Frequently Asked Questions

Reading passages, grammar exercises, conversation responses, translation feedback, examples, and custom-book requests use large language models. Curated phrase books are prepared content rather than generated on every request. Generated activities use your selected language and proficiency setting where the tool supports it.

Generated activities are created on demand and usually vary from one request to the next, but we cannot guarantee that a topic, sentence, or response will never repeat.

Language Partner uses a combination of speech recognition and AI language models to enable real-time voice conversations. The AI understands your spoken input, responds naturally, and can correct your pronunciation and grammar in real time.

We do not use your content to train our own general-purpose AI models. Text and audio needed to provide AI features is processed by the service providers listed in our Privacy Policy, subject to their applicable data-processing terms.

After you confirm your email address, you may receive a message encouraging you to download the app and start learning. To opt out of marketing emails, click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email we send, or contact us via the in-app contact form (Settings → Contact) and ask to be removed from the mailing list. Transactional emails (email verification, password reset) cannot be opted out of as they are required for account security.

The Reading Lab uses AI to generate fresh articles matched to your CEFR level on topics you choose. While reading, you can tap any word to see its translation and instantly save it to your vocabulary for spaced-repetition review.

Language Partner lets you have real voice conversations with AI in three modes:

• Repeat Mode — Practice pronunciation by repeating phrases
• Conversation Mode — Free-flowing dialogue on any topic
• Office Hours — Ask any language question and get a detailed explanation

AI generates a paragraph in English. You translate it sentence by sentence into your target language. After each sentence, you get instant detailed feedback on grammar, word choice, and natural phrasing. It's one of the most effective active-recall exercises in the app.

Testing Tenses provides language-specific grammar drills tailored to each language's unique challenges — Spanish subjunctive, Japanese politeness levels, German cases, French past tenses, and more. Exercises are generated by AI at your CEFR level.

Spin the wheel and land on one of 8 categories. Answer trivia questions written entirely in your target language. It's a fun, low-pressure way to build reading comprehension and pick up cultural knowledge.

The library includes 9 curated phrase books covering essential topics like travel, dining, business, emergencies, and daily life. Each phrase includes audio pronunciation and can be saved to your vocabulary.

Yes! You can ask the AI to generate a complete phrase book on any topic — medical terminology, wine vocabulary, sports, cooking, tech jargon — instantly created at your CEFR level.

Yes — visit sciencebasedlearning.com/blog for articles on language learning tips, science-backed study strategies, and feature updates. Posts are free to read with no account required.

Professor Mode is available from any screen in the app. Activate it whenever you're confused about a grammar rule, verb conjugation, or usage question. You'll get a clear, detailed explanation tailored to your level — like having a language tutor on speed dial.

Save useful words from supported activities into My Vocabulary. Vocabulary cards can include example sentences, mnemonic memory aids, audio, and spaced review. The current review schedule uses a practical interval ladder: successful reviews return after progressively longer gaps, while missed material comes back sooner.

Downloaded phrase-book content, saved vocabulary, and local progress can be available offline. AI-generated reading, translation, grammar, trivia, custom books, and live conversation require an internet connection. Offline availability can also depend on whether audio or lesson content has already been downloaded to the device.

The Learning Techniques Library (at sciencebasedlearning.com/language-learning-techniques) is a free reference resource written by Bo Bennett, PhD. It covers nine evidence-based study strategies — including spaced repetition, active recall, interleaving, elaborative interrogation, and more — with descriptions, supporting research, practical how-to steps, and difficulty ratings. No account is required to access it.

Visit our free How-To Learning Hub for in-depth step-by-step guides on learning Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, and many other languages. We also have dedicated overview pages for Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean with study strategies and app tips. No account required.

The Resources menu in the navigation links to a set of free reference guides including: language-specific overview pages for all 15 supported languages (Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, and more), a free language learning app overview, an AI Language Tutor guide, a language app comparison guide, a tools overview, and a study techniques library. All are free with no account required.

ScienceBasedLearning is an AI-powered language learning app that combines cognitive science (spaced repetition, active recall) with 7 interactive tools — from voice conversations to grammar drills to AI-generated reading. Available for iPhone and Android with support for 15 languages at CEFR levels A1 through C2.

