Learning with Texts

Overview

Learning with Texts (LWT) is a free web app for studying texts you choose, with vocabulary saved for review and testing. It suits learners willing to set up local server software; the reading-to-review workflow is its strongest reason to choose it.

Rather than supplying lessons, LWT builds study around material learners bring. Its requirement for a local web and database server running PHP makes setup more involved than opening a hosted service, and it excludes Unicode characters above U+FFFF, including emojis and some historic scripts and symbols.

Key features

Read and collect vocabulary

LWT divides uploaded texts into sentences and words. You can save individual words or expressions of two to nine words with a translation, optional romanization, and an example sentence. Saved terms and their learning statuses can reappear in later texts, which gives reading a useful continuity: vocabulary work is tied to the material where you encounter it. The trade-off is that you bring the texts yourself rather than choosing from a supplied lesson library.

Practice, dictionaries, and exports

Practice includes term tests, context-based tests, and Massive-Context Cloze Deletion tests, alongside a statistics page. These options make LWT more than an annotation tool, though its appeal depends on wanting to study your own reading material. Users can configure web dictionary links; the documentation also describes a Glosbe API integration for transferring translations. Terms can be imported as CSV or TSV, exported as TSV, or sent to Anki for cloze tests.

Audio with a constraint

You can associate an MP3 audio URL with a text and listen while reading. LWT does not import or upload audio files, so this works best for learners who already have an accessible audio URL rather than a local recording they want to add. Text, audio, and annotated or interlinear text are supported formats; offline access and interactive practice are also supported.

Pricing

LWT is free, with no free trial because there is no paid plan to trial. The Learning with Texts plan costs nothing. It includes the app without a stated user or usage quota, but it does not remove the practical costs of setting up a local web and database server with PHP. The plan’s compatibility limit also applies: text and vocabulary containing Unicode characters above U+FFFF are unsupported.

Platforms

LWT is a web app for modern browsers and is listed for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. The maker provides installation instructions for all three desktop systems, but notes that the macOS instructions and app could not be tested by them. The software is provided as-is without warranty; its maker describes it as a one-person hobby project and does not maintain or endorse third-party projects using its public-domain code.

Who it's for

Choose LWT if you want to bring your own reading, link vocabulary to its context, and work through structured tests without a subscription. It is a poor fit if you want a hosted, ready-to-use service, need to upload audio files, or regularly study texts containing unsupported Unicode characters. Users should also be comfortable handling a local PHP server and database.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Saved words and expressions can recur with their learning status in later texts, connecting vocabulary review to reading.
• Pro: Term, context-based, and cloze tests offer several ways to practice the material you collect.
• Pro: Free use, CSV/TSV exchange, and Anki cloze export give learners ways to keep vocabulary work portable.
• Con: Local server and database setup with PHP is a substantial prerequisite compared with a hosted reading app.
• Con: Audio is linked by MP3 URL; there is no audio-file upload or import function.
• Con: Characters above U+FFFF are unsupported, affecting emoji and some historic scripts and symbols.

Alternatives

For other options in this category, see Language Immersion Apps.

• Lute is another free, locally installed option with Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and web platforms; pick it if Android support matters.
• LingQ is worth considering if you want Android, iOS, browser-extension, or web access instead of LWT’s local server setup. Its free membership is capped at 20 saved words and phrases, 5 imported lessons, and 1 audio playlist.
• OpenKoto is a free, Apache 2.0-licensed alternative for iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.
• Readlang is another freemium reading option for Android, iOS, browser extensions, and web.
• LinguaCafe is a free, open-source, self-hosted option for Linux, macOS, Windows, and web, supporting one user per server.
• E-clair is a freemium option for Android and iOS, with free-plan limits on collections and monthly transcription of your own audio; podcast episodes are handled more generously.
• jidoujisho is a free, open-source Android option for devices running Android 7.0 or later.
• Lector is a freemium web and self-hosted alternative, with API access and a free plan that sets usage caps.

Verdict

LWT is a strong fit for self-directed learners who want a free, text-centered vocabulary workflow with tests and export options. Its main advantage is the way saved terms carry into later reading; look elsewhere if you need a ready-to-use hosted app, audio uploads, or support for characters above U+FFFF.