What apps do the Taiwanese use to learn English?

More people in Taiwan are learning English today than ever before. But they’re not doing it the same way anymore.

Before, students sat in cram schools and memorized word lists. Now, they’re opening apps. Even on the MRT, you’ll see someone reviewing vocabulary or speaking with an AI partner. The shift isn’t just big. It’s permanent.

The demand for English skills keeps rising. Jobs, study, travel, and even dating—English opens doors. That’s why more than 75% of Taiwanese learners now use apps to practice at least once a week.

Mobile apps have become the new classroom.

Apps are convenient. That’s their biggest strength. You don’t need to wait for class. You just tap and start learning. And this works. Especially for vocabulary, listening, and pronunciation.

The market is full of options. But people don’t just pick randomly. Taiwanese users prefer apps that fit their goals. If you’re just starting out, you might try something fun like Duolingo. But if you’re aiming for a test like IELTS or TOEIC, you’re probably going to need more than just gamified learning.

In 2023, over 60% of English learners in Taiwan used at least one language app regularly. But most didn’t stick with just one. They mixed apps based on their weaknesses. Vocabulary on one app. Grammar on another. Speaking with a tutor elsewhere.

Duolingo is simple, but it has clear limits.

You’ve probably heard of it. Duolingo is one of the most downloaded language apps in Taiwan. People like it because it’s fun. Lessons are short. The app rewards you with badges. It feels like a game.

But that’s also its biggest problem. It doesn’t go deep enough. If you want to learn sentence structure or complex grammar, Duolingo won’t take you far. It’s good for daily practice, sure. But if you’re preparing for an exam or a job interview, you’ll outgrow it fast.

Most users say the same thing after a few months. Duolingo helped build consistency. But they eventually needed something more serious.

HelloTalk builds your confidence but not your foundation

HelloTalk works differently. It connects you with real people. Mostly native speakers. You can chat, send voice messages, and even video call if you want.

It’s great for improving confidence. You get to use real English in real conversations. Many Taiwanese learners use it to break through the fear of speaking. It helps a lot with pronunciation and fluency.

But here’s the catch. It doesn’t teach you structure. If your grammar is weak, it stays weak. You won’t learn exam strategies or formal writing. And you can’t expect the person on the other end to correct all your mistakes.

That’s why most serious learners use HelloTalk as a supplement. Not a main learning tool.

AmazingTalker is where real improvement begins.

This is where learners start taking things seriously. AmazingTalker is different from the casual apps. It connects students with qualified tutors. You choose the tutor, the time, and even the price. Lessons are 1-on-1 and personalized.

For learners in Taiwan who are aiming for test results, AmazingTalker is one of the top choices. Especially for IELTS and TOEIC. If you’re aiming for a higher band score, learning with a trained tutor makes a huge difference.

Students who attend 雅思補習班 through platforms like AmazingTalker can focus on writing tasks, speaking practice, and listening techniques. They get real feedback. Real strategy. Real improvement.

This is the kind of support you won’t get from AI or random chats. And it shows in results.

Young adults are preparing for IELTS and TOEIC more seriously than ever

In Taiwan, college students and fresh graduates are under more pressure than ever to score well in English proficiency exams. Especially TOEIC and IELTS. These scores are often required for job applications, graduate school, and even internships.

That’s why many of them go for structured learning. They still use apps for daily practice. But for serious prep, they look for courses and tutors.

Enrolling in platforms like AmazingTalker gives them focused guidance. They don’t waste time studying the wrong material. Instead, they work directly on the listening and reading sections, polish their writing, and get speaking feedback from experienced instructors.

This hybrid approach—apps + tutors—is now the most common path for high-achieving learners in Taiwan.

Kids are using different tools than adults now

The younger generation is also picking up English fast, but they use different tools. Apps like Lingokids or Fun English are made for kids. They’re full of cartoons, games, and stories.

Parents often pair these with tutors on platforms like AmazingTalker. Especially if the child shows interest or needs extra help. The combination of interactive content and personal attention works better than one-size-fits-all classes.

This method has quietly become popular in many middle-class families. It’s flexible. And it matches the way kids like to learn—visually and playfully.

Most learners combine 2 or 3 apps

Nobody sticks to just one tool anymore. People use Duolingo to warm up. Use HelloTalk to chat. Then switch to AmazingTalker for real practice. Each app plays a different role.

According to a 2023 survey by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, more than 70% of English learners aged 18–35 reported using 2 or more learning apps. That’s not a trend. That’s the new normal.

This approach works because no app is perfect on its own. Some focus too much on games. Others are too passive. Mixing apps helps balance things out.