Open the app, choose one of the 15 supported languages, select the closest CEFR level, and set a daily goal. You can finish setup without buying Pro and change your language, level, or goal later in Preferences.

The app takes you through language, level, daily-goal, preference, and optional Pro choices, then opens the learning tools. No email verification is required. If you separately request a website resource, that email flow does not control app access.

No. The website login is an optional, separate account used for website features and administration. It does not unlock Pro, sync progress, or provide access to mobile learning data. App access and purchases are managed on the device through Apple or Google.

No. The iPhone and Android apps use a locally generated anonymous ID and do not require an SBL email, password, or Google sign-in. An optional website account is separate and does not sync app progress.

We currently support 15 languages: Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.

CEFR is an international proficiency framework from A1 (beginner) to C2 (highly proficient). Choose the closest level during setup. Reading, grammar, translation, and other generated activities use that choice when supported; conversation guidance may use broader beginner, intermediate, or advanced bands. You can change your level in the app.

If you have never studied the language before, start at A1 (complete beginner). If you have some prior exposure, try A2 or B1 — pick the level where content feels slightly challenging but not overwhelming. There is no penalty for switching: you can change your level at any time in Settings, and your vocabulary and progress history are preserved when you switch.

Yes. You can download the iPhone or Android app and begin without creating an SBL account. The free experience includes the Common Words phrase book and limited access to the learning tools. Optional Pro upgrades expand the library and remove free-tier usage limits. Purchases and refunds are handled by the App Store or Google Play.

Go to Settings in the app. You can switch your target language or adjust your CEFR level at any time. All content will immediately recalibrate to your new selection.

The app focuses on one target language at a time. To switch languages, go to Settings in the app. Your vocabulary, progress, and streak for each language are saved independently, so switching does not erase previous work — you can come back to a language where you left off.

Science Based Learning is available for iPhone through the App Store and Android through Google Play. Learning progress is stored on each device and does not currently sync between iPhone and Android or between multiple devices. Store purchases can be restored on devices signed into the same Apple ID or Google account.

Email verification applies only if you choose to create an optional website account or request certain emailed resources. It is not required to download or use the mobile app, and a website account does not sync mobile progress.

The Learning Paths section on our homepage helps you find the right starting point based on your goal. We highlight four common reasons people learn a language — travel (essential phrases and listening), work (custom vocabulary and reading), study (grammar drills and active recall), and conversation building (pronunciation and speaking practice). Each path points to the app tools most useful for that goal, but all seven study tools are available to any learner at any time.

No. Download the iPhone or Android app and begin with its locally generated anonymous ID. The website's optional account and email features are separate from the app and do not sync learning progress.

The interactive study tools are available exclusively in the mobile app. Download it from the App Store or Google Play. The website provides product information, a blog, language-learning guides, and a learning-techniques library.

Yes — a short 90-second overview video is embedded right on the homepage. It shows all 7 study tools (flashcards, AI conversation practice, listening, reading, grammar, pronunciation, and trivia) in action across different languages and CEFR levels. No account required to watch.

The current vocabulary review system uses a practical interval ladder rather than SM-2. Successful reviews return after progressively longer gaps; missed material comes back sooner. This applies the spacing effect without claiming to predict an exact forgetting moment.

You set a daily learning goal (in minutes) when you start. The app tracks your time across all tools and shows your progress. Building a streak motivates consistency — the single most important factor in language learning.

Your dashboard shows daily goal completion, streak count, vocabulary size, and tool usage. You can see how many words you've mastered, how many are in review, and your overall activity trends over time.

Annual subscription plans are available through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) inside the app — check Settings → Upgrade for current options. Annual plans purchased through the App Store are tied to your Apple ID; Google Play plans are tied to your Google account. Billing and receipts are managed by Apple or Google respectively.

The free app lets you begin with the 1000 Common Words book, save a small vocabulary set, and try the other learning tools within the limits shown in the app. This gives you a meaningful way to test the method before choosing Pro.

Pro unlocks the full phrase-book library, a larger vocabulary collection, more frequent custom books, and expanded use of Reading Lab, Language Partner, U Translate, Testing Tenses, and Trivia. Use remains subject to reasonable technical and fair-use safeguards.

