Babbel uses speech recognition to help you practise your pronunciation during your lessons. When a lesson includes a speaking exercise, you can use your device’s microphone to say the word or phrase out loud and receive instant feedback.
Speech recognition is available in the Babbel app and on the Babbel web version when using Chrome. If you use another browser, speech recognition is only available when learning English, Italian, German, Spanish, French or Portuguese.
How does speech recognition work?
Speech recognition is activated during lessons whenever you come across an exercise that requires spoken input.
If a lesson includes a speaking exercise, you will first hear the word or phrase you should repeat. You can then click the orange microphone icon to record your answer. The system analyses your pronunciation and provides feedback based on how closely it matches the target language.
In some speaking exercises, you can slow down the audio to listen more carefully before recording your response. Look out for the snail icon next to the audio player and tap it to hear the audio at a slower speed.
Tips for better speech recognition results
To help speech recognition work as accurately as possible, we recommend the following:
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly.
- Use Babbel in a quiet environment. Background noise can interfere with recognition.
- Keep your microphone uncovered and close enough to pick up your voice clearly.
- Repeat the word or phrase exactly as shown in the exercise. Even small changes can affect the result.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable.
- Keep your app, browser, and device up to date. If you are using Babbel on the web, Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
How to turn speech recognition on and off?
Starting a lesson that includes a speaking exercise will trigger a prompt asking for permission to access your microphone. Simply click or tap Allow to grant access. On iPhone and iPad, you may also need to enable Speech Recognition in your device settings.
Without microphone access, speech recognition will not work.
If you prefer not to use speech recognition during a lesson, you can turn it off at any time.
To do this, locate the microphone icon, usually shown in the bottom-left corner of the screen, and toggle it off. If you want to use speech recognition again later, simply turn the icon back on.
Having trouble with speech recognition?
If you're experiencing issues with speech recognition, select the option below that best describes your situation to find out how to fix it.
Babbel cannot access my microphone
If Babbel cannot use your microphone, the most common reason is that microphone access has not been allowed in your browser or device settings.
First, make sure your internet connection is stable and that your device meets the system requirements. Then check that Babbel has permission to use your microphone:
Chrome
Open babbel.com, click the icon to the left of the address bar, then open Site settings and make sure microphone access is set to Allow.
Safari
Open Safari > Settings > Websites > Microphone, then allow microphone access for Babbel.
Android
Tap and hold the Babbel app icon, select App info, then open Permissions and make sure microphone access is allowed.
iPhone and iPad
Go to Settings > Babbel and make sure both Microphone and Speech Recognition are enabled.
If you use Screen Time, also check Content & Privacy Restrictions to make sure microphone access and speech recognition are not blocked.
My speech is not being recognised correctly
If Babbel can hear you, but your answer is often marked as incorrect, try the following:
- Speak a little more slowly and clearly.
- Move to a quieter place and reduce background noise as much as possible.
- Check that your microphone is not covered and is close enough to your mouth.
- Make sure you are repeating the exact word or phrase shown in the exercise.
- Check that your internet connection is stable.
- Update your app, browser, and device software to the latest version.
- If you are using Babbel on the web, try switching to Chrome.
Please also keep in mind that recognition may be less accurate if there is a lot of background noise, if the microphone quality is limited, or if the pronunciation differs significantly from the target phrase.
The microphone icon appears, but does not respond
If the microphone icon is visible but does not react when you try to use it, try these steps:
- Close the lesson and open it again.
- Restart the Babbel app or your browser.
- Restart your device.
- Check whether another app or browser tab is currently using the microphone.
- Update your browser, Babbel app, and device software.
- Temporarily disable ad blockers, privacy tools, or VPN services that may interfere with microphone access.
- If you are using the app, reinstall it.
If the issue continues after trying these steps, a local browser or device setting may be preventing the microphone from working properly.
Speech recognition is missing
If you do not see the microphone icon at all, this does not always mean something is wrong.
Speech recognition is not available in every lesson or exercise type, so some lessons simply do not include speaking exercises.
You should also make sure that you are using a supported setup:
- the latest version of the Babbel app, or
- the Babbel website in Chrome
If you are using another browser, remember that speech recognition may only be available for certain learning languages.
Still need help?
If the issue continues after trying the steps above, please contact our support team and include:
- a short description of the issue
- the device and browser you are using
- the lesson or exercise where the issue happens
- the troubleshooting steps you have already tried
- a screenshot or video, if possible