure you’re looking at your surroundings carefully and not allowing yourself to get distracted by your phone screen, or lost in thought as you practice your speaking and listening.
2. Use the Hands-Free Option
The Babbel hands-free mode is an absolute must if you decide to use the app while driving.
You should never have your phone in your hand while driving.
If you come to the end of your Babbel interactive audio course and want to switch to a different lesson or make a hands-free phone call, you will need to use software such as Siri to ensure that you can make the switch without physically reaching for your phone.
3. Don’t Do Too Much At Once
Listening and speaking, which are the only exercises Babbel will allow you to do using the hands-free mode, may be considered passive learning, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require concentration.
When using Babbel behind the wheel, you should do your very best not to get distracted by anything else.
Having too many things taking up your attention, even passively, can be dangerous when you need to maintain focus on the road (plus, having too much going on at once doesn’t make for productive language learning).
It’s best to use Babbel while driving only if you’re the only person in the vehicle, and if your commute is relatively quiet.
If the area in which you’re driving requires a lot of complex navigation or careful maneuvering, trying to focus on your language lesson is probably not a good idea.
Similarly, if you have children arguing in the back of your car, adding a language lesson on top of that is not a recipe for responsible driving (or a successful learning process).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Babbel Lessons Last?
Each Babbel lesson lasts for around 10 to 15 minutes, which is a good amount of time to fit in during your commute. Even a short drive should be enough time for one lesson.
Which Other Language Apps Can Be Used While Driving?
If you need to fit all your language learning into your daily commute, Babbel is a great option, but there are also other apps that will allow you to learn a target language while you drive. For example, Rosetta Stone provides audio companion lessons that mean you don’t have to look at or interact with your screen while you learn. Neither is a free app, so keep that in mind.
How Does Babbel Compare To Rosetta Stone?
Although both Babbel and Rosetta Stone allow you to learn a new language while driving, you may want to choose Babbel over Rosetta Stone if you want to be able to progress at a faster pace. Babbel covers more material more quickly, so if your only language-learning time is your daily 15-minute commute, it will be the better option for you.
Final Thoughts
Babbel is an excellent app for learning a language while driving, thanks to its hands-free mode, quick 15-minute lessons, and exercises focused on speaking and listening.
While you still need to make sure you’re paying close attention to the road at all times when driving, Babbel makes it easy to do this while progressing on your language-learning journey by allowing you to take part in audio lessons without needing to interact with your phone screen at all.
Remember to back up the passive learning you can do with Babbel while driving with more active learning exercises at home!