Open the app and go to Settings → Upgrade (or tap any "Upgrade" button). Choose monthly, yearly, or lifetime Pro and complete the purchase through the App Store or Google Play. Eligible new annual subscribers can receive a 7-day free trial; your store shows the current local price, renewal terms, and eligibility before confirmation. Billing is handled by Apple or Google, and Pro features unlock when the purchase completes. If Pro does not appear, tap Settings → Restore Purchases.

Current US options are Monthly ($9.99), Yearly ($49.99), and a one-time Lifetime ($129 on iPhone; $129.99 on Android) purchase. Prices can vary by country and store. Purchases are available only inside the app and are handled by Apple or Google, not this website.

Yes, within the same store ecosystem. Use Restore Purchases while signed into the Apple ID or Google account that made the purchase. Apple purchases do not transfer to Google Play or vice versa. Restoring Pro does not restore locally stored learning progress or vocabulary.

Apple and Google manage billing and refunds. For an iPhone purchase, use reportaproblem.apple.com. For Android, open Google Play, review your order history, and use Google's refund or support flow. Include the relevant store receipt or order number if you contact SBL support afterward.

Yes — a Pro Lifetime option is available as a one-time purchase. It gives you long-term Pro access with no recurring subscription. You can also choose monthly ($9.99/mo) or yearly ($49.99/yr) plans. All plans are available inside the app; check Settings → Upgrade for current options and pricing.

If you see a bright "TEST MODE ACTIVE" banner it indicates payment gateways are in sandbox/test mode and is normally visible only to staff-level admin accounts. No real charges can be made while sandbox mode is active. If you are a customer and see this banner unexpectedly, please contact support with a screenshot so we can investigate.

The mobile app does not require an SBL password. If you created an optional website account, use the Forgot Password link on the website login page. The reset link expires after two hours.

The fastest way is the in-app contact form (Settings → Contact), the contact page on our website, or the contact form embedded on the homepage. You can also text or phone +1 978 522 6530 for quick questions (text preferred for short queries). We aim to respond to contact-form submissions within a few hours during business hours — phone/text responses are immediate when staff are available.

Yes — you can text or call us at +1 978 522 6530 for quick questions (text is preferred for short queries). Standard message and data rates from your carrier may apply. To stop receiving texts, reply "STOP"; reply "HELP" for assistance. For account-specific or sensitive requests, please use the in-app contact form or the website contact form so we can securely verify your identity.

Our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service are linked in the site footer on every page, or you can visit them directly at sciencebasedlearning.com/privacy and sciencebasedlearning.com/terms. Both pages explain how we handle your data and the rules governing use of the service. For data requests or questions, contact us via the in-app contact form.

Mobile learning progress is stored locally and can be deleted by uninstalling the app. If you created an optional website account or joined an email program, email support@sciencebasedlearning.com with the subject Data Delete Request. For a live-conversation record request, include the anonymous app ID shown in the app's help or settings screen if available.

Email support@sciencebasedlearning.com with the subject Data Request. Optional website-account and email-program records can be located by email address. Mobile learning progress lives on your device; live-conversation records are associated with an anonymous app ID, so include that ID if it is available in the app.

The fastest way is the in-app contact form (Settings → Contact) or the website contact form. Please include: app version, device model, operating system version, clear reproduction steps, and screenshots or a short screen recording if possible. We'll confirm receipt and aim to respond with next steps as soon as we can; complex investigations may take up to 48 hours.

Our contact form uses a short anti-bot verification (Cloudflare Turnstile). If you see “Security verification failed” please try the following: (1) Make sure JavaScript is enabled and disable ad/track blockers, (2) refresh the page and complete the verification widget before submitting, (3) try a different browser or private/incognito mode, (4) if you still have trouble, text us at +1 978 522 6530 (text preferred) or use the in‑app contact form from the app (Settings → Contact). If you reach out by text, include the email address on your SBL account so we can help faster.

Mobile progress, vocabulary, preferences, and streaks are stored on your device. Text or audio needed for AI activities is sent through our servers to the providers named in our Privacy Policy. The website uses limited marketing measurement; the mobile apps do not contain third-party advertising or analytics SDKs.