Skip to content
kotoba 言葉
IslandsLanguagesHelpGet Kotoba ↗
Home/Islands

Islands · A learning mode in Kotoba

A place for everything
you want to say.

Islands is a learning mode in Kotoba, inspired by the language-islands technique. Everyday life, relationships, work, and ideas become places to explore through stories and practice.

Explore the islands ↓

New to the idea? Read what language islands are and how to build one, with a practical example you can use in any language.

Explore freely. Practice with focus.

Stay a little.
Come back with more to say.

Choose a place that matters to you

Open an island and turn between its topics. Plan your day, introduce a friend, or explain a point of view. Every topic is available to explore, with no lesson order to unlock.

Build a collection of stories

Create a story for the topic or return to one you saved. The same place can hold several stories, so you can revisit familiar language in different situations.

Try the language in different ways

Read with word lookup, listen to a situation, write a response, or practice speaking aloud. Speaking practice is self-directed; it does not grade pronunciation or record your voice.

See what you’ve practiced

A four-part ring fills as you practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking at the selected depth. Change depth when you want a different challenge. The ring records activity, rather than certifying fluency.

A Kotoba topic with four practice activities, saved stories, and a New story button
Your stories stay with their topic.

12 islands. Plenty of ways in.

From first hellos to bigger ideas.

First conversations

Meet someone, ask for help, and keep a conversation going.

  • Hello & goodbye
  • Little replies
  • Counting

About me

Your people, your interests, and what matters to you.

  • A little about me
  • My people
  • What I enjoy

Everyday life

The routines, small plans, and familiar things that fill your day.

  • My day
  • Time & plans
  • How much?

Out in the world

Find your way, order something you like, and get things done.

  • Finding my way
  • Prices
  • Food & drinks

My stories

Share a memory, a discovery, or a story worth telling.

  • What happened
  • A memory
  • Books & films

Ideas that matter

Make plans together, share your views, and understand each other.

  • Plans together
  • My point of view
  • Different views

Working together

The conversations that help you find your place and get things done at work.

  • First day
  • An interview
  • At a meeting

Learning & discovering

Ask questions, share discoveries and make unfamiliar ideas understandable.

  • In class
  • Choosing a course
  • Learning together

Health & wellbeing

Communicate your needs, describe how you feel and care for yourself and others.

  • An appointment
  • How I am feeling
  • At the pharmacy

People & relationships

Build friendships, celebrate together and navigate moments that need care.

  • Making friends
  • A date
  • Keeping in touch

Culture & creativity

Explore the things people make, play and celebrate.

  • Music I love
  • Playing together
  • At a gallery

Our changing world

Talk about technology, nature and the choices that shape shared life.

  • Life with technology
  • Online privacy
  • In the news

Make the map your own

Your scenarios belong here, too.

Kotoba Pro lets you create custom scenarios for something specific: a trip, a conversation at work, or a situation you want to rehearse. Your Scenarios has its own island, alongside shortcuts to saved stories and vocabulary practice.

Already have something to read? Bring your own text, or find ideas in our language reading guides.

Take your curiosity with you

Find your first island.

Download Kotoba free for iPhone and iPad. Choose your language, then start with something you want to say.

Download on theApp Store
Scan with your iPhoneOpens Kotoba in the App Store
kotoba 言葉

A little more of the world. A little more yours.

Explore topic islands, find your stories, and bring new words into everyday life.

Download for iPhone and iPad ↗

Explore Kotoba

Islands modeLanguage islands explainedAbout KotobaHow practice worksAll 31 languagesCommon questionsSupport

Popular languages

Learn SpanishLearn FrenchLearn JapaneseLearn GermanLearn ItalianLearn PortugueseLearn DutchLearn EnglishLearn RussianLearn Turkish

Details

PrivacyTermsSitemaphello@kotoba.fyi

© 2026 Kotoba

Follow your curiosity. Find your words.