Lingoda Review (2023): Scam or Legit?

Embarking on a journey to learn a new language can be both exciting and daunting. With numerous online language learning platforms available, it can be challenging to find the one that suits your needs. 

In this comprehensive review, I will share my personal experience with Lingoda, an online language learning school that offers courses in English, French, German, and Spanish. 

Join me as we explore the features, advantages, and limitations of Lingoda, providing you with valuable insights to make an informed decision about your language learning journey.

My Lingoda Experience: A Week-Long Trial

When I first came across Lingoda, I was skeptical about how well the online format would suit language learners. 

However, I decided to give it a try by taking advantage of their week-long trial offer. For $23.99, I gained access to three classes in my chosen language, Spanish. Although the trial offer is no longer available, it provided me with a glimpse into Lingoda’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Learn more: Best Online Learning Platforms​

Group Classes: A Welcoming and Immersive Environment

One aspect of Lingoda that immediately impressed me was the quality of the group classes and the expertise of the teachers. In my trial classes, I had the opportunity to interact with native speakers who conducted the lessons primarily in Spanish. This immersive approach allowed me to practice my language skills and gain confidence in speaking.

I particularly appreciated the teachers’ dedication to maintaining an immersive environment. They used English sparingly, only resorting to it when we truly struggled to understand their explanations in Spanish. This commitment to language immersion resonated with me and my fellow classmates, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

The Impact of Class Size and Student Dynamics

While group classes offer the benefits of interaction and shared learning experiences, the quality of the class can be influenced by the number and proficiency of the students. 

During my Lingoda experience, I encountered varying class sizes, ranging from one-on-one sessions to classes with multiple participants. Smaller classes allowed for more personalized attention and increased speaking practice. 

However, even in larger classes, Lingoda maintained a reasonable student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring that each student received adequate attention.

It is worth noting that starting afresh with a new teacher in each class can present challenges. As teachers may not be aware of your individual strengths, weaknesses, and proficiency level, it may take some time to establish a comfortable learning dynamic. On the other hand, this variety in teaching styles and accents can be beneficial in exposing learners to different linguistic nuances.

Course Content and Materials

Lingoda’s platform offers a structured curriculum with a wide range of lessons designed to cater to learners of all levels. The course materials consist of accompanying PDFs that complement the lessons. While the content of the classes itself was generally of good quality, I found the PDFs to be somewhat lacking. They often appeared similar and relied heavily on the teachers to bring them to life.

The exercises in the PDFs often required editing or filling in the blanks, necessitating the use of external PDF editing software. This dependency on teachers and the lack of interactive materials within the PDFs could be improved upon. However, Lingoda’s platform itself is well-designed, allowing learners to view learning objectives and materials before signing up for a class. This feature ensures that learners can maximize their learning time by avoiding redundant content.

Pricing Options: Affordable Plans for Various Learning Preferences

Lingoda offers a range of pricing options to accommodate different learning preferences and budgets. The plans vary based on whether you prefer group or private classes, the number of lessons per week, and the subscription period. All plans include a 7-day free trial period during which learners can schedule up to three lessons and cancel their subscription if desired.

The group lesson plans start at approximately $56 per month, granting access to one lesson per week. For those seeking a more intensive learning experience, Lingoda offers marathon plans that require a commitment of three, six, or twelve months. These plans include three lessons per week and offer cashback rewards for attending 90% of the lessons.

For highly motivated learners, Lingoda’s Sprint plans provide a challenge. These plans involve taking lessons every second day, while the Super Sprint plan dares learners to take a lesson every day for three months. These intensive plans provide the opportunity to earn 50% or 100% cashback, respectively, upon successful completion.

My Overall Impression: A Worthwhile Language Learning Platform

Throughout my Lingoda experience, I found myself genuinely enjoying the classes and looking forward to the next Spanish lesson. The immersive environment, coupled with the dedication of the teachers, allowed me to improve my language skills and gain confidence in speaking. The speaking practice and individual attention provided in both small and larger classes contributed to a positive learning experience.

While there are areas for improvement, such as the variation in PDF materials and exercises, Lingoda’s overall value proposition remains strong. The affordable pricing, flexibility of scheduling, and access to native-speaking teachers make it an appealing option for language learners. It is worth considering supplementing the PDF materials with additional resources to ensure a comprehensive understanding of grammar and language nuances.

In my opinion, Lingoda’s immersive approach and engaging teachers make it a valuable tool for language learners. While it may not suit everyone’s preferences, the platform offers an effective way to progress in language learning. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate learner, Lingoda’s well-structured classes and emphasis on speaking practice can help you achieve your language goals.

Pros and Cons of Lingoda

Pros:

• Affordable Pricing: Lingoda offers a range of pricing options to suit various budgets, making it an accessible choice for language learners.
• Immersive Learning Environment: Lingoda’s emphasis on immersive teaching methods, with native-speaking teachers primarily using the target language, promotes rapid language acquisition and speaking practice.
• Experienced Native-Speaking Teachers: Lingoda’s teachers are experienced, friendly, and engaging, providing personalized attention and guidance to learners.
• Well-Structured Curriculum: With a comprehensive course curriculum and a wide range of lessons, Lingoda offers a structured learning path from beginner to advanced levels.
• Flexible Scheduling: Lingoda’s 24/7 availability allows learners to schedule classes at their convenience, making it suitable for those with busy schedules.
• Opportunity to Earn Certificates: Lingoda offers the chance to earn certificates, which can be valuable for those needing to prove their language proficiency to employers or educational institutions.
• Small Class Sizes: Lingoda ensures reasonable student-to-teacher ratios, even in group classes, allowing for ample speaking practice and personalized attention.
• Access to Different Accents: Working with teachers from different regions provides exposure to various accents and enhances listening comprehension skills.

Cons:

• Reliance on Teachers for PDF Materials: The PDF materials accompanying the lessons could be more varied and interactive, relying heavily on teachers to bring them to life.
• Limited Continuity with Different Teachers: As each class may have a different teacher, it can take time to establish a comfortable learning dynamic, and new teachers may not be aware of individual strengths, weaknesses, and proficiency levels.
• Potential Variability in Class Dynamics: The quality of the class experience can vary depending on the proficiency level and commitment of fellow students, as well as the number of participants in each class.
• Limited Reference Value of PDFs: While the PDF materials provide supplementary content, they may not serve as comprehensive references outside of the scheduled classes, necessitating additional resources for self-study.
• Lack of Exercise Variation: The exercises within the PDF materials could benefit from more diversity and interactive elements to enhance engagement and reinforce learning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my personal experience with Lingoda was positive and enlightening. The platform offers an affordable and immersive language learning experience, with dedicated native-speaking teachers and a well-structured curriculum. The group classes foster an interactive learning environment, while the flexibility of scheduling allows learners to fit their lessons into their busy lives.

While there is room for improvement in the PDF materials and exercise variety, Lingoda’s overall value proposition is commendable. The opportunity to earn certificates and the option for intensive language learning plans further enhance the platform’s appeal.

If you are seeking an affordable and immersive online language learning experience, Lingoda is certainly worth considering. With its engaging teachers and dedication to speaking practice, Lingoda provides an enjoyable and effective way to improve your language skills.