Praktika – AI Language Tutor

I’m enjoying using Praktika. I like that there are structured lessons making me feel like I’m in a classroom but getting all the 1:1 speaking practice I need. However, I’m frustrated by discrepancies in the advertising vs what actually appears in the app. For example, the Progress screen doesn’t tell me how much time I’ve spent learning today. The description in the App Store says one of the tutors is “Valentina,” a Mexican Spanish tutor. But she doesn’t appear as a choice in the app. Also, the quality of the tutors’ voices vary greatly. I understand that the free tutors sound computerized, but even the paid ones have huge differences in quality—Camila has a very clear voice, but Lucia’s voice sounds scratchy and like she’s talking too close to the microphone. There are also several tutors available in Spanish that I refuse to use because they pronounce R’s noticeably hard—it comes across as learning Spanish from a tutor whose native language is not Spanish. I wish there was a way to hide the transcription without going full-on video call mode. Also, Lucia’s graphics are distractingly fake. No matter which tutor I’ve tried, their lips do not sync well with the speech. Unfortunately, the avatar tutors come across as gimmicky, as much as I love the concept and want to love the app. The discrepancies in the app vs advertising are enough to make me question if there was an app update I missed, but I refreshed the App Store and it says I’m all up to date. I can only wonder if the app looks really different based on what language you’re learning, and if maybe they’ve put their efforts toward the English course but not as much toward Spanish?

I subscribed to this app as a premium user just over one week ago. I paid for a full year. I received an email promptly with the subject line “Your Subscription Is Ready - Activate Now” at the email address that I used to subscribe. I clicked on the link and attempted to log in. I received the message that there is no account associated with that email address. I attempted to contact help by responding to the confirmation email as it instructed. I received an automated message indicating that a ticket had been opened. But I hear nothing more. I reached out again several times. I reached out again via email and through the app itself twice. No response. I sent a message through the app’s website contact page. I received another automated response. Then, I did get a message from Mira. It was suggested that I do four things: 1. Log in using the same email that I used to buy it. (I did this; it didn’t work. 2., Check if Apple created a Hidden Email. First off, I didn’t use my Apple ID, but I still checked. Nope, this was not an issue. 3., Confirm the purchase through Stripe’s billing portal. I did so (using the SAME EMAIL ADDRESS). Charge confirmed. 4., In the app, go to Profile > Manage Subscription > Restore Past Purchase. This didn’t work because there is no account associated with my email. I IMMEDIATELY responded to Mira after checking these four things with my results. No response. I have since sent additional requests for support through the website, app, and email. NO RESPONSE.

I don’t want to leave a negative review, but please respond to my attempts to contact you. I think your app has potential, I don’t want to give it a bad review. But it has flaws at this point and you have charged me for something that you are not offering. I could not use the majority of my trial due to technological issues of my personalized plans not loading, the assessment determining my level of Korean did not assess at all, and your lessons - which I could only try for a limited time due to the tech issues - are not well-designed lessons. Your development team originally talked to me but stopped when I asked for a refund. They said you are using “comprehensible input”as one approach, but it’s actually not providing any (unprompted) input. Three of my lessons where mostly instructions and no actual tasks to help me work on my Korean. You should work more closely with a curriculum designer to help you make this app stronger. As of right now it is not providing what you claim you are offering. I have reached out through different channels but not heard back from you. (I will delete this review once you have reached out to me).

I really like this App. But it doesn't have roles for seniors. I still deciding whether to purchase the subscription or not. I wish they would include maybe Biblical discussions with the AI Tutor. Nothing deep - such as a little reading from the Book of Psalms to discuss, or stories in The Bible, for those of us who are retired. Of course, I have downloaded Spanish Bibles, but to be able to discuss it a little with an AI Tutor. Also, most seniors get their SS Retirement in the middle of the month. We are on a fixed income and generally cannot make purchases until then. I really like it and may get it in the middle of next month. Njs

I don’t normally write reviews for apps, especially when they’re good, (because developers get cocky and then implement more paywalls, I hope that’s not the case here.) But this app? The free version works just wonders if you’re okay with an AI that gets its languages and accents confused (it’s a fun exercise for my brain to improve my Spanish from a thick french-accented AI, haha). This app is amazing for those who understand that practice and application of the targeted language is a more effective way to learn a language as opposed to memorizing syntax, grammar rules, and irrelevant vocabulary. This app allows me to personalize my experience while navigating a language. As a native English speaker, a Latina, this app will single handedly de-“no sabo” kid me. As someone who could previously not speak French, only read it, now I am speaking. I can’t wait until Portuguese is added. I absolutely can not wait. I anticipate accelerating to a level C1 of Spanish, Portuguese, and French through this app. This app is great news for polyglots and those aspiring to be polyglots.