Why a free Slovak app works for beginners
Apps make Slovak bite-sized. You can learn anywhere, build a habit fast, and hear native audio from day one. For English speakers at A1–A2, quick wins matter: common phrases, introducing yourself, numbers, and survival vocab delivered in small, daily bursts.
Free tiers are enough to test-drive multiple tools before you commit. Combine one vocabulary app with a sentence or grammar tool and you’ll cover the essentials without spending a cent.
- Short, daily lessons keep motivation high.
- Native audio and slow mode improve pronunciation.
- Spaced repetition helps you remember words longer.
- Progress tracking makes it easy to stay consistent.
What to look for in a beginner Slovak app
As a beginner, prioritize clarity and consistency. You want features that match A1–A2 needs: simple vocab, model sentences, and light grammar hints that don’t overwhelm.
Look for extras that save time: offline mode for commuting, and the ability to export notes or word lists to a PDF for quick weekend review.
- Clear CEFR alignment (A1–A2), or well-labeled “beginner” courses.
- High-quality audio with slow playback and phonetic help.
- Sentence practice and short grammar pop-ups (cases, gender, verb aspect).
- Spaced repetition, progress goals, and streaks.
- Offline downloads and easy exports (CSV or printable PDF).
Best free options: beyond Duolingo
Duolingo doesn’t currently offer a Slovak course. That’s okay—several free apps and online tools fill the gap and work well together for beginners.
Start with a vocab app to build momentum, add a sentence/context tool to see words in action, and keep a deck or PDF list for quick review.
- Drops (Slovak): Visual, beginner-friendly vocab. Free daily sessions; great for starters and travel basics.
- Clozemaster (Slovak): Learn words in context with sentence gaps. Ideal for stepping from words to simple phrases.
- Memrise (community Slovak courses): User-made beginner decks with audio; free plans cover a lot.
- slovake.eu: A free online course made for Slovak learners, with lessons, audio, and printable PDFs.
- Anki + shared Slovak decks: 100% free spaced repetition; customize your own cards and export for PDF printouts.
- Tandem/HelloTalk: Free language exchange to practice introducing yourself and everyday phrases with real people.
A simple A1–A2 study plan (15–20 minutes)
Consistency beats cramming. Use one main app plus one support tool, then lock in a short routine you can actually keep.
Tip: Keep a running PDF of your top 100 words, phrases for introducing yourself, and basic grammar tables. Print it for quick offline refreshers.
- Minutes 1–5: Review with spaced repetition (yesterday’s words).
- Minutes 6–10: Learn 5–8 new words on everyday topics (greetings, food, travel).
- Minutes 11–15: Sentence practice in context; say them out loud.
- Optional +5: Listen to the same sentences on slow audio and shadow.
- Weekly: Export your word list to a PDF and highlight tricky items.
Common beginner mistakes—and easy fixes
Slovak is phonetic, but special letters and cases trip up beginners. Small tweaks early will save you lots of re-learning later.
Keep it simple: master greetings, introducing yourself, and basic word order; then layer in cases gradually.
- Ignoring stress: Slovak stress is almost always on the first syllable—practice with slow audio.
- Skipping special letters (ď, ľ, ŕ, ô): Add a mini pronunciation deck and drill aloud.
- Avoiding cases: Learn just nominative vs. accusative with common prepositions first.
- Collecting too many apps: Pick one primary app and one backup; review with a PDF sheet weekly.
- Not speaking: Read and repeat every sentence you study—record yourself to compare.
Free PDFs and online extras to boost your learning
Printables make revision fast. Build a one-page cheat sheet for greetings, numbers, days, and a simple cases table, then tape it near your desk.
Many beginner-friendly sites let you save or print lessons. When an app can’t export, copy your core words into a Google Doc and save as a PDF.
- slovake.eu: Free lessons with audio and printable PDFs.
- Forvo: Native recordings of Slovak words for pronunciation drills.
- Official dictionaries (e.g., S̆SSJ or corpora portals) for accurate meanings and examples.
- Your own deck exports: Convert CSV to a tidy PDF and review offline.
- Topic PDFs: Introducing yourself, directions, food, and basic case endings.
FAQ
- Is there a free app to learn Slovak for beginners?
- Yes. Try Drops, Clozemaster, Memrise community courses, slovake.eu, and Anki. Duolingo doesn’t have Slovak yet.
- How long to reach A1–A2 with an app?
- With 15–20 minutes daily, expect A1 in 6–10 weeks and A2 in 3–6 months, depending on practice and review.
- Can I get PDF printables for Slovak?
- Yes. slovake.eu offers printable PDFs. You can also export word lists from Anki/Memrise or make your own PDF cheat sheets.
- What should a beginner learn first?
- Greetings, introducing yourself, numbers, days, and essential verbs (to be, to have). Add basic cases and common prepositions next.
- How do I improve Slovak pronunciation online?
- Use slow audio, shadow sentences daily, and check Forvo for native recordings. Remember: stress the first syllable.