As we pass the one-year mark since Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, Drops is committed to supporting Ukrainians both at home and abroad through language learning.
In the last year, we have donated almost 200,000 language courses to those impacted by the war. These premium memberships unlock lessons in all of our languages including English, Polish, German, Romanian, and Hungarian.
So far, we have found our Ukrainian learners focus their studies on topics related to health and safety, connecting with others, and language foundations. We've also found that Ukrainians have been using these free language courses not only to overcome language barriers in their new surroundings but also as a distraction from the tragic events at home.
We have extended this program for another year to ensure those displaced have the language support they need in this turbulent time. We're also extending the course over the next month, so Ukrainians can access even more of our language lessons. (If you’re Ukrainian and have yet to access the program, download the Drops app today and claim your free 1-Year Premium Subscription).
In preparation for this extension, we reached out to our Ukrainian learners to hear more about their experience learning a language with Drops. We received hundreds of responses, and here are 8 we would like to share with you:
"Ця програма допомогла мені в вивченні німецької з нуля, ще рік тому я навіть не знала як рахувати до 20, а сьогодні здала свій В1 екзамен!"
"This program helped me study German from scratch. A year ago I didn't even know how to count up to 20, and today I passed my B1 Exam!"
"Перед тим, як знайти Drops перепробувала багато різних програм по вивченню мов. Але, щось було не те... Через тиждень забувала про навчання, видаляля програму, та шукала далі. З Drops займатися було цікаво. Не хотіла пропускати ні одного дня. Зрештою, за допомогою тільки цієї програми збільшила свій словниковий запас, одпрацьовую вимову. Багато поляків, кажуть, що я добре розмовляю польською, і вони не мають зі мною мовного бар'єру. Уся моя родина вчить польську тільки в Drops. Дякую за таку програму. Дякую за безкоштовний рік по вивчанню мови. Bardzo dziękuję."
"Before finding Drops, I tried many different programs, but something was wrong... It was interesting to work with Drops. I didn't want to miss a single day. After all, with the help of this program alone, I increased my vocabulary and pronunciation. Many Poles say that I speak Polish well, and they do not have a language barrier with me. My whole family learns Polish only at Drops. Thank you for such a program. Thank you for a rewarding year of language learning. Thank you very much."
"Через війну я вирішила, що мрії повинні здійснюватись зараз або ніколи. Я почала вивчення японської мови, мріяла про це декілька років. (...) Drops — ідеальна програма для вивчення лексики та фраз з базових і не тільки тем. Різноманітність алгоритмів для запам’ятовування, картинки, озвучення та інтерфейс у цілому це те, що постійно змушує проходити урок за уроком. Дійсно важко відірватись від такого навчання. Drops знає як затягнути у вивчення мови та не відпускати свого користувача. А я тільки за."
"Because of the war, I decided that dreams must come true now or never. I started learning Japanese; I dreamed about it for several years. (...) Drops is an ideal program for learning vocabulary and phrases from basic topics and beyond. A variety of algorithms for memorization, pictures, sound and interface in general is what constantly makes you go through lesson after lesson. It is really hard to break away from such training. Drops knows how to drag its user into learning a language and not let go. And I'm only for it."
"Відколи знайшла роботу в Польщі, використовую додаток, щоб збільшувати словниковий запас. І хоча мені ще далеко до нормального рівня розмовної мови, я добре розумію все, що мені говорять польською. Ставлю собі на меті не пропускати жодного дня, в цьому плані дуже подобаються челенджі, хоч і не завжди вдається їх закінчити. Дякую за цю допомогу у вивченні нової мови."
"Since I found a job in Poland, I have been using the app to increase my vocabulary. And although I am still far from a normal level of spoken language, I understand everything that is said to me in Polish. I make it a goal not to miss a single day, in this regard I really like challenges, although I don't always manage to finish them. Thank you for this help in learning a new language."
"Мені порадили цю програму і коли я почав її використовувати, був приємно здивований простотою, зрозумілістю і різноманітністю тем цієї програми. Займаюся вже 288 днів три уроки на день по п'ять хвилин. Навіть перебуваючи під обстрілами, відкриваю програму та займаюся. І це відволікає мене і дає мені сіли вірити в майбутнє і відволіктися від того, що відбувається за межами мого світу в Drops"
“When I started using [Drops], I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity, clarity and variety of topics of this program. I have been studying for 288 days, three lessons a day for five minutes. Even when I am under fire, I open the program and work. And it distracts me and gives me the strength to believe in the future and to distract myself from what is happening outside my world in Drops.”
"Дропс дуже класно допомагав мені вивчити японські слова та алфавіт. Дуже простий та зручний в використанні! За рік я багато для себе досягла, не зважаючи на всі події в країні. Замість того, щоб панікувати, під час тривоги я вивчала нові слова. Дропс заспокоював. Я дуже вдячна авторам Дропс за те, що підтримують українців і надають можливість безкоштовно і без лімітів вивчати будь-яку мову!"
"Drops was really cool in helping me learn Japanese words and alphabets. Very simple and easy to use! Over the year, I have achieved a lot for myself, despite all the events in the country. Instead of panicking, I learned new words during air alarms. Drops was soothing. I am very grateful to the authors of Drops for supporting Ukrainians and providing the opportunity to learn any language for free and without limits!"
