Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is “Busuu”?

“Busuu” is the world’s largest community for language learning, providing courses in 13 different languages on web and mobile to more than 100 million learners globally. Learners can sign up for free, or subscribe to a premium membership to unlock features like advanced grammar lessons, offline mode, McGraw-Hill Education Certification or our adaptive vocabulary trainer.

For Viva subscribers, the premium membership is available at a special price, allowing payment for the services through user’s mobile account. To get this opportunity the user should subscribe to the service by taking the below mentioned steps at http://busuu.viva.am.

 2. How do I subscribe and get access to “Busuu” Premium access?

 To get subscribed to the  service the user should

1. confirm the activation on http://busuu.viva.am website;
2. send an SMS-request with the text “Start1” (for daily subscription), “Start7” (for weekly subscription), “Start30” (for monthly subscription) to 2878 short number and follow the link received in the response SMS.

3. Is there any trial period?

Upon activation of the ““Busuu”” services for the first time, the Subscribers shall get trial usage period within 1 (one) calendar day from the moment of its connection for the first time.

4. What do I get after activating the ““Busuu”” service?

Activation of the service gives you access to all the functions available for premium users, including the Օoffline mode, and conversation options, which provides feedback from native speakers. In addition, you will be able to study all the languages ​​we offer, create a learning plan, get official certification, and check your vocabulary. 

5. I have successfully subscribed; what’s next?

You will get to the success page during the subscription flow. Please click on the “Go to service button”. Once you have done this you will be redirected to the sign-up page. Your temporary login and pass will be copied and filled automatically. This option is available only for 24 hours.  For security reasons, you will be prompted to change your credentials after the first login.

6. What do I do if I clicked to Subscribe / Yes, but I am still not subscribed?

You need to visit https://busuu.viva.am again and try to access the service. If you are using mobile Internet, you will be identified as a subscriber and will be able to access the service.

If you are using a Wi-Fi network, you need to go through the number verification procedure by entering your GSM number, receive an SMS with a verification code and get a confirmed status.

During subscribing to the service while using Internet via Mi-Fi or 3G/4G router, or being connected to Wi-Fi via Personal Hotspot the fee for subscription may be charged from the account of the phone number or may be ascribed to the account of the phone number, which is used for the given device, and not from or to the account of the phone number, which is installed in the smartphone. Besides, the SMS notifying on successful subscription may also be sent to the mobile number installed in the respective device. The services will be available until the data in the browser is cleared.

7. I subscribed more than 24 hours ago, but didn’t create a new account. Temporary credentials are lost. What should I do?

It’s okay. Nothing is lost. You can always find this data on your account page: https://busuu.viva.am/view/account

For security reasons, you need to change your login and password after the first login. To do so, you should copy or remember a temporary login and password. Click the button “Go to Service”, you will get to the sign-up page. Please enter temporary credentials to create your new account.

8. How do I check my subscription status?

You can find detailed information on your account page listed below: https://busuu.viva.am/view/account.

9. What languages ​​can I learn?

With “Busuu”, you can learn thirteen languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Turkish, Polish and Dutch.

You can choose any of them and study several languages at once.

10. What is a level test?

The proficiency test will help you to know your language level before you start studying at “Busuu”.

For example, you want to learn French, and you think you already know the basics, so you don't want to start from the beginning.

The level test takes about five minutes and will prompt you to start with a specific lesson.

In this case, you have the right to ignore the results of this test (or not pass it at all) and start with an arbitrary lesson.

11. Can I take the level test again?

The level test helps you to understand which level to start at.

Perhaps you already know the language a little and do not want to start from the very first lesson.

When you register, you have the opportunity to take a test.

If you skip this step, you can return to the test and take it later.

12. What are the “Busuu” levels?

“Busuu” partners with McGraw-Hill Education, one of the largest and most respected education companies in the world.

“Busuu” and McGraw-Hill Education have developed an official certification that allows our students to prove their language proficiency.

These tests assess the level of proficiency in key topics corresponding to the following levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) - Beginner A1, Elementary A2, Intermediate B1 and Upper Intermediate B2. Tests are only available for English, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese and French courses.

After successfully passing the test, you will receive an official level completion certificate from McGraw-Hill Education.

13. How can I test my knowledge during training?

The Test section shows all the words you learned on “Busuu”.

