When comparing Lang-8 vs Lingvist, the Slant community recommends Lingvist for most people. In the question“What are the best sites for learning foreign languages?” Lingvist is ranked 6th while Lang-8 is ranked 7th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Gain experience writing in your target language
Where many programs will have you writing single sentences at most, Lang-8 encourages you to write short stories or diary entries.
Having to actually write in the language rather than simply remember vocabulary is a really beneficial feature for improving real-world use of the language.
Pro Get feedback from native speakers
Native speakers of the language you are learning will give you pointers on your writing, such as grammar corrections and advice on word choice/sentence structure.
Pro Self-directed learning
Write as much or little as you like, about the subject of your choice, at the level of difficulty of your choice, taking as much time as you wish. Intermediate and advanced learners can benefit the most from this, but beginners can still use the site to practice what they've learned elsewhere.
Pro Helps users learn thousands of words in a short amount of time
Pro Beautiful user interface
Pro Personalized study process
With the help of AI, it accelerates the learning process by skipping lessons you do not need.
Pro The website has a helpful blog.
Pro Helps you to write fluently
Lingvist helps to greatly improve your target language vocabulary.
Cons
Con New sign ups are currently put on hold
They are not accepting new registrations now, and it is not clear when will they accept them again.
Con Not a good starting place for beginners
The site doesn't teach you your language, instead it allows you to get advice on your writing in your target language. It's better if you have a basic understanding of the language at first.
Con Frequently gives you a word with different translations, of which it only accepts one.
No real way to discern what you are asked to enter.
Con Sometimes teaches vocabulary out of context
Con Few language pairs available
Currently only offers English and French. The website says there are 6 other languages in the works.
Con Not enough variety in exercises
Words are learned only through fill-in-the-blank style problems. The user is not challenged enough to be able to remember and use the learned words in circumstances different from the fill-in-the-blank sentences.
