Review of MosaLingua: Is the app worth it?

MosaLingua is a well-known flashcard-based language learning app. But is it worth your time and money? How good and effective is it? Can you really learn a language through this education platform? Find all in this honest review of MosaLingua.

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Learning a second or third language may be incredibly helpful for your job growth and well-being, regardless of your field. It also allows the improvement of mental talents at any age.

While most students study a new language throughout their school years, gaining a new skill is never too late. That is why adult language learners account for a significant portion of the population worldwide.

Most of them cannot devote their whole time to language study due to a lack of time. And speaking from personal experience, mastering a new language is never simple. You’ll be puzzled about the proper usages and pronunciations, especially if you’re studying it alone.

Some market players have rightly recognized the need to achieve both sides of the time balance while learning a challenging language. So they’ve created brilliant mobile and desktop apps and software to help you learn languages.

Anybody with a smartphone, tablet, or computer may use it, and it does not cause the use of a language school.

Mobile Apps are also far less expensive than taking genuine language courses online or at a language school. MosaLingua is one such option. So let’s find out everything in this honest 2023 MosaLingua review.

All About the MosaLingua Language Platform

This MosaLingua review covers everything you need to know about this language learning app.

What is MosaLingua?

MosaLingua is a smartphone app that teaches helpful and everyday words and phrases in your target language. It uses spaced repetition (SRS) to assist language learners in acquiring them.

In essence, MosaLingua is a flashcard program at its core, a fantastic one. Therefore, it is an ideal option if you want to expand your vocabulary.

Other features include books and audiobooks, films, music, and reference lists in the web edition. You can also save time by not having to look for things independently.

As you’d expect, you can access MosaLingua on Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, and the web version on PC & Mac.

The History of MosaLingua

Samuel Michelot, a software engineer, founded MosaLingua in 2009. Luca Sadurny has been another co-founder since the early days. 

The headquarter of the company is in Lyon, France. It is a European-based company with a team of 30 across the globe. With over 11 million users as of 2023, it has become a popular name in online language education.

MosaLingua is a bootstrap business that operates on profit. They are yet to receive funding.

It has implemented technology at its core since its inception. So, it has always been immersive, flexible, and fully accessible on mobile and computers.

Who is MosaLingua for?

The company claims it is beneficial for everyone.

It helps everyone who wishes to study and improve a new language through self-study. You learn unfamiliar words, sentences, and grammar rules. It also enhances your speaking and listening proficiency.

Using real-life situations and visual games in bite-sized lessons and tasks encourages practice and learning. Plus, it isn’t boring. Instead, it is engaging, easygoing, and entertaining.

It is more geared and appropriate for absolute beginners. But, it is also valuable for lower intermediate learners with a previous background.Beyond that, it won’t be that helpful. So if you already have decent skills or stand at an advanced level, try some other language education apps.

Languages Available on MosaLingua

Unlike other popular language learning platforms like Duolingo, Memrise, Rosetta Stone, etc., MosaLingua does not offer many languages.

They teach Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese to non-native speakers.

The platform also prepares for tests like TOEIC, TOEFL, and specialized business and medical courses. It also has Business Spanish.

What are the types of courses?

There are 4 different choices. Select the one that best fits your level, requirement, and learning goals.

(i) MosaLingua Premium

With an intent to introduce vocabulary and expressions in authentic contexts, this is their primary plan. It uses an immersive approach to help you enhance the language of your choice.

This course includes multimedia resources like texts, books, audiobooks, and videos for beginners and intermediate learners.

The MosaLingua Premium is available on iOS and Android and has a web version. You can get access to all languages through this subscription.

(ii) MosaSeries

Listening is one of the most difficult aspects of any language. And to help you enhance your listening comprehension, check out MosaSeries.

Through 24 episodes of an addictive story — “The Man with No Name,” the program familiarizes new vocabulary. It also improves your grammar and listening skills.The program is available in 5 European languages — Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish. It is for both beginners (A1) and elementary level (A2).

(iii) MosaSpeak

Do you wish to speak your target language with the right sound, accents, and conviction? 

This is what MosaSpeak is all about.

This program has 10 modules to help you enhance the language you’re studying. The step-by-step modules encourage you to express yourself more efficiently and accurately. And you will have fun doing that.

You can try MosaSpeak in 5 languages: English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. In English, they have two plans: MasterClass Coaching and Plus.

(iv) MosaTraining

If you want to learn a language and need the advice of language experts or polyglots, you can check MosaTraining.

Unlike other programs that help you learn any language, here you teach yourself. You will access vital tools and resources for learning a language efficiently and quickly.

They do not relate this to any language, which is fruitful for all languages. So, from complete beginners to low-intermediate learners, it will be helpful.

How does it work?

MosaLingua’s tools and platform are excellent for immersing yourself in your target language.

