How Kilo Lingo works

Three things, in order. The research behind each of them, and its limits, is on the methodology page.

1. 1

   Learn by frequency

   Every word is ranked by how often it turns up in real speech, and you learn them in that order: chapters of a hundred, ten at a sitting. The words you'll say every day come first. Giraffe can wait.

2. 2

   Learn each word several ways

   A quick drill has you recognise each word, recall it, type it and build it from tiles. Graded stories, grammar guides and games then put it to work, using only words you have already met.

3. 3

   Review at the right moment

   Spaced repetition brings each word back at growing intervals, so every review takes a little effort. Spaced practice and self-testing are the two best-evidenced study techniques there are.

Around the course

The course is the spine. These sit alongside it.

• Word drillFour ways into each word, and it keeps track of what you know.Try the drill
• Learn by emailYour next words, a grammar tip and a ten-second question each morning, matched to where you are in every course you take.How it works
• App and course reviewsBabbel, Pimsleur, italki and the rest: which ones are worth your money.Read the reviews
• Printable worksheetsEvery lesson, story and grammar topic has a worksheet to print, for teachers or for a break from the screen.See them