September is the beginning of a new school year, and whether your children are heading into their SATs, GCSEs or A-Levels, they might need some extra support. For those of us who haven’t picked up a Shakespeare play in years, can’t remember the difference between ‘le’, ‘la’ and ‘les’, or despair at the thought of being asked to find the value of ‘x’, helping with homework and revision can feel extremely challenging.
However, there are a few great apps available to improve your Maths, English and language skills. If you’re wanting to help your kids study this year, here are 3 educational apps that will get you started.
For language learning, you’re probably familiar with Duolingo; however, Babbel should not be overlooked. They have lessons for 13 languages, including French, German and Spanish, and it focuses on practical lessons with phrases that you’re likely to use in conversation, as well as teaching the rules of grammar. For those who will be taking language exams, understanding grammar is incredibly useful.
If you don’t fancy paying the subscription service, or you want your language lessons a little more gamified, Duolingo is probably the better choice. However, Babbel really focuses on practical lessons that help you build your knowledge and skills in a structured way.
PhotoMath, Free (with additional subscription options)
If your kids are struggling with equations, or helping with algebra homework leaves you feeling overwhelmed, PhotoMath is here to help. Simply snap a photo of the equation that you’re stuck on, and PhotoMath will give you the solution. You can take a photo of a printed equation, a handwritten equation or use their smart calculator to input your algebra.
The app also provides a step by step explanation, breaking down how you get to the solution at every stage. For a monthly or annual subscription fee, you also get PhotoMath’s ‘How’ and ‘Why’ tips, which explain how you do a certain step and why you’re doing that step in detail. This is perfect for those who want to help their children understand the problem in front of them, rather than just get the solution.
My English Literature GCSE, Free (with in-app purchases)
This app is designed for students taking their English Literature GCSE. They have a number of texts including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, An Inspector Calls and Frankenstein, as well as modules for poetry for both Pearson and AQA boards. You can take quizzes on poetic terms, literary terms, specific quizzes on the texts and Shakespeare’s language. This is perfect for those who struggle to get their head around Early Modern English.
The app also includes summaries of each chapter of your texts, so that students can quickly review what happens in each part of the novel or play they are revising. One of the great things about this app is that it prompts you to learn certain quotes from the texts, so that you use them in exams; something which is absolutely essential for those who are hoping for a high grade.