You may finish courses at your own speed because they are self-paced. Plus, you can keep track of your progress, make flashcards, and talk with an instructor.

Each language has many levels to choose from.

For instance, there were 19 levels with conversations, flashcards, and audiobooks for the language I picked. The Flashcards are language-dependent.

They used a unique teaching mechanism that will notify you instantly if the instruction is skipping your memory limits.

To pass the lessons, you do not need to write an exam. All you have to do is listen to the audiobooks and conversations, which are pre-programmed to help you learn.

Each unit comprises a collection of flashcards to practice using your auditory and visual memory. This is while you record yourself repeating the word or phrase. There are no tests or quizzes.

Typically, a class will begin with flashcards. After that, you start by studying and practicing, which includes an image and audio with the pronunciation. Then you can videotape yourself repeating the word.

Because MosaLingua’s strategy is based on flashcards and spaced repetition, you can remain assured that the AI keeps track of everything you do with the program.

This allows the platform to assist you in reviewing words and phrases you’ve learned.

You may also aid by pressing the button that reminds the AI to review you on that word or phrase next time. You can do it if you’re unsure about understanding a particular vocabulary.

You can, fortunately, record and replay as many times as you like! But you will not get a phonetic and grammar explanation. This might be valuable in languages where the same term has distinct sounds or uses.

What makes MosaLingua unique?

The MosaLearning approach is based on six elements from cognitive science and psychology:

1. Spaced Repetition System

Spaced repetition system increases intervals between previously learned and already gained knowledge to maintain complete information.

You can space your review sessions to ensure you remember before forgetting. This will help you keep it in your long-term memory. SRS is a tried-and-true approach, so flashcard applications that employ it are a great way to learn complex vocabulary in a new language.

2. Active Recall

To learn anything, you must be able to recall it without aid or a hint of your remembering. Therefore, the more you extract information from your brain, the better you will memorize it.

This is where MosaLingua flashcards help. It demands more effort but is much more effective in retaining your existing knowledge.

3. Metacognition

Metacognition is reflecting on one’s own ideas.

On a scale of 1 to 4, MosaLingua asks you to assess your memorization before revealing the answer. They have shown that evaluating your learning strengthens your memory.

4. The Pareto Principle

According to the Pareto principle, or 80/20 theory, 80 percent of your results result from 20 percent of your activities. In other words, 80% of our efforts yield only 20% of the results.

This states that you will progress rapidly. But, of course, if you focus on the most commonly used phrases.

So, you can speak 80% of the language by knowing just 5% to 10% of the words and phrases. This is the principal focus of the MosaLingua platform to maximize return with less work.

5. Learner Motivation and Psychology

Language learning is an incredible experience. Yet it requires massive effort and countless changes in how you think and your brain works.

Most people give up learning a new language. This is mainly because of a lack of motivation.

MosaLingua tries to overcome your lack of inspiration and change work into an amusing habit. You can also customize your learning technique with in-person help via email.

6. Flashcards as a unique point.

While there are other apps with flashcards, this one performs the heavy lifting for you when choosing which flashcards to study. You may pick from thousands of them in the built-in directory.

To find what applies to you, go to the ‘Explore’ page and search for them. 

You may search for a specific card by topic, level, or by putting in a keyword. Further, the MosaLearning  language method is employed each time you memorize a set of flashcards.

The app will alert you when it is time to quit to minimize your memory from overloading information or vocabulary.

Primary features

In learning with MosaLingua, it never uses individual words. Instead, there are complete phrases for that. Each flashcard includes a recording of the word or phrase being said by a native speaker.

You may also make your cards, similar to how you do with other flashcard programs. Yet, MosaLingua will pick you the right one if you don’t develop or search for them.You examine 5 cards at a time by default, but you may click more to expand this to 10 cards, giving you complete control over the level.

You may record yourself on the card and compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker within the app. You may re-record as many times as you want until it’s perfect.

It uniquely presents each card to you. For example, as a card with a sentence in English or your chosen language, you compose the phrase or a jumbled-up statement where you choose the words.

You may also self-assess your performance by selecting how simple or challenging it was.

In terms of material, you eventually access more resources such as Proverbs, Fun Sentences, and Things of Interest. These gradually provide more common terminology you would not learn in a typical course.

It also included a series of dialogues in the app.

Topic and level organize, enabling you to pick whatever ones you wish to learn. Besides, you may add the transcription and translation by clicking a button if you like.

The “Hands-Free” mode is an intriguing new function that was just added to the app. This feature allows you to listen to any or all of your studying cards.

Both the target language and English are used to play cards. Great for traveling, running, or working out at the gym. All you have to do is put it to play; these will run non-stop until you stop them.

