8 Best Spanish Reading Apps in 2024
If you want to boost your Spanish reading skills, you’ll need some practice.
You’ll also need… your smartphone!
With Spanish reading apps, you can focus on reading like never before and take your comprehension skills to the next level.
Whether you’re using Android or iOS, whether you’re a beginner or near-native speaker, there’s something great out there for you!
Contents
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
1. Readlang
Available on: Browser
Price: Basic version is free | $ per month for premium
Readlang is a web-based app that allows you to turn any Spanish-language website into a learning lesson.
Once you’ve installed Readlang, you can instantly translate words or phrases on websites. You can click on a word or drag to highlight a phrase, and a translation will appear instantly. Perhaps best of all, the words and phrases you translate are saved as flashcards so that you can practice them more later.
This unique format and personalized reading experience makes Readlang ideal for Spanish students with some basic knowledge who are looking to improve their reading skills.
The basic version is free and allows you unlimited flashcards and word translations along with 10 phrase translations per day. For $6 per month, you get unlimited flashcards, word translations and phrase translations.
2. FluentU
Available on: iOS | Android | Browser
Price: $$ per month
With FluentU, you can practice reading and listening at the same time. The app offers video clips from authentic Spanish media accompanied by downloadable transcripts and interactive subtitles available in Spanish and English.
Instead of having to interrupt your reading to refer to a translator or dictionary, you can just hover over or click on any unfamiliar word to see its translation, grammatical information and more.
After watching a video, you’ll take a personalized quiz to review the key vocabulary from the clip. You can also add new words and phrases to a flashcard deck for later review.
With a large and continuously updated library of videos including movie trailers, music videos, news segments and more, you won’t run out of content to practice your reading skills along with the other key language skills.
3. MosaLingua
Available on: iOS | Android | Browser
Price: Basic version is free | $ per month for MosaLingua Premium
That’s because MosaLingua Premium comes with access to a carefully built library of materials for learners, including e-books. By exploring the content in the library, you can not only practice your reading directly, but also use the translation tool to get instant definitions for any words and phrases you don’t know.
You can then add those words and phrases to your flashcards, which sync across all devices and so will be waiting for you on your phone for on-the-go learning!
The most basic version of MosaLingua is free and MosaLingua Premium costs $59.90 for a year or $9.49 per month.
4. Beelinguapp
Price: Free to download | $ per month for premium
After choosing a text, you’ll be able to read it in both your target language and another language, such as Spanish and English. The texts also feature audio, allowing you to listen to the content being read aloud as you follow along.
With a premium account, you’ll be able to access more content as well as find definitions and translations of specific terms used in the text.
5. Parallel Books
Available on: iOS
Price: Free
On Parallel Books, once you’ve selected the book you want to read, you can download it into your library in both languages. If you want to focus on reading in Spanish, choose Spanish as the main language and simply tap on a paragraph to find its translation in English.
There are tons of books available in Spanish and English, from classics like “Alice in Wonderland” to official documents, like the United Nation’s “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
6. Unuhi
Price: Free to download | $ per book
On this app, you’ll be able to flip through the pages and find the story written in English and in Spanish, above and below the image.
You can also access flashcards and click on the sentences to hear the text read aloud.
While these illustrated books are designed for children aged between 3-8 years old, they are a useful resource for beginner Spanish learners, as well as with those who are interested in practicing reading and Spanish pronunciation.
7. Leo con Grin by Educaplanet
Price: Basic version is free | $ for additional content
Leo con Grin (I Read with Grin) is geared toward kids, especially the digital native generation; but again, it’s an effective reading practice tool that Spanish learners of all ages can use.
The app focuses on helping you read Spanish from scratch. First, you’ll learn letters. Then, you’ll use these letters to build words. Then, you’ll use these words to build sentences. This will ensure you understand what you read.
There are 30 lessons in total focused on particular letters or sounds and presenting words that use them.
The app also uses phonics to help you get that perfect pronunciation.
8. BBC Mundo
Price: Free
For more advanced Spanish students who are looking to improve their reading skills, BBC Mundo (BBC World) is an excellent choice.
This Spanish-language app from the BBC provides up-to-date news stories perfect for intermediate to advanced Spanish students. Headlines offer quick, easy reading practice. Plus, if you don’t understand a word, you can refer to the associated image for helpful context clues.
Along with the reading practice, you’ll also be getting exposure to the issues that are relevant to the Spanish-speaking world.
If you enjoy reading the news, click here to find more Spanish news resources!
Why Use an App to Learn to Read Spanish?
While tearing through your bookshelf is always a great way to get reading practice, there are some unique benefits to adding apps to your study regimen.
Learning Features
For one thing, apps that aim to help you improve your Spanish reading skills offer more reading support than standard print resources. For instance, these apps typically offer translations, so it’s easy to find an unfamiliar word’s meaning quickly (rather than always having to flip through a dictionary). Plus, many apps have quizzes and activities to help reinforce your learning.
Long Term Learning
Additionally, apps are interactive, so they’re more engaging. Since you can click along, look up words and/or enjoy special features, apps are more likely to hold your attention than standard books or reading lessons. This is likely to keep you using the app longer, and that’ll lead to increased learning.
Convenience
Finally, Spanish reading apps are convenient. Since you can download apps to your favorite device, you can easily use them anywhere you are. Plus, you can have multiple reading apps on a small, handy device rather than lugging around a bunch of textbooks. Again, the convenience of apps makes you more likely to use them, which means more reading practice and continuous learning.
Try these apps to upgrade your Spanish reading skills with the tap of a button!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
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