Questions, answered.
Getting started
Do I need another language app?
No. Importing from an app is a faster way to set your level. You can also take the placement quiz or pick a level yourself.
Which languages are supported?
40 languages, from Spanish to Navajo. The full list is in the library.
Is it good for absolute beginners?
If you can read a simple sentence in the language, yes. A1 stories use a core of about 250 words and repeat them on purpose.
Will it replace my language app?
No. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are good at teaching words. ReadBilingual is where you go to read them.
The stories
What does a reading level mean here?
Levels follow the CEFR scale, A1 to C1, and are set by word frequency. An A1 story stays within the 250 most common words of the language, A2 within 800, B1 within 2,000, B2 within 4,000. Japanese and Chinese also show JLPT and HSK.
How long is a story?
Between 800 and 2,000 words, split into chapters of about five minutes. Long enough to feel like a book, short enough to finish on the bus.
How does tap-to-translate work?
Every word carries the meaning it has in that sentence, so banco shows up as a bench or a bank depending on where it appears.
Can I write my own story?
That's the Author plan, coming after launch. Describe a setting, a character or a genre and get a story at your level. See pricing.
Account and billing
How much does it cost?
€9.99 a month on the Reader plan, with a 7-day free trial. That's the full library across every language. See pricing.
Do I need an account?
No. Your library and progress live on your phone. Subscriptions go through the App Store or Google Play.