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Learn a new language with Babbel mobile

Thinking of learning a new language? Why not check out these starter packs from Babbel on your mobile device.

Travel, work, or personal advancement are some of the primary reasons for wanting to pick up or brush up on a language other than your native one. For these purposes and more, Babbel's free language packs for mobile are a great place to start your efforts.

Babbel is an online language-learning company that offers French, Spanish, Italian, German, Swedish, Brazilian Portuguese, English, Dutch, Polish, Indonesian and Turkish. Impressive, huh? Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Pick a language and download the corresponding language pack for Android or iOS.

This How To will work with the Babbel Spanish pack for Android, but feel free to try French (AndroidiOS), Italian (AndroidiOS) German (AndroidiOS), or any of their other choices. The app will be listed under the name of the language you choose, not Babbel.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 2: Decide if you'd like to register an account with Babbel.

A good reason for creating an account with Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

This is a good idea if you plan to download additional vocabulary and review content. If you're just checking out the app and aren't sure it's the right one for you, click the Later button to move on to the learning area.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 3: Press on the Vocabulary option in the menu.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 4: Choose the type of vocabulary you'd like to start learning, and then choose a subsection.

Making these choices will likely be based on why you're learning the language to begin with. However, there is no right or wrong choice in these areas, so pick whatever sounds good.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

Step 5: Pick your learning or review method and follow along with the app.

You'll probably want to start with Learn and remember if you have no experience with the app. If you think you have a good grasp on the vocabulary, move on to choices 2 or 3.

An example of how vocabulary is displayed in the mobile app. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET

This app is a great option if you've been saying you would love to learn a new language and kept putting it off. By going mobile, you can turn those wasted minutes in your dentist's waiting room into something more productive (though you may want to make sure you bring along some headphones).