Let’s review FlashSticks – an awesome free app
As you have noticed, we are committed to discovering the latest language learning apps and helping you with your English learning; this time, we are reviewing FlashSticks, a free interactive mobile app that is set to expand the vocabulary of your desired language. What sets it apart from others is its extensive use of Post-it notes. Exciting? Richard, one of the original founders of FlashSticks, believes that this app is ideal for learning a new language fast, and we couldn’t agree more.
The success behind this language app is the visual stimulation it offers through Post-it notes, which in this case are called FlashSticks.
How does the app work?
- Use the FlashSticks app to scan any objects around you; the scanning will produce the name of the object in the language of your choice. Optionally, you can enable the audio functionality to listen to the pronunciation of the new word as well. Both of these features are free of charge.
- If you are a beginner, the starter pack will accelerate your learning path: a set of 100 words of the language you wish to learn, with related sticky notes, smartly coded in colours based on the grammatical gender of each word, will be delivered to you. You can stick the notes at your office or home, and start scanning them with your app; it’s that simple! Stick and learn a few words each day! The starter pack is charged separately. With that, you get a pronunciation tutor. You can trigger this video functionality to cross-check your pronunciation against the native voice.
- You can access your notes via the app at any time; you have no excuses to keep moving along your learning journey.
- There are 10,000 words and phrases to learn for the language of your choice; this is not just an app for memorising long lists of words.
- You can also test your learning progress with challenges that the app offers. The leadership board will keep track of your progress and show your actual score.
Why do we like it?
Whether you are learning a new language from scratch or you wish to improve your vocabulary range and pronunciation outside the classroom, it’s important to practise every day. The FlashSticks app offers visual stimulation to language learners of any age: with the smart colour coded Post-it notes, you essentially associate a new phrase or word with an image, making it easier to memorise. We tried scanning various objects and the translation we got was pretty accurate. Does it sound too good to be true? Give it a try and you will be surprised.
Another reason as to why we like this new app is that it’s interactive: it allows the user to record his own pronunciation and compare it to the native speakers the app is collaborating with. Clever, don’t you find? And for a simple grammar brush-up, the app offers the Grammar Tip feature, so your conjugation skills will be perfect! We haven’t tested those two features yet, but their concept is smart, and we are sure they represent an excellent complimentary tool to all language learners.
We can’t stress it enough: learning a language is all about motivation; we appreciate that the FlashSticks app helps your motivation levels stay high: you can transform your learning journey into a more playful experience and challenge your friends or colleagues on the battlefield. A little healthy competition never hurts anyone, don’t you agree?
Conclusion
The FlashSticks app is an excellent way to start learning English or improving your language skills further; the available sticky notes are aimed at beginners, intermediate and advanced English learners. Just choose the word pack that relates to your language knowledge level and start practising.
It’s also a great plus to be able to learn anywhere, at any time, and with this language app you can start learning on the go!
Even if you don’t wish to purchase the FlashStick notes, the app is excellent for scanning objects and getting their English names. Whether you are in a situation when you don’t remember that particular term, or you would like to know the English name of an object that is entirely new to you, this app is extremely helpful!