Readlang is an extension for Google's Chrome browser. It was developed by Steve Ridout
Watch the video tutorials here
- Sign-up
- Choose a text to read - unknown words will convert into cards
- Read a text - and let you be helped by word, phrase, and sentence tranlation
- Watch a video with a sync'ed transscript (cueing)
- Browse the web
- Review flashcards
- Synchronize Youtube video's with a transscript - and share
Here's my own review after a few months of use. I was a fan from the beginning because it has much more than just cards.
You'll love it because of the features it has around it. You are in control, expandable, intuitive ... just a COOL TOOL.
The main advantage, summarized, is that
- Readlang adds new content at your own pace,
- Readlang makes the cards for you.
- All cards refer to one or more contexts for the words
So this is the big winner - we all know that Duolingo sentences were without context, and too often ambiguous
Input
- any text which you copy-paste into readlang
- import any page of your choice from the internet
- the text or internet page is scanned for new words
- every day fresh material to study
- choose and study those topics which you like the most
Translation help
- click on a word to get the translation
- if such word is already on your card deck, it will not be added twice
- flashcards for those words made automatically for you
-select phrases or sentences to get the full translation
Context
- every word on the flashcards is save with its context
- if a word has more than one use-case, all contexts are saved and shown
Card maintenance
- you can edit cards on both sides, adding hints for the translation
- delete cards which you don't need anymore
- convert "word cards" into "phrase cards", make "building blocks" for sentences
Practicing
- an ageing logic proposes those words which need to be rehearsed
- indicate the words that you are familier with - they won't be asked again
- no unnecessary repating those things that you have fully acquired
- presets for card rehearsal
- card rehearsal can be adjusted ad-hoc - depending on your mood of the day
Reminders
- friendly reminders via email notificztion - no pushing, no obligation
- friendly reminders for streaks
- no leaderboards - no hurrying - no competition - cool and relax
Videoclips and vlogs
- recordings with subtitles, with transscript and cueing
- record your own too
- enter transscripts,
- sync transscript with the video-timeline (very simple)
Sharing cards
- share you cards with the community
- practice on shared card decks
Built-in link to the dictionary of your choice
- default link for Swedish is Folkets Ordbok.
- any other dictionary of your preference can be configured
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PS: Steve Ridout has a profile on LinkedIn, where he writes that he went to work for Duolingo, but that Readlang will continue to exist.