Languages app busuu has released courses featuring content from The New York Times and The Economist to enable learners to improve their English through real-world news and cultural topics.

A quiz bot for language learners to practice while undertaking household tasks has been developed by Busuu for the Alexa and Google Home interfaces.

Educational publishing powerhouse, McGraw-Hill Education, has expanded its reach into the digital language learning sector by purchasing a minority equity stake in social learning platform, busuu.

The online language learning market is booming as students seek more flexible modes of learning, claims uSpeak, a rising star in the space. However, it says that the trend does not threaten traditional language schools, which are already incorporating e-learning into their offerings.

Competition is hotting up in the online language learning world after German startup Babbel sold a US$10 million stake to help it expand internationally. Founder Markus Witte said he hoped to break into the French, British, Italian, Spanish and Brazilian markets.