Advantages of MosaLingua

• MosaLingua offers a comprehensive approach to learning all aspects of a language, including vocabulary, speaking, listening, grammar, reading, and writing.
• You may set your own pace using an app based on your schedule and learning habits. You are entirely in charge of when and how much you study. Most apps offer brief sessions that are simple to fit into your schedule. It’s a terrific way to immerse yourself in situations and dialogue while incorporating speaking exercises, which are significantly more successful than learning to speak on your own.
• As you progress through the language levels, they strongly emphasize memory efficiency. The conversations and flashcards are based on the principle of first listening to everything in the native. And then moving on to visuals and writing activities.
• This education app is a serious language learning software since the MosaLearning process is constant across the courses.
• It offers countless audiobooks, films, and even music. You won’t have to go to other platforms to look for “Spanish music” or “Spanish audiobooks for beginners.” Within its platform, MosaLingua has previously curated material.
• To begin with, MosaLingua’s teachers are pretty active on the blog and social media. This is a unique feature of MosaLingua since you can interact with a teacher who can assist and accompany you throughout your learning process.

Disadvantages of MosaLingua

There are some reasonable incentives connected with the MosaLingua approach. Yet, it has many shortcomings you should contemplate before diving deep into them.

Here are some apparent drawbacks.

• They have a very restricted scope in terms of the languages they offer. With only 8 primary languages and a few tailor-made courses, they fall short compared to other apps.
• The platform might need a little more appeal. It doesn’t have a clear learning framework. The platform isn’t very user-friendly, and UI and UX seem outdated. Also, MosaLingua does not give navigation instructions, which would be helpful for new users.
• Apart from the flashcards and audiobooks, there are no exams to study for. While some people prefer to learn independently, those who want to step it up a notch may benefit from a series of examinations.
• While it’s preferable to follow MosaLingua’s carefully calibrated SRS schedule if your aim is fluency. But you’ll need an alternate tool to get some vocab into your short-term memory for whatever reason.
• The app is only for those who have just started learning a language or are at a beginner or elementary level. If you aim to take B1 of the CEFR-based German Goethe, Russian TORFL, French DELF, Italian CELI, Brazilian Portuguese CELPE-Bras, Spanish SIELE, or level IV of the Mandarin HSK. Well, you will be disappointed. It leaves much to be desired.

How much does MosaLingua cost?

The program determines the cost you select. There are five different bundles to choose from.

The Premium includes both web and mobile. The 1-month cost is $9.49, and the yearly subscription price is $59.90 (which totals $4.99/ month). Before committing to a paid plan, you can try a free trial.

There are four more plans.

The MosaSeries price is $99.00 for 1 language. There are five languages to choose from Spanish, German, Italian, French, and English.

There is also MosaSpeak for English. This includes the MasterClass PLUS package for $147.00 and MasterClass Coaching for $199.00.

The MosaSpeak price is $99.00 for 1 language. There are four languages to pick: Spanish, German, Italian, and French.

The MosaTraining helps you get advice and resources for all languages. The premium cost is $130.00, and Premium and MOSAWEB are $180.00.

You can also purchase a DELUXE+MOSAWEB package for $330.00, which includes an all-inclusive training program. It also has MosaWeb access and assistance from the creators in developing a language study plan.

The premium subscription will be enough for most individuals. And the add-ons are available if you want to go all out. But it is not a must-have and is pretty optional.

Compared to other online language learning programs, MosaLingua has a moderate price tag. And if you wish to jump in, take a free trial to measure whether it suits you.

Is it worth it?

They dubbed their innovative technique the MOSALearning Method, which is scientifically validated. So they can put it into the ranks of quality language learning platforms.

MosaLingua is a fantastic alternative if you want to learn a new language in the right direction. This is especially when you are a first-time learner.

This is thanks to its great content, flashcard instruction, dialogue learning, and pronunciation. It’s a quick and easy approach to building up a solid foundation of vocabulary and phrases.

You can include MosaLingua in your language education, regardless of your proficiency level. It needs such a short amount of time that you may quickly have it in your busy schedule, making no other changes.

If you use MosaLingua effectively, you’ll be able to store important information in your long-term memory. This makes it easy to recall when needed. This remembering is essential for developing fluency in your target language.

If you want to study through diverse flashcards and audio repetition levels, the MosaLingua course is for you. It is mainly for novice learners but can be a practical use for some intermediate learners to some extent. 

MosaLingua is fruitful, while others may believe the app’s flashcard deck is insufficient. Yet, others may argue that the entire flashcard approach is only worthwhile for complete beginners.

Because the MosaLingua app’s framework does not assist you through your language course. It is best suited for learners looking for additional study material.

Aside from the flashcards, you’ll have to determine your own content, and there are just a few tasks supplied as you go.

There are a few weaknesses. For example, old UI, fewer features, formal courses, and a lack of reactivity in navigation. Despite this, it remains popular.