When, within the framework of a language course, you come across a didactic card, the word or phrase indicated on it is added to your dictionary.

We test how well you do with the practice exercises for that word or phrase.

Depending on the results, they are divided into groups (weak, medium and strong). We then use an artificial intelligence-based algorithm to determine which words you need to practice.

Over time, knowledge is forgotten, and words, in this sense, are no exception. From time to time, you need to repeat the vocabulary so that it becomes entrenched in long-term memory. Our algorithm predicts which words require practice and become “weaker”, so they are more common.

The forecast is based on the results of your studies and our understanding of how difficult the word is. The more you practice, the longer it stays among the "strong" ones (and ultimately stays there forever when it is fixed in your long-term memory).

If you want to practice certain words or phrases, add them to your favorites. If you do not want to see any word or phrase in your dictionary, you can remove it from the list.

14. How do I fix other people's exercises and submit my own for review?

This is one of the awesome benefits of learning with “Busuu”! Native speakers and users, who are proficient in the language, help each other practice and move forward.

You can submit the exercise for review at the end of the lesson. Alternatively, you can do this in the "Help" section.

You can choose whether it will be sent to the community or to specific friends from the list.

If you submit an exercise for review, it will be corrected by one or more students who are proficient in the language (advanced or their native language).

You will also receive exercises from other users. In addition, you will be able to select the exercises you want to correct in the "Help" section.

If you change your handset and continue having the old SIM card, then you will remain an active subscriber to the service.

15. How to engage with other users and native speakers?

With a community of 100 million people, you can practice your language skills directly with native speakers from around the world.

The speaking and writing exercises in the Conversation section can be sent to native speakers of the target language.

This way you will receive personalized feedback on your exercises and meet people from different parts of the world.

Users whose corrections you like can be added as friends in order to receive feedback from them in the future.

In turn, you can correct exercises done by other users in your own language.

Alternatively, you can make friends on “Busuu” and, if they speak the language you are learning, send them your exercises for testing.

If you send the exercise to friends rather than the community, you are more likely to get a quick response.

You won't be able to search for a specific person on “Busuu”, but we often suggest suitable users, and you can add them in the "Help" tab.

16. How to do it offline?

To do this, you need to download our lessons to your iOS or Android device by clicking on the corresponding icon next to the desired lesson.

It is impossible to download materials of the whole level in one click; they can be downloaded only in separate lessons.

Please also note that we add new content on a regular basis, so the downloaded lessons will be removed when the application is updated.

So, we recommend that you download only what you need in the very near future, so that you always have up-to-date learning materials at hand!

17. Where can I download the app?

Please use the following links to download the application:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.”Busuu”.android.enc

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/”Busuu”-fast-language-learning/id379968583

18. What are the certificates?

In 2015, “Busuu” and McGraw-Hill Education, one of the largest and most respected education companies in the world, agreed to cooperate. We have developed an official certification that allows you to validate your language skills.

Attestation tests assess proficiency in basic topics according to the A1, A2, B1 or B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). After successfully passing the test, you will receive an official certificate of level confirmation from McGraw-Hill Education.

19. I was unable to pass the test and get the certificate?

We are very sorry about this, but don't worry. You can do it with just a little practice.

During the next 14 days, the test is not available for retake, and this time, in our opinion, is just enough to better prepare and successfully pass the test. Come back in two weeks and try again!

20. How can I unsubscribe?

You can deactivate your subscription by:

1. Going to https://busuu.viva.am/ from your mobile phone browser and clicking "Unsubscribe" button;

2. Or you can send SMS to number 2878 with the text: “STOP” (any register).

21. What happens if my subscription expires or is canceled?

You will be able to continue your education, but all premium features will be locked: advanced grammar lessons, offline mode, McGraw-Hill Education certification, our adaptive vocabulary trainer, etc.

22. Can I subscribe back to the service?

Yes, you just need to subscribe again to get Premium access.  (For additional information, Please, check What is “Busuu” and how do I subscribe?). Your account remains unchanged, so you don’t need to create a new one. The trial period is granted only at the first subscription and is not available at re-subscription.

23. What if I already have “Busuu” subscription and was using it by processing the payment App Store/Google Store?

We provide the Premium subscription at a special price, so, to avoid double charging, please cancel your previous subscription.