Short answer: Speak launched a Mandarin Chinese course for English speakers on June 2, 2026, taught with Simplified Chinese and pinyin and covering beginner to intermediate (B1) at launch. Like the rest of Speak, it is speaking first: you learn real phrases, say them aloud until they feel automatic, then use them in an AI conversation. It suits adults who want to talk, especially people who freeze in conversation, more than learners who want detailed grammar, character writing or exam preparation. In our test Speak scored 77.5 out of 100: testers praised the design but found it less adaptive than the top apps.
Speak in 2026: The Growth in Numbers
Speak, the San Francisco company founded by Connor Zwick and Andrew Hsu, has built its whole product around one idea: you learn a language by speaking it. On December 10, 2024 it announced a US$78 million Series C at a US$1 billion valuation, led by Accel, bringing total funding to US$162 million. That is still the latest valuation we could verify. AI Magazine's profile of Speak (November 9, 2026) repeats the US$1 billion figure from that round rather than reporting a new one.
| Metric | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | US$1 billion | Series C, December 10, 2024 | Speak |
| Total funding raised | US$162 million | December 10, 2024 | Speak |
| Lines spoken by learners | 3.74 billion (up 111% on 2024) | 2025 | Speak Wrapped 2025 |
| Hours of practice | 19.6 million (up 85%) | 2025 | Speak Wrapped 2025 |
| Lessons started | 231 million (up 108%) | 2025 | Speak Wrapped 2025 |
| Personalized lessons created | 80.3 million (up 154%) | 2025 | Speak Wrapped 2025 |
| Annual recurring revenue | Approaching US$50 million, growing over 100% a year | Company figure, October 2026 | AI Magazine |
| Business customers | More than 200 brands use Speak for Business | October 2026 | AI Magazine |
| Downloads and rating | 15M+ downloads, 4.8 rating | Checked November 14, 2026 | speak.com |
Facts checked November 14, 2026.
Two caveats. These are company-reported figures, not independent audits, and they measure activity rather than fluency. Download counts also differ by source: AI Magazine listed more than 10 million downloads as of October 2026, while speak.com showed 15M+ when we checked, so treat both as approximate. The year's other big launch was Live Tutor Lessons on September 10, 2026, powered by OpenAI's GPT-Live-1 and available to English and Spanish learners.
What Speak's Chinese Course Includes
In its launch post (June 2, 2026), Speak says Mandarin had been its most requested language for years, and that the course is built for people who want to speak Chinese rather than just study it. Here is what we could verify:
- Which Chinese: Mandarin, listed on speak.com as Simplified Chinese (Mandarin), with pinyin used to teach sounds and tones. Cantonese is not offered.
- For whom: English speakers. Speak's site lists Chinese alongside Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese and Italian as languages English speakers can learn.
- Levels: beginner through intermediate (B1) at launch, with more promised for that summer. We could not confirm on Speak's site whether higher levels have since been added.
- Platforms: the Speak app on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play); you can also create your account on the web.
- Price: a 7-day free trial, then Premium or Premium Plus. Speak does not publish a fixed price; it says pricing varies by plan, region and promotion and is shown in the app.
Sound first: pinyin and tones
Each unit opens with a pronunciation lesson for that unit's words, followed by simulated conversation lessons in which you use them to complete a task. Speak teaches tones by contrast, using sets such as tāng 汤 (soup), táng 糖 (candy), tǎng 躺 (to lie down) and tàng 烫 (scalding hot). Its stated principle is to communicate so you are understood, not to be perfect.
Culture built into the situations
Beginner units use everyday scenes such as a bubble tea shop, a souvenir stall, a taxi and a restaurant where you scan a QR code to order. Intermediate units move to situations that need more nuance, such as negotiating a lease or explaining a decision. Explanation cards carry cultural notes alongside grammar, and Speak says it flags phrases that only work in casual settings.
How the Speaking First Method Works
"Speaking first" means you produce language out loud from the first lesson, and the app judges your pronunciation and phrasing rather than which button you tapped. Speak calls its version the Speak Method, a three-step loop:
- Learn: phrases and patterns native speakers use in real situations.
- Practice: say the same patterns again in new situations until they become automatic.
- Apply: use them in a back-and-forth conversation with the Speak Tutor, with feedback on what matters.
For Mandarin, that could mean learning how to order a bubble tea, repeating the phrase until the tones sound right, then ordering in a role play where the AI answers back. Grammar is explained on cards around the phrases rather than as the starting point. Premium covers the core lessons and AI conversation; Premium Plus adds Made for You lessons built from your mistakes, custom lessons with the Speak Tutor and unlimited personalized review.
