Language Resource: Anki 2.0

I have spent years searching for the holy grail of language flashcards.  I have experimented with different paper flashcard systems, tried almost every flashcard software program in existence, and even spent an inordinate amount of time trying to create my own--until I finally admitted I didn't have the time for it.  When I wrote my April post on language learning on the iPad, I still hadn't found a solution I really liked.



When I began studying Turkish I settled on Anki, which most hardcore language learners seemed to prefer.  I had repeatedly tried to use Anki in the past but couldn't get past its clunky interface.  This time I stuck with it, climbed the steep learning curve, and gradually realized Anki's tremendous power.  Although aspects of the program remained frustrating, it became a cornerstone of my Turkish education.



A few days ago I discovered that Anki 2.0 has finally been released.  All I can say is, "Wow!"  After all those years of searching, I have finally found the perfect vocabulary resource.  The software has been rebuilt from scratch, and the new version addresses almost every one of my complaints.  The interface is much cleaner, synchronization and media file storage are improved, and the program has a much better algorithm for learning new words in addition to retaining old ones.  The mobile version makes it easy to add new words, meaning I can now do almost all of my language learning on my iPad.   Anki 2.0 is still an engineer's contraption, and it takes a lot of experimentation to master the more arcane features, but these same features are what make it so customizable and powerful.



If you're a language learner and have never tried Anki, go check it out.  The desktop versions are free.  The iOS version is pricey for an iOS app (currently $24.99), but well worth it if you decide to embrace Anki for your vocabulary management.