Unacademy Launches App To Learn Spanish, Plans To Add More Languages

Months after Unacademy announced its foray into the language learning space, the edtech startup’s CEO Gaurav Munjal said that ‘Unacademy: Learn a language (ULL)’ app is now live on Google Play Store and Apple app store.

To begin with, users can learn Spanish on the app. However, the startup plans to add more languages to the app soon, Munjal said in a post on social media platform X. 

He said that the next language to be added on the app will be French. Besides, users would also be able to learn Indian languages like Kannada and Marathi going ahead.

“We’ve distilled the essence of learning Spanish from English into compact, crisp lessons designed for profound understanding. Our interactive templates make learning an adventure, with amazing content ensuring a seamless grasp of language concepts,” the app’s description on Play Store reads. 

Users can learn the language via free templates that gamify the learning process. To begin with, users are required to choose Spanish words that can complete sentences, then match words with their English counterparts. 

Further, the app also drops in some facts about the language amid such tasks so that the users can make better sense of what is being communicated in the language. Post a basic understanding of the language, users can also learn how to communicate in Spanish in everyday situations.  

“While all other Apps focus on too much Gamification, we built an App that actually makes you learn a Language,” Munjal said in his post.

Although the app is free to use, it gives users access to a limited number of free lessons per day. Further, access to all chapters is also restricted. Users will need to get ‘Unacademy PRO’ subscription, costing INR 4,999 for a year and INR 790 for a month, to access more chapters. 

Some users pointed out on Munjal’s post that the cost of the subscription is much higher than direct competitor Duolingo, whose subscriptions are set at INR 1,800 per year. 

“Unless Unacademy has an exponentially better learning mechanism, it’s hard to justify the price difference,” a user said. To this, the CEO said that the company is looking to figure out the right pricing for the app and will change them accordingly. 

Despite the price point, Munjal claimed that the app crossed 10,000 users and 100 paid customers within 14 hours of launch. The app has over 5,000 downloads on Play Store. 

The startup’s language learning adventure adds on to its recent bid to expand its product portfolio. It launched UnacademyX, an app which gamifies UPSC and NEET prep, in May 2023. 

Like many other startups, Unacademy is also looking to shore up its revenue and cut loss. This has resulted in it laying off many employees. Last month, the unicorn’s medical entrance test prep platform PrepLadder laid off around 145 employees. 

Not only this, Inc42 recently reported that the edtech major revised its hiring terms for sales executives even after they received their offer letters. Many candidates were made to take a 7-day training and fired thereafter.

Unacademy saw its consolidated net loss decline almost 40% to INR 1,678.1 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23) from INR 2,847.9 Cr in the previous fiscal. Operating revenue rose 26% to INR 907 Cr in FY23 from INR 719.2 Cr in the previous fiscal year.

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