Learning with Texts

Overview

Learning with Texts (LWT) is a web app for language learners who want to study material they choose, rather than work through a supplied course. It suits readers comfortable running a local server; its appeal is a flexible loop from reading to saved vocabulary and practice, without a subscription.

Texts are broken into sentences and words, and saved terms with their learning status can appear in later texts. The setup is less immediate than opening a hosted reading app: LWT requires a modern browser plus a local web and database server running PHP. The maker suggests XAMPP, MAMP, and LAMP, and provides installation instructions for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The macOS instructions and app have not been tested by the maker. LWT is a one-person hobby project, offered as-is without warranty.

Key features

Bring texts and build vocabulary

Readers can upload their own texts and save individual words or expressions of two to nine words with a translation, optional romanization, and an example sentence. Seeing those terms and their statuses again in later texts makes vocabulary review part of reading, rather than a separate list-making task. The trade-off is that learners supply the material themselves; LWT is not a ready-made library of lessons.

Texts can be accompanied by audio through an associated MP3 URL, so learners can listen while reading. There is no audio-file upload or import function. The supported content formats include text, audio, and annotated or interlinear text. A significant content constraint is that characters above Unicode U+FFFF are unsupported, including emojis and some historic scripts and symbols.

Practice, dictionaries, and exports

Practice includes term tests, context-based tests, and Massive-Context Cloze Deletion tests, with a statistics page for tracking activity. These options give learners several ways to revisit saved vocabulary, though the workflow depends on first collecting terms from their own reading.

Users can configure web dictionary links, and the documentation describes a Glosbe API integration for transferring translations into LWT. Terms can be imported from CSV or TSV, exported as TSV, or sent to Anki for cloze tests. These links to external tools and formats are useful for learners who already organize vocabulary elsewhere.

Pricing

LWT is free: the Learning with Texts plan costs nothing. There is no free trial because the software is offered on a free plan. The plan includes the app’s reading, vocabulary, practice, and export workflow; no paid tier or seat-based plan is part of this offer. The meaningful costs are practical rather than monetary: users must provide a local PHP web and database server, and texts or terms containing characters above U+FFFF are unsupported.

Platforms

LWT runs in a modern browser and is listed for web, self-hosted use, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Desktop installation instructions are provided for all three operating systems, but the maker cautions that the macOS setup and app could not be tested by them. Offline access is supported, while the local-server requirement still makes setup a consideration before choosing it over a hosted service.

Who it's for

LWT is best suited to self-directed language learners who already have texts they want to read and are willing to manage a local server. It is a poor fit for someone seeking a hosted, ready-to-go course, supplied reading material, or audio-file upload. Learners working with emoji or some historic scripts should also look elsewhere because of the Unicode limit.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Learners choose their own texts and can carry saved vocabulary and learning statuses into later reading, which supports study around material they care about.
• Pro: Term tests, context-based practice, cloze tests, statistics, and Anki export offer several routes for reviewing collected terms.
• Pro: The free plan avoids a subscription charge for learners willing to handle the local installation.
• Con: A local web and database server with PHP is required, making setup a hurdle for readers who expect a hosted app.
• Con: Audio can be associated by MP3 URL, but audio files cannot be imported or uploaded.
• Con: Characters above U+FFFF are unsupported, ruling out some scripts and symbols in texts or vocabulary.
• Con: The maker provides the software without warranty and describes it as a one-person hobby project, a consideration for users who need formal support assurances.

Alternatives

Choose LingQ if you want an Android, iOS, browser, or extension option rather than LWT’s local-server setup. Its free membership has stated caps of 20 saved words and phrases, five imported lessons, and one audio playlist; its Premium plan is priced at 215.76 USD.

Readlang is another freemium option for readers who prefer Android, iOS, web, or browser-extension access. Choose E-clair for iOS or Android access with podcast episodes handled more generously than its limited collections and monthly cap on transcribing personal audio.

Beelinguapp is a mobile alternative with unlocked stories and news plus glossary and flashcard vocabulary practice on its free plan. SpeakAccent is a free iOS alternative with one learning language, a native-language podcast player, and limited translations and study.

News in Slow Spanish may suit Spanish learners seeking a specific audio-focused edition: its Audio Only plan costs $6.90 a month, renews automatically monthly, and includes audio and Rooms but no transcripts or lessons. FluentU is an alternative for video-based study; its Plus plan costs $11.99 a month and includes a video dictionary, word lookup, courses, videos, audios, and flashcards.

Lute is another free option listed for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Browse the Language Immersion Apps list for more options.

Verdict

Choose LWT if you want a free, self-directed way to turn texts you bring into saved vocabulary and repeated practice, and you can run a local PHP server. Its strongest reason to choose it is that reading, term tracking, tests, and Anki export fit around your own material. Look elsewhere if you want a hosted setup, supplied lessons, audio uploads, or dependable support assurances.