Of the apps we checked, only Bubblegum has lessons written in Southern US English. The others teach American or British English with a standard accent, so the Southern part comes from voices and people: a tutor who grew up in the South, a language partner in Houston, or a coach for the accent. Southern speakers use words like , "you all," and , "about to," and Wikipedia lists states from Virginia to Texas where the accent is heard. For free references and listening, read our Best Ways to Learn Southern US English.
When you set up Bubblegum, choose English, then tap Southern US under More Varieties. For apps that cover any kind of English, see our English app comparison.
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn English. You learn from English you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, your level and what you like, and she writes your Southern US English lessons. If a sentence is hard to follow, ask Poppy to explain it.
With Regenerative Review™, words you save show up again in new lessons, so that you can review words in new contexts without having to use flashcards.
Ask Poppy when someone would say , or what adds to a sentence.
Bubblegum is mostly reading and listening. For speaking, use the people and coaches below.
- Lessons are written in Southern US English, and y'all, in a group, starts at Level 2.
- Lessons are read aloud by voices labeled as Gulf Coast and Inland Southern speakers.
- Regenerative Review™ brings saved words back in new lessons, and you can export them to Anki.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- Two Southern accents are not the whole South, so you won't hear every local accent.
- You can't turn a book or a show into a lesson. However, you can paste a passage into the chat, and Poppy will explain it.
- Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
These apps teach English that isn't tied to the South, which is a good base for the grammar and most of the words.
ELSA Speak
ELSA Speak is for pronunciation. Use it to practice the sounds you share with Southern speakers, and then listen to the Southern voices in your lessons to hear the differences.
- Speaking practice with feedback on how you say each sound.
- Its App Store page lists American, British and Australian accents.
Mobile
Rosetta Stone sells a course called English (American) and a separate English (British) one. Its page says it teaches clear, standard English and helps you understand multiple accents over time, and it doesn't mention a Southern accent. It suits you if you want a set path in standard American English first, with Southern voices and words added from the other sources here.
BoldVoice is an accent-training app. Its App Store page talks about an American accent and doesn't name a Southern one, so it fits the same job as ELSA Speak.
Preply
Preply doesn't sort tutors by state. Message a few and ask where they grew up, then book the one whose speech you want to hear.
- Filter English tutors by country of birth.
- Watch a tutor's intro video before you book.
MobileWeb
italki
On italki you can plan each lesson around one situation, like a call to a clinic or a talk with new neighbors in Atlanta.
- A Teachers from filter on the English teachers page.
- Book one-to-one lessons over video.
MobileWeb
Tandem
Ask your partner what a word you heard means. Everyday talk is where you meet new Southern words first.
- Tandem has a page for English speakers in Houston.
- Trade voice notes, or talk over video.
MobileWeb
Strommen Inc. lists coaches for a Southern accent, in person and online, with a free 30-minute trial. Its page says the classes are aimed at actors and voice-over artists, and its one listed price is "as low as $250" an hour, so it fits a learner who needs the accent for a role or a job.
| App | Free? | What's Free |
|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Free version | Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read. |
| ELSA Speak | Free version | You can start ELSA Speak on a free plan. ELSA Premium opens advanced features like exam practice and targeted courses, and it starts with a free trial. |
| Preply | Paid | You pay for each lesson, and each tutor sets their own price. If your first tutor isn't a good fit, you can try two more for free. |
| italki | Paid | You pay for each lesson, and each teacher sets their own price. Practicing with the community and taking the level test are free. |
| Tandem | Free version | Signing up is free, and Tandem reviews each new member first. Many features are free, and Tandem Pro gives you all of them. |
Try one lesson in your language before you pay.
| App | Languages You Can Use It In | Full List |
|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | 76 | Supported language pairs |
| ELSA Speak | 1 | App Store |
| Rosetta Stone | 16 | App Store |
| Preply | 19 | App Store |
| italki | 19 | App Store |
| Tandem | 14 | App Store |
Which Southern US English app should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning English, start with Bubblegum. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes lessons at your level about things you like. Or start with a tutor on Preply or italki if you want to talk with someone from the South in your first week.
Do I need a Southern accent to be understood in the South?
No. The standard American English you learn in most courses works in the South too. What helps most is knowing words like and getting used to the accent when it is spoken quickly.
Which accent will I hear in each app?
In Bubblegum, voices labeled Gulf Coast and Inland Southern read your lessons. ELSA Speak and Rosetta Stone use the accents named on their pages, which are American, British and Australian for ELSA Speak and American or British for Rosetta Stone. With Preply, italki and Tandem you hear your tutor's or partner's own accent.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read. Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- ELSA Speak on the App Store (Premium and free trial)
- Bubblegum: Southern US English
- Wikipedia: Southern American English (states, y'all, fixin' to, might could, pin-pen merger)
- ELSA Speak on the App Store (American, British and Australian accents; English only)
- Rosetta Stone: Learn English (English (American) and English (British) courses)
- Rosetta Stone on the App Store (languages you can use it in)
- BoldVoice on the App Store (accent training; no Southern accent named)
- Strommen Inc.: Southern accent classes (coaches for actors and voice-over artists)
- Preply: English tutors (country of birth filter)
- italki: English teachers (Teachers from filter)
- Tandem: Learn English in Houston
- Preply: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- italki: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Tandem: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- ELSA Speak: what's free
- italki: what's free
- Tandem: what's free
- Bubblegum
- ELSA Speak
- Tandem
