Recommended Apps for learning English (EFL)
Rainbow Bridges has researched over a hundred apps for learning English, and the following is a list of the ones we’ve found to be the most achievable and engaging. They also require little modification or explanation on the part of the parents. Just download and play!
Information we have included
Level: |
This app is most appropriate for students in the point in the curriculum indicated. Please note the corresponding text and unit numbers (where applicable). NFO = New Finding Out. |
Platform: |
When available we have provided links to two versions of the apps for the major platforms available, Apple and Android. Apple versions are made for iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone, and iPod. Links to these versions take you to the Japan Apple Store. Android versions are made for most non-Apple smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Links to these versions take you to Google Play. |
Price: |
Prices are set by the store and are subject to change. Please note some apps have a lite version with limited functionality for free and options to upgrade to the full version for a charge. |
To get started, choose from a category or simply scroll down to browse the list.
Categories
| Adult Students |
The List of Recommended Apps (EFL)
*Apps marked with a star are the most highly recommended.
Counting, Shapes
|
App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
|
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Shapes Toddler Preschool Explorers, Adventurers (Kids 3-6) Listen and identify shapes |
Apple Lite Free More games ¥120 each |
Android Lite Free More games ¥120 each |
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123 Genius: First Numbers and Counting Games for Kids Adventurers (Kids 4-6), NFO 1, Unit 2-6 Learn English numbers and counting (singular and plural). |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥240 |
Android N/A |
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123 Ninja - The First Numbers Slicing Game for Kids Adventurers (Kids 4-6), NFO 1, Unit 2 and up Listen to numbers 0-99 and tap the correct number on the screen. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
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My First Numbers Counting Game NFO 1, Unit 1-7 Counting in English. Note how plural items are usually identified with an -s at the end of the word. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
Handwriting
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App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
|
 |
Tracing Letters NFO 1, Unit 1-6 A very basic app that shows stroke order and lets children practice writing letters. Note: This is the only handwriting app that does not use letter names. For a handwriting app that also includes reading (phonics), see ABC Pocket Phonics: Letter Sounds and Writing + First Words. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
 |
Ollies Handwriting and Phonics for iPad and iPhone NFO 1, Unit 1-8 A handwriting app that shows stroke order and lets children practice writing letters, both tracing them and free-writing them. Includes a few three-letter words. |
Apple Lite Free iPhone GO>> iPad GO>> Full ¥360 iPhone GO>> iPad GO>> |
|
Phonics (Listening, Reading, Writing)
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App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
|
 |
Things That Go Together NFO 1, Unit 1 and up Listening and matching vocabulary words that go together. |
Apple ¥120 |
Android N/A |
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Little Matchups ABC NFO 1, Unit 1-10 Phonics listening and reading practice with individual letters. Students also hear English vocabulary. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
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Little Reader: Three Letter Words NFO 1, Unit 8 Reading three-letter words. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
 |
Reading Magic NFO 1, Unit 8 Tap letters to hear a word read in phonics, then tap the picture to see the word. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
 |
ABC Pocket Phonics: Letter Sounds and Writing + First Words NFO 1, Unit 8 - NFO 2 Unit 15 and up Good phonics app for learning letter sounds, writing the letters, and blending with advanced phonics. |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥840 |
Android N/A |
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Simplex Spelling: Rhyming With CVC Words (three-letter words) NFO 1, Unit 8 Excellent for helping children learn how to blend phonic sounds together into three-letter words. |
Apple ¥600 |
Android N/A |
 |
Simplex Spelling: Phonics 1 **HIGLY RECOMMENDED** NFO 1, Unit 9 to NFO 2, Unit 15 and up This app is highly recommended. It focuses on listening, reading, and writing. The app says a word, and players try to spell it using their knowledge of phonics. |
Apple ¥600 |
Android N/A |
 |
Phonics Genius Students listen to a word and choose the correct spelling. Practices phonic sounds: listening and reading. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
 |
ABC Phonics Word Family (1) First part of a 3-app series for mastering phonics. Listening, reading, and writing 3-letter and longer words. Put together the words by their sounds. |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥480 |
Android Lite Free Full ¥346 |
 |
ABC Phonics Make a Word (2) Second part of a 3-app series for mastering phonics. Listening, reading, and writing. Put together the words by their sounds. More challenging than ABC Phonics Word Family. |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥480 |
Android Lite Free Full ¥320 |
 |
ABC Phonics Spelling (3) Third part of a 3-app series for mastering phonics. Listening, reading, and writing. Put together the words by their sounds. More challenging than ABC Phonics Make a Word. |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥480 |
Android Lite Free Full ¥355 |
 |
ABC Phonics Combo Pack App bundle - ABC Phonics Word Family (1) + ABC Phonics Make a Word (2) + ABC Phonics Spelling (3) |
Apple ¥960 |
Android N/A |
Maps in English
App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
||
 |
National Geographic World Atlas Beautiful maps of the world in English. |
Apple ¥240 |
Android N/A |
 |
World Map 2015 Free Simple world map in English. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
Vocabulary, Sentences and More
|
App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
|
 |
Fun English **HIGLY RECOMMENDED** Excellent app for at-home learning with 10 lessons, including 70 games. Simple achievable language, appealing artwork, very good voices and music. Study Colors (free), Animals (free), Numbers, The Body, Fruits, Food, Clothes, Vehicles, The House, Sea Animals, School Bag Lesson, and Action Animals. |
Apple Lite Free Full ¥1,600 |
Android Lite Free Full ¥989 |
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Learn English with Epic Language Games 50+ levels of easy English words and sentences. Identify pictures, spell words, arrange words in sentences. |
Apple Lite Free 20 More Levels ¥120 All levels ¥240 |
Android N/A |
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Learn English with Lingo Arcade Identify pictures and study up to 3000 words and many sentence patterns. |
Apple Lite Free 20 More Levels ¥120 All levels ¥600 |
Android N/A |
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Learn English Vocabulary Pop Quiz Learn vocabulary from pictures. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
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Touch and Learn - Emotions Listen to over 30 feelings in English and match with pictures. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
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Action Words Listen to about 180 actions and match with pictures. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
Adult Students (Communicate, Motivate Textbooks)
*Adult beginner students: see also the Vocabulary, Sentences, and More section, as well as the Maps section, for additional apps.
App Name Level Description |
Platform Price |
||
 |
WordEngine **HIGLY RECOMMENDED** Excellent vocabulary building app. Try their free “V-Check” to test the app and check your vocabulary level. For better deals on subscriptions visit the WordEngine website, or get a discount of about 50% off the published price by purchasing an Access Code though Rainbow Bridges. Call the school, speak with a staff member or contact us for details. |
Apple 7-day free trial, subscription ¥480/mo. **Get better deals through Rainbow Bridges - see left |
Android 7-day free trial, subscription ¥480/mo. **Get better deals through Rainbow Bridges - see left |
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City Pic Shows 4 photos of a city. What city is it? Guess the city by spelling it from scrambled letters. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
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What's the Place? Photo of a place is hidden by tiles. Removing each tile costs points. What place is it? ID the place by spelling it from scrambled letters. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
 |
World Flags Quiz Read the country name and tap the flag. No sound, but customizable to record the country names. |
Apple Free |
Android N/A |
If you have any questions, comments, apps to recommend, or if you see any information here that is incorrect, please let us know by contacting us!