Speaking First vs Grammar Focused Apps
Neither approach is better for everyone; they train different skills. Grammar focused apps such as Babbel, with its explanations and structured review, and Duolingo, with short game-like exercises like translating, matching and filling gaps, build recognition and accuracy. Speak trains production. Both Babbel and Duolingo also include speaking features, so the difference is one of emphasis, not a strict divide.
| Aspect | Speaking first (Speak) | Grammar focused (Babbel, Duolingo style) |
|---|---|---|
| Main activity | Saying phrases aloud, AI role plays | Reading, tapping, typing, short exercises with explanations |
| Grammar | Explained on cards, learned through use | Taught explicitly, step by step |
| Feedback | On pronunciation and phrasing as you speak | Mostly right or wrong answers, plus some speech exercises |
| Main strength | Confidence and fluency under pressure | Accuracy, vocabulary, reading and a steady habit |
| Common weak spot | Less systematic grammar; can feel repetitive | You can finish lessons and still freeze in conversation |
| Mandarin tones | Practised aloud from the first unit | Varies; tap and type exercises can be done without speaking |
| Best for | Learners who understand more than they can say | Learners who want structure and like to know why |
Many adults do best with one of each: a structured app for grammar and characters, a speaking app for output. If you already understand a lot but go silent when it is your turn, our guide on why you understand but cannot speak explains the gap.
What Our Testers Found
In our six-source test of AI speaking apps, which combined a focus group, language-teaching specialists, a user survey, a community form, social posts and app store reviews, Speak finished third.
| App | Score (out of 100) | Best for, according to our test |
|---|---|---|
| Enverson AI | 82 | Practice that adapts to your own mistakes |
| ChatGPT | 79.3 | Experienced learners who can direct their own study |
| Speak | 77.5 | Learners who care about design |
| Duolingo | 76.9 | Beginners and slow learners with lots of time |
Testers saw design as Speak's main strength and found it pleasant to use. The focus group also found that it does not adapt and teaches the same way each time, which can get repetitive the more you practise. Specialists said Speak only partly remembers your mistakes. That matters for Mandarin, where the same tone errors tend to come back. Note that the test covered Speak in general, not the Chinese course specifically. For our full verdict, read the Speak app review.
If practice that adapts to your errors is your priority, Enverson AI had the top score in our test: focus group members said that after a mistake, the next session knows how to handle it. Check its site for the languages it currently supports.
Who Speak's Chinese Course Suits
A good fit
- English speaking beginners who want to order food, take taxis or chat with in-laws or colleagues in Mandarin.
- Learners who studied Chinese before but freeze when they have to speak.
- People who enjoy a polished app and short daily sessions.
A weaker fit
- Learners who want to read and write characters in depth or prepare for HSK exams; AI Magazine reports that Speak says it is not a test preparation product.
- Learners above B1, since the course stopped at intermediate at launch.
- Cantonese or dialect learners. Duolingo's Shanghainese course exists but is taught through Chinese.
- Anyone who wants the app to reshape lessons heavily around their own errors.
Not sure which style suits you? Our Find Your Fit quiz matches you to an app in a few questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Speak launch its Chinese course?
On June 2, 2026, according to Speak's announcement. At launch it taught Mandarin from beginner to intermediate (B1), with more content promised for the following months.
Does Speak teach Mandarin or Cantonese?
Mandarin. Speak lists the course as Simplified Chinese (Mandarin) and uses pinyin to teach pronunciation and tones. Cantonese is not offered.
Who is the Speak Chinese course for?
English speakers who want to hold real conversations in Mandarin, from complete beginners up to about B1. It is less suited to deep character study or exam preparation.
How much does Speak cost?
Speak offers a 7-day free trial, then two paid plans, Premium and Premium Plus. It does not publish one fixed price because pricing varies by plan, region and promotion, so check the app for your market.
Is speaking first better than a grammar focused app?
Neither is better for everyone. Speaking first builds confidence and fluency out loud, while grammar focused apps build accuracy and recognition. Many adult learners get the best results by combining both.
How did Speak score in your test?
Speak scored 77.5 out of 100 in our test, third of the apps we tested. Testers praised its design but found that it does not adapt much and can get repetitive with more practice.
Sources
- Speak: Chinese now available on Speak (June 2, 2026)
- Speak: Raising $78M Series C at a $1B valuation (December 10, 2024)
- Speak: A year in conversation, Speak Wrapped 2025 (December 19, 2025)
- Speak: homepage and FAQ (checked November 14, 2026)
- AI Magazine: Speak, How the US$1bn App Teaches Spoken Fluency with AI (November 9, 2026)