Nemo apps – Learning a language when you don’t have much time

We’re always on the go. If you want to learn a foreign language and feel you don’t have much time, we have you covered: Nemo apps could help!

With the tools we have today, even though you may be very busy, you can still start to learn a language.

In most cases, people don’t have time to learn a language because they’re still not excited about it. Once they are motivated, time is not an issue anymore.

So, if that’s you, then take a look at this app! A couple of words to define it are: nice and simple. However, it only covers the basics. Most other platforms set daily goals, but not this one. You can pick it up at your own pace. Consequently, you don’t need any commitment. The app attracts users to practice daily without the pressure of goals or deadlines.

What are Nemo apps?

Nemo Apps are language learning tools that teach simple phrases and words. They have a spaced repetition system (SRS) to maximize efficiency.

Nemo has launched a whole series of apps. Nemo has launched a whole series of apps. When writing this article, they have 34 apps under their umbrella. One for each one of the 34 languages they support.

You can download these apps for iOS and Android. A free version of any of them is available. So, you can see for yourself if their style is for you. Once you make up your mind, then consider their paid version. Each language has a paid version that you only buy once, and it costs $6.

Do you want to get exposed to the language you’re learning? Then install this app on your device. The process of opening and beginning to use the app’s flashcards is quick. The content gets downloaded onto your device, so you don’t need an Internet connection. And thus, you can practice everywhere.. There will be no need for a spot with WiFi or to consume your data.

Which languages are in the Nemo apps family?

European languages: Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Asian languages: Cantonese, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Sinhala, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese.

Middle East languages: Arabic, Hebrew, and Turkish.

Here on our site, we focus on delivering tools for learning Italian. And these apps work similarly for all 34 languages. So, what we mention in this post about Nemo Italian, roughly applies to all the rest.

How do Nemo apps work?

The main feature of the app is the use of flashcards. Their goal is to teach you words and basic phrases following an SRS model.

Once you watch a flashcard, you have the option to consider it “hot” or “cold.” If you would like to review it again soon, you assign it to the “hot” category. Accordingly, when you’ve already mastered it, you label it as “cold.”

You don’t have to tell the system if you got the word or phrase correct or incorrect. You just have to swipe the card up or down, depending on if you want to place it in the “hot” or “cold” category.

Audio content on the flashcards

A pleasant surprise was that the audio content on the Italian Nemo app is of good quality. Therefore, words and phrases are perfectly pronounced by a real human being that also is a native speaker. There are a lot of platforms out there that use machines to produce their audio.

In Nemo Italian, for each flashcard, you also have access to an English translation.

Nemo apps do not demand commitment!

This is a surprising statement. What do we mean by this? Being dedicated to learning a language is a good thing.

However, the app itself enforces no pressure on you to follow a program. Are you looking for the minimum number of cards you have to review daily? That does not exist on this app.

Whenever you have some spare time, you can open the app and do several flashcards. And at any moment, you can put down the app and continue your day. Further on, when you have some more free time, you can go back to the app.

Most programs that use an SRS model have a fixed quantity of flashcards you must review daily. But Nemo apps leave you to decide this.

How far away can you get with Nemo Italian?

The app only deals with the basics. The paid version has 1300 words/phrases. So, you won’t get even to an intermediate level with this app.

Can you introduce new words or phrases into the app?

No, you can’t. The existing deck of cards is all you’ll get.

However, a lot of people would have wanted this to be different. But these apps only have a limited number of flashcards.

This limitation is a surprise for many. When it comes to flashcards, most people are well acquainted with Anki. And Anki does allow you to introduce new words or phrases.

Are Nemo apps similar to Anki?

There are similarities but also differences. First, let us mention some of the main differences.

Differences between Nemo apps and Anki

1. With Nemo Apps, you are not able to add your own words and phrases. And with Anki, you can.

2. Nemo apps have a free version. And they also have a paid version with more content in it. On the other hand, Anki is free (no matter how much content you put into it).

3. With Nemo Apps, there is no need to explicitly say when you got a word correct or incorrect. You swipe up or down if you want the card to come up soon again or not. With Anki, you have to say if you got the word or phrase correct or incorrect.

4. Nemo apps are aesthetically pleasing. Anki has a non-attractive interface. As an insight, we could mention that Nemo apps feel like a well-made Anki deck.

Now, there are also some strong similarities between these programs. Let us go over two of them.

Similarities between Nemo apps and Anki

1. Both Anki and Nemo apps have an SRS model working on the back end.

2. Both Anki and Nemo apps come with audio content.

Are Nemo apps worth giving a try?

We will let you answer that one. But if you are struggling to decide, here is a list of pros and cons. Let us start with the cons.

Nemo app cons

1. Limited content on the app. It won’t take you to an intermediate level in the language.

2. You can’t upload your own words and phrases.

3. Once you finish and master all the content on the app, it doesn’t connect you to another platform. It would be nice to have a sequel that continues forwarding you in the language.

Nemo app pros

1. Slick design, and it works well.

2. You can use it offline.

3. Very simple to pick up and leave when being on the go.

Wrapping up

Some people need the pressure to complete tasks. And Nemo Apps believes the opposite. You will not find daily requirements on their platform. So for those people, this may be a negative point.

This same aspect is a positive point for others. They say they can use the app whenever they have a chance. Hence, these users express their disapproval of apps that have daily requirements. Some even share that the pressure is counterproductive. Rushing through some deck of cards at 11 PM does not leave good results. Therefore, their point is that the original intention of keeping a user engaged is not met. And users end up going through the flashcards mechanically to meet their daily requirements.

Our take is that a certain amount of pressure is good for learning a language. But students that disapprove of this form of pressure argue that the app is appealing. And that they would naturally gravitate towards the app whenever they have a chance. Hence, the pressure is an undesired element.

And you? What do you prefer?

Here is my suggestion. You should give this app a try. The free version is helpful.

And the paid version? That is up to you. But you can base your decision on your experience with Nemo Apps.

When it comes to purchasing a tool for learning a language, I prefer to embark on a long-term journey with the platform. What do I mean? A platform that can take you from a beginner stage to advance (or at least into an intermediate level).

So, purchasing app after app and only gaining a little progress can be exhausting. But the decision is yours.

Are you at a beginner level in Italian and would like to buy a tool that would be useful for a long-lasting period? Please check out this post to read what I would recommend for the long run.

I hope this post has helped you learn about Nemo apps and decide if it’s for you or not. Do you have any questions or suggestions? That comment box below is all yours.