Croatia launches free app to learn Croatian language

Croatia has launched LearnCro, a free web and mobile app designed to help people learn the Croatian language. 

The app was presented Thursday in Zagreb as a joint project of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad and the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Philosophy.

“Croatian is not only a means of communication but also a link to the Croatian diaspora and a key part of our cultural identity,” said State Secretary Zvonko Milas. He added that the app is tailored to meet the needs of people of Croatian origin arriving in Croatia.

Milas emphasized that the app is not a substitute for live lessons but serves as a supplemental tool, allowing learners to study at their own pace. It is designed for B1-level learners, and he expressed confidence that it will see wide adoption and continue to evolve to meet the needs of anyone wishing to learn Croatian.

Since its release, LearnCro has been downloaded 1,000 times in just three days. “We believe most users are Croats, but the app is free and available to everyone,” Milas said. He noted that it could also benefit foreign workers, though beginners (A1 level) still need some basic knowledge to communicate effectively in daily life.

The government has previously launched online courses for A1 and A2 levels, which proved highly popular. “The need exists, and it is our task to enable our countrymen who want to return and learn the language to do so,” Milas said. So far, more than 34,000 people have completed the A1 and A2 courses, forming the primary target audience for the new B1-level app, according to Domagoj Tončinić, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy.

The app contains 2,000 audio recordings and around 2,200 images, with activities focused on introducing and testing vocabulary and a special emphasis on Croatian culture. It offers 80 lessons divided into 12 units, explained Jasmin Klinžić, head of the Center for e-Learning Support at the Faculty of Philosophy.

LearnCro currently features interfaces in Croatian, English, and Spanish, with plans to add German and possibly other languages in the future, said Ana Grgić, head of the Croatian language learning program Croaticum.