Liningo
An app like News in Levels — with speaking practice
Liningo is an app like News in Levels that adds speaking. Every day it publishes two news stories, each written at three levels. You read and listen to the story at your level, write about it, and then talk about the same story with another English learner at your level in a guided 7-minute voice call.
News in Levels does one thing very well: it makes real news readable. Many learners read it for months, understand almost everything — and still freeze when someone speaks to them. Reading and listening build what you understand. Speaking needs its own practice. That gap is what Liningo is for.
News in Levels and Liningo side by side
| News in Levels | Liningo | |
|---|---|---|
| The stories | Short news, each at 3 levels | 2 new stories a day, each at 3 levels |
| How levels work | 1,000 / 2,000 / 3,000 most-used words | Easier / Normal / Challenge; you see your profile level, Premium can switch |
| Listening | American and British audio for each article | An audio recap for each story; hear how every new word sounds |
| Writing | — | A short writing task; AI suggests a smoother version and asks a follow-up |
| Speaking | — | Guided 7-minute call about the story with a learner at your level |
| Price | Free | Free to download; calls use points you earn, or in-app purchases |
From reading to speaking
If you already read leveled news, a Liningo day will feel familiar at first:
- Read. Today's story at your level.
- Listen. Play the story's audio recap and hear how its new words sound.
- Write. Answer in your own words; the AI shows a smoother version and asks you a follow-up question.
- Speak. Talk about the same story with another learner. The call board guides you through a warm-up, a vocab game, the topic and a social bridge — in 7 minutes.
Because you and your partner read the same story, the hardest part of a speaking exercise — finding something to say — is already done. You use the words you just read, out loud, while they're fresh.
Liningo is a young, growing community, so you won't always find a partner the second you open the app. Reading, listening and writing are there any time; add partners you enjoyed as friends so you can call when you're both free.
When News in Levels is enough
- You only want to read and listen. News in Levels is free and focused on exactly that.
- You want to choose between American and British audio. Its listing offers both for every article.
- You're not ready to speak yet. Build your reading first; the speaking step will still be here.
You can use both. For the full routine, read how to learn English with the news, or see how Liningo compares with Speak Pal, HelloTalk, Tandem and Cambly.
Questions people ask
Is there an app like News in Levels with speaking practice?
Yes. Liningo publishes two news stories a day, each written at three levels, and adds a speaking step: after reading, listening and a short writing task, you talk about the same story with another English learner at your level in a guided 7-minute voice call.
What is the difference between Liningo and News in Levels?
Both rewrite news at three levels. News in Levels defines its levels by the 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 most-used English words and offers American and British audio, for reading and listening. Liningo's levels are Easier, Normal and Challenge, and each story leads to a writing task with AI feedback and a guided call with another learner.
Can I keep using News in Levels with Liningo?
Yes. News in Levels is free and great for extra reading and listening. Liningo adds the part it does not cover: saying the words out loud to another person.
Which level should I choose on Liningo?
You set your level in your profile, and Liningo shows every story at that level. If News in Levels level 1 feels comfortable, start with Easier. Premium users can switch level on any story.
Real news. Real English.
You can read it. Now say it.
Free to download on iOS and Android. You must be 18 or older.