We’re experiencing a renaissance of lifelong learning thanks to tools like Beelinguapp. Skip the traditional lessons and pick up a new language through literature with this approachable app. Choose from 19 languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, and German. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

To start, choose your reference language and the language you’re looking to learn. Select the type of stories and text you’d like to read, including categories like science, mystery, classics, and more. Tap your comprehension level, set your weekly reading goal, and you’re ready to go.

The meat and potatoes of Beelinguapp is the “Library” tab, where you can view your progress toward your weekly goal and choose a story to read. Use the filter at the top of the screen to whittle down your reading options by genre and difficulty. Before you start reading, tap a story to see a brief synopsis, its difficulty level, and a collection of key vocabulary words you’ll come across.

Looking to really expand your vocabulary? Try a Reading Challenge, consisting of multiple mini-stories you’ll read in sequential order. They’re designed to help you deep dive into specific subjects and story types like international food and fables.

If music is more your style, scroll to the bottom of the Library to listen to tunes while reading the lyrics in two languages.

Once you’re in the story, you’ll see two sets of text – one in the language you’re looking to learn and one in your native tongue. Read or listen to the story in audio form as you follow along with the highlighted text. Tap the gear icon at the top of the screen to adjust reading speed and text size.

To hear specific words or phrases, press and hold on the word or words until you see a popup screen instructing you to “Select a word to translate.” Tap and press your word or phrase again to see its direct translation, hear it spoken aloud, and even test your own pronunciation.

Once you feel more comfortable in your new language, tap the center icon (it’ll be a gear or “A” and play symbol) at the top of the screen to view just one language at a time.

Find key vocabulary words from completed stories and ready-to-read flashcards in the “Vocabulary” tab. Easily browse flashcards for words you need to practice as well as ones you’ve memorized by perusing “Collections.”

To add a word to your glossary, open up a story, select the word until the popup window opens, then tap the page icon.

View how far you’ve come in the “Profile” tab. This is where you can see your commitment come to life through achieved levels, badges, the number of stories you’ve read, and your flashcard track record. Your profile is also where you can access downloaded stories for those times when Wi-Fi isn't available.