LingoDeer Named a 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award Winner for Best Language Learning App

We have some exciting news to share: LingoDeer has been recognized as a 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award winner in the Best Language Learning App category.

LingoDeer was first selected by Newsweek editors and panelists as one of this year’s nominees. Newsweek readers then voted to determine the winners.

To everyone who voted for LingoDeer—and to everyone who has learned a language with us over the years—thank you. 🦌❤️

A recognition chosen by readers

What makes this recognition especially meaningful to us is that it reflects both editorial selection and the voices of language learners.

“Selected by our editors. Chosen by our readers.”

After LingoDeer was selected as a nominee in the Best Language Learning App category, readers voted to determine the final winners.

For us, this recognition is not just about an award. It is a reminder that the way we approach language learning continues to resonate with learners around the world.

Why we built LingoDeer differently

From the beginning, LingoDeer was designed around a simple belief:

That is why our courses are built around structured progression.

Instead of presenting vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking as disconnected activities, we try to help learners build them together, step by step.

Depending on the language you are studying, that can mean:

• learning a new writing system before being expected to read full sentences;
• understanding the grammar behind a sentence instead of simply guessing the correct answer;
• listening to native-speaker audio and paying attention to how the language actually sounds;
• reviewing previously learned material so that it becomes usable knowledge rather than something seen once and forgotten;
• gradually moving from individual words and sentence patterns toward more meaningful communication.

LingoDeer first became known among learners of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, and over time we have expanded to offer courses in many more languages.

The product has changed a lot along the way, but our basic philosophy has stayed remarkably consistent:

You can learn more about our approach on the About LingoDeer page.

This award belongs to our learners, too

Language learning is a long journey.

It happens in small moments: finishing one more lesson, finally understanding a grammar point that used to feel impossible, recognizing a sentence in a movie, speaking to someone in another language for the first time, or simply returning to study after taking a break.

An app can provide structure, explanations, practice, and encouragement. But learners are the ones who do the hard part.

That is why being recognized through a Readers’ Choice award means so much to our team.

Many of you have been learning with LingoDeer for years. You have sent us feedback, reported things that could be better, asked us difficult language questions, encouraged friends to try the app, and helped shape what LingoDeer has become.

Some of the most useful improvements we have made started with a simple message from a learner saying:

“Could this work better?”

We are grateful for all of it.

What comes next for LingoDeer

Receiving an award is a wonderful moment, but language learning does not stand still—and neither can we.

We are continuing to improve the way learners practice, review, understand, and use their target languages.

That includes improving our existing courses and learning tools, while continuing to explore new ways to make language practice more useful, more focused, and more connected to real communication.

At the same time, one thing will remain important to us:

Clear explanations, thoughtful course design, high-quality language content, and a well-structured learning path will continue to be at the heart of LingoDeer.

Thank you, Deer learners 🦌

Being recognized as a 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Language Learning App is something we are proud of.

But more than anything, we see it as encouragement to keep building.

Thank you for learning with us. Thank you for telling us what we can do better. And thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for LingoDeer.

Wherever you are on your language-learning journey, we hope we can keep helping you take the next step.

The journey is the reward.

— The LingoDeer Team