Learning with Texts

Overview

Learning with Texts (LWT) is a language-learning tool for studying through reading and listening, with saved vocabulary woven into the text. It is best suited to learners who want to work with their own material and can manage a local server setup. Its focused reading workflow costs nothing, but the technical requirements and character limitation are meaningful trade-offs.

Key features

Import a text and optionally connect an MP3 URL to listen while reading. Save unfamiliar words or expressions with translations, romanization and example sentences, then see their learning status in the text. This ties vocabulary review to the material where learners encountered each term, rather than separating it into an unrelated word list.

Tests can present terms with or without sentence context, and Massive-Context Cloze Deletion offers another way to review them. Configurable web dictionary links support lookups through external dictionaries. Terms can be imported from CSV or TSV and exported to TSV or Anki, which helps learners move vocabulary into or out of LWT.

Annotated texts place selected word-by-word translations above the original and can be used online or offline. A special dictionary link described in the changelog integrates Translate Shell locally on macOS and Linux. LWT also supports personalized review, but its Unicode limitation rules out texts and terms containing characters above U+FFFF.

Pricing

LWT has one Free plan at no cost. It includes the software without a trial or paid tier, so there is no subscription cost to weigh against a feature quota. The practical cost is setup: running LWT requires a modern browser, a local web server with PHP, and a database server such as MySQL. Choose it if you are comfortable maintaining that environment; readers seeking a ready-to-use service should look elsewhere.

Platforms

LWT supports Linux, macOS, Windows, web use and self-hosting. Offline lessons are supported, which suits learners who want study materials available without a connection. Platform availability does not remove the local server, PHP and database requirements.

Who it's for

LWT fits independent language learners who want to build vocabulary from texts they choose, review terms in context and control a locally hosted study workflow. Its import and export options also suit learners who want to keep vocabulary portable. It is a poor fit for anyone unable to set up the required server stack or whose material uses unsupported Unicode characters above U+FFFF.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free access with no paid tier; reading, listening, vocabulary tracking and contextual tests share one workflow.
• Pros: CSV and TSV imports, TSV and Anki exports, and annotated texts provide useful ways to adapt or reuse study material.
• Cons: A local web server, PHP and a database server are required, adding setup and upkeep that hosted alternatives avoid.
• Cons: Texts and terms containing Unicode characters above U+FFFF are unsupported, limiting which materials some learners can use.
• Cons: The software is provided as is, without warranty, and its authors disclaim liability.

Alternatives

Language learning apps is a broader category to browse if LWT's text-centered workflow is not the right fit.

• Duolingo is a better fit for learners who want an app across Android, iOS, macOS and web, rather than LWT's local-server setup; it has a free plan and a one-week free trial.
• Busuu is another freemium option, with Android, iOS and web platforms and free and paid plans.
• Sotto is worth considering if you want free, self-hosted software across desktop and mobile platforms; its stated license is AGPL-3.0.
• LingQ may suit learners seeking an app on Android, iOS, web or as an extension, though its free membership is capped at 20 saved words and phrases, 5 imported lessons and 1 audio playlist.
• mLearn is a free option for desktop and mobile platforms, including Linux and Windows.
• TextLingo 2 is a freemium alternative on web, desktop and mobile; its free plan has stated limits on credits, articles, novels, flashcards, segments and novel size.
• LearnEnglish Grammar is a free Android and iOS app focused on grammar practice, with ads and in-app purchases.
• Talkpal offers a free basic plan on Android, iOS and web, limited to 10 minutes daily.

Verdict

Choose Learning with Texts if you want a free, text-led way to build and test vocabulary from your own reading, and are willing to run the required server stack. Look elsewhere if you need a simpler setup or rely on characters above U+FFFF: those constraints can outweigh LWT's contextual reading and review workflow.