"Коли я влітку змогла вирватись з окупованого Бердянська і приїхала у Німеччину, то цей додаток став для мене чимось більшим ніж вивчення іноземної мови. Додаток допоміг мені потроху привчатися Жити, а не тільки слідкувати за новинами 24*7. Це було як 5-хвилинне поверненя до нормального життя, яке в нас відібрали. Загалом, додаток дуже допомагає у вивченні іноземних слів взагалі незнайомої тобі мови. Величезна подяка всім, хто долучився до його створення та функціонування!"
"When I was able to escape from occupied Berdyansk in the summer and came to Germany, this application became something more than learning a foreign language for me. The application helped me learn to live little by little, and not just follow the news 24/7. It was like a 5-minute a return to the normal life that was taken from us. In general, the application helps a lot in learning foreign words of a language that is completely unfamiliar to you. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to its creation and operation!"
"завжди думала, що ніколи не зможу вивчити англійську, але коли мені розповіли про ваш застосунок, я подумала, що чому б не спробувати, і ось я вже на 195-му дні навчання). я безмежно вдячна за надання преміум акаунту, це дало змогу навчатись годинами, це дало змогу відволікатись, тому що я навчалась годинами коли під час тривог. коли чула вибухи, я продовжувала навчатись сидячи в коридорі. навчалась, навчаюсь, і буду навчатись
"I always thought I'd never be able to learn English, but when I was told about your app, I thought why not give it a try, and here I am on day 195 of learning! I'm so grateful for the premium account, it allows me to study for hours and it distracts me, because I studied for hours during the alarms. When I heard explosions, I continued to study sitting in the corridor. I studied, I study, and I will continue to study."
Drops stands in solidarity with Ukraine in their fight for freedom and peace. Learn more about how you can help Ukrainians and preserve Ukrainian culture here.
Chelsea Roden (she/they) is the Head of Learning Content at Drops where they develop and curate courses in 48+ languages. Previously she worked in educational publishing and taught language and writing courses. They’re currently based in Germany.
"Love my fun language learning and practice with daily Drops sessions, and monthly Challenges to participate in, and quiz mode to test contextual learning - brilliant! So much thought, consideration and inclusivity has gone into the design and function of this app, I can't praise it highly enough."
"Great little learning app! I've learned at least 5-10 new words in Spanish in my first 5 minutes. Easy to pick up and thorough."
"Great language learning app! It helps you get daily words done in a short amount of time. I would highly recommend using drops to learn whatever language you want to learn."
"What an amazing app! I’ve tried several apps for language learning and I cannot recommend Drops enough. I don’t know how a short Drops session can teach me as much as 1 hour+ of focused use of other apps, it’s like magic."
"Amazing language learning tool. Excellent app for increasing vocabulary in your foreign language of choice. Useful for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. The repetition of the words makes them much easier to remember, and without the hassle of making your own flash cards. I have used Drops for two years now and have seen great results."
"Very engaging way of learning Yoruba in a stimulating way. Will be using to learn myself and to teach my child!"
"Less than a week in but using this alone with the popular one babbel working on German. When using just one app I got bored, babbel is not as fun. So using both at once actually let's my adhd do its thing but I still focused since I can switch easily between both apps and work in different areas. Also I like the quick little sessions makes me feel like I actually did something."
"So engaging. I speak Spanish well, but often forget words in conversation that I know I should know. This game is fun and quickly brings back vocabulary I may have put in the back of my brain after not using it for awhile. Case in point: I spent 11 years in construction, then went back to teaching in English and/or Spanish depending on the teacher/student"
"Amazing app"
"I have been desperate to find an app that really helps me learn Japanese and this is the best by far"
"I like that you can switch between different subjects and topics constantly and it’s really easy to learn a lot of vocabulary very quickly! This works perfect for me because I can learn a lot of words but then practice sentence structure with my grandmother whose from Croatia"
"Fantastic app great opportunity to learn languages on your spare time. Drops makes it easy to learn and retain words to formulate sentences."
"Best of the best. Awesome app in every sense"
"This app us the best and how I am doing Learning Ukraine is Helping me alot tnx"
"Definitely recommend! I'm using this to learn mandarin 10/10"
"Fun and interactive. Great for repetition!"
"Very engaging way of learning Yoruba in a stimulating way. Will be using to learn myself and to teach my child!"
"Amazing language learning tool. Excellent app for increasing vocabulary in your foreign language of choice. Useful for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. The repetition of the words makes them much easier to remember, and without the hassle of making your own flash cards. I have used Drops for two years now and have seen great results."
"Great little learning app! I've learned at least 5-10 new words in Spanish in my first 5 minutes. Easy to pick up and thorough."
"I have been desperate to find an app that really helps me learn Japanese and this is the best by far"
"I like that you can switch between different subjects and topics constantly and it’s really easy to learn a lot of vocabulary very quickly! This works perfect for me because I can learn a lot of words but then practice sentence structure with my grandmother whose from Croatia"
"Fantastic app great opportunity to learn languages on your spare time. Drops makes it easy to learn and retain words to formulate sentences."
"What an amazing app! I’ve tried several apps for language learning and I cannot recommend Drops enough. I don’t know how a short Drops session can teach me as much as 1 hour+ of focused use of other apps, it’s like magic."
"Love my fun language learning and practice with daily Drops sessions, and monthly Challenges to participate in, and quiz mode to test contextual learning - brilliant! So much thought, consideration and inclusivity has gone into the design and function of this app, I can't praise it highly enough."
"Definitely recommend! I'm using this to learn mandarin 10/10"
"This app us the best and how I am doing Learning Ukraine is Helping me alot tnx"