But there’s a limit to what apps can do. And most learners realize this once they reach the intermediate level.

You can’t just rely on apps if you’re aiming for higher scores

Apps can help you build consistency. They’re great for repetition. But they won’t give you structure. They won’t correct every mistake. And they won’t prepare you for the speaking test under pressure.

If you’re aiming for IELTS 7.0+ or TOEIC 800+, apps alone won’t cut it. You’ll need personalized guidance. Strategy. Feedback. That’s why so many students eventually sign up for 多益補習班 when exams get closer.

Platforms like AmazingTalker give you that support while still letting you choose your own schedule. And that’s something no app can fully replace.

Real success stories usually follow the same path

Look closely at people who actually improve their English in Taiwan. Their journeys might look different, but the process is surprisingly similar.

They start with apps like Duolingo or Memrise. It helps them get into the habit. They pick up some vocabulary and build a rhythm. But soon, they hit a wall. That’s where things shift. They realize they need help with grammar. Or they freeze during real conversations.

That’s when they either join a class or look for a tutor. Most switch to personalized learning. With a tutor guiding their weak points, progress becomes faster. Especially for exams like TOEIC and IELTS, where the format matters as much as the content.

One university student improved her IELTS speaking score from 5.5 to 7.0 in just 2 months. What changed? She stopped relying on apps and started practicing 1-on-1 with a teacher on AmazingTalker three times a week. That focus gave her confidence and clarity.

Self-paced learning sounds easy but isn’t always effective

Many learners think they can just do it alone. Download apps. Study when they feel like it. But in reality, self-paced learning requires discipline. And most people give up before they reach fluency.

Only 13% of Duolingo users in Taiwan stay active after 3 months, according to 2022 user data. That doesn’t mean the app is bad. It means people struggle to stay motivated without feedback or direction.

That’s where live tutors make a difference. When someone is expecting you in class, you show up. When someone is correcting your answers, you try harder. That push is subtle, but it works.

Even the best apps can’t give you accountability. But a tutor will.

Grammar is still the biggest struggle for Taiwanese learners

It’s easy to memorize words. But it’s much harder to build correct sentences. This has always been the biggest gap for Taiwanese English learners. Apps don’t fix that problem well.

Grammar correction needs explanation. Not just a red X. You need someone to explain why it’s wrong and how to fix it. That’s what human teachers do.

Many learners say this is where they improve most once they start lessons. One user review from AmazingTalker mentioned that he had been studying for 2 years with apps but still couldn’t write emails for work. After 6 lessons, he finally understood how to use conditionals and passive voice.

That’s not something an app can give you easily. Not yet.

Speaking is the skill people avoid the most.

Reading and listening are passive. You can practice those without stress. But speaking? That’s where most Taiwanese learners get stuck. They worry about pronunciation. Grammar. Even tone.

Apps with voice recognition help, but only a little. They don’t give full feedback. And they won’t help you improve your intonation or pacing. That’s why speech-based learning is where human interaction still dominates.

Platforms like AmazingTalker let students talk to real tutors. Some want to practice interviews. Others want to learn how to sound more natural. That feedback loop—hear, speak, correct—is what makes the difference.

One business professional said he used to avoid speaking in meetings. After 10 private sessions, he started leading calls with overseas clients. That kind of confidence comes from live practice, not flashcards.

There’s no “best” app — only what fits your goals.

A common question people ask is: What’s the best app for learning English? But the truth is, there isn’t one. It depends on your goal.

If you want to keep English in your daily routine, Duolingo works.
If you want to chat casually and build confidence, HelloTalk helps.
If you want to score well in IELTS or TOEIC, you’ll need structure and real feedback. That’s where tutoring platforms come in.

You have to pick based on what you want. Apps aren’t better than teachers. And teachers aren’t better than apps. They just serve different purposes.

Taiwanese learners who understand this make faster progress. They don’t waste time switching apps every week. They build a system that works for them. Usually, that means one app for daily input and one platform like AmazingTalker for focused output.

Conclusion

Flexibility is great. You can study at night. On the train. In a café. You don’t need to join a cram school if your schedule doesn’t allow it.

But here’s the problem. Flexibility often becomes randomness. Learners jump between tools. They don’t finish courses. They repeat the same lessons. That’s how people feel like they’re learning but don’t improve.

The solution isn’t to stop using apps. It’s to build structure around them. Set a goal. Know your weak points. Pick tools that help those areas. And most importantly, include human feedback in your plan.

Apps are here to stay. But without strategy, they just become digital flashcards.