One of the biggest challenges for newcomers in Luxembourg is that of learning the three official languages of the country—Luxembourgish, French, and German—as well as other languages that are often used, such as English, Portuguese, Arabic, and Persian. Learning one language is hard enough, but learning the full range of languages needed for optimal communication in Luxembourg is especially heavy lifting, particularly for people with family and work responsibilities.

It can often become impossible to attend language classes, which operate on a fixed schedule. Many students therefore seek alternatives that offer speed and convenience. Since the cost of classroom courses or tutoring can also become a heavy financial burden, many seek lower cost alternatives as well.

While there are other internet-based applications for language learning in general, Languages of Luxembourg focuses on what is needed to communicate effectively in Luxembourg. This includes lessons on Luxembourgish, which is spoken by around 400,000 people, most of whom live in or near Luxembourg and which has great importance in the daily life of the country. Because of the linguistic diversity of the country, the format of Languages of Luxembourg allows newcomers to learn multiple languages simultaneously. The programme is available free of charge.

While the tool is optimised for English speakers in Luxembourg who want to learn other languages, anyone wishing to improve their ability to communicate in English, French, German, Portuguese, Farsi, Arabic, or Luxembourgish can benefit from the tool. Since it is free of charge and can be used at whatever time is suitable for the user, it is more accessible for those who want to improve their language skills but cannot find the time or cannot afford the cost for classroom-based language courses.

The language lessons are available online, including via mobile apps which can be downloaded for free from the Apple and Google app stores. For desktop computers, lessons are available on the Languages of Luxembourg website, which also allows students to download the written versions of the lessons via PDF. Students can begin or end the lessons at whatever time is convenient for them. This gives them the flexibility of learning during free moments throughout the day, like during the commute to work or while waiting for an appointment.

The format of the lessons allows for the simultaneous study of up to 5 languages (English, French, German, Luxembourgish, and Portuguese) or 7 languages (adding Farsi and Arabic). Vocabulary and expressions are presented in each language, accompanied by audio recordings of the words/phrases. This learning format encourages multitasking and speeds up learning of multiple languages by clearly showing similarities and differences between the languages. 

Courses are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, each of which are subdivided into numerous chapters. Topics include:

Beginner

The beginner level mainly focuses on practical topics: Greetings, numbers, seasons and weather, presenting oneself, polite conversation and small talk, going to work, asking for information, directions, quantities, asking to buy something, daily routine, future tense, making an appointment, visiting the doctor, phones and computers, past activities.

Intermediate

The intermediate level continues to develop competence in practical and social situations, like talking about a technical problem or socialising at work and outside the office. Additionally, this level introduces more advanced skills, like expressing states of being, possibility, obligation, permission, advice, suggestion, motivation, and appreciation.

Advanced

The advanced level develops linguistic competence in idiomatic expressions, persuasive language, and expressing emotions. It also focuses on more complex social interactions, like participating in a business meeting, interviewing, and bargaining/trading. There are also thematic chapters on gastronomy, culture, sports, travel, and health.

The website and mobile app launched in February 2018. The mobile app has been downloaded over 10,000 times as of 30 June 2018. The apps are being used worldwide, but most users live in Luxembourg.

An informal evaluation showed that the tool is widely used, even in unexpected places like an election observer’s use of the app in Tunisia.

There have been many positive comments from users. The tool has received particular praise for providing an audio recording to show how each word or phrase is spoken. The Luxembourg national language school asked to develop additional applications optimised for each of the individual languages to complement the original product, which is currently optimised for English speakers trying to learn other languages.

The concept was developed by AMCHAM, INTCOMLUX, and Mylanguage. The project was financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, with €43,765.74 from the EU and the same amount from the government of Luxembourg. AMCHAM provided €21,900 in funding, some of which goes toward the maintenance of the app.

The oral recordings of the learning material and the development of the mobile apps were financed by the Charity of the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. A team from Mylanguage, a language learning and translation company, developed the content of the lessons.