Speak850: Basic English

Speak English with just 850 words.

Speak850 teaches you Basic English — the famous method created by linguist C. K. Ogden in 1930: a small, carefully chosen core of 850 words that can express almost any everyday idea. Master this core and you can communicate right away — then grow naturally toward full English.

Learn in your own language. Pick from 22 native languages and every word and example sentence is shown with a translation you understand, plus clear on-device audio.

WHAT YOU GET • A complete 14-week course — all 852 Basic English words, grouped into clear topics (People, Actions, House & Home, The Body, and more). • Smart flashcards with spaced repetition (SRS) that bring words back exactly when you're about to forget them. • A daily review queue, study streak, daily goal, and an optional reminder to keep the habit. • Listen and learn — natural pronunciation for every word and sentence.

PRO unlocks the full experience • The complete course — every topic and all 852 words. • Unlimited mixed practice: choose the meaning, pick the word, listen, and spell. • Example Sentences — see every word in real context, with audio and a translation in your language. • Word Combinations & Grammar guides — the heart of the method: how a few verbs plus direction words (get up, put on, take off, give up…) and a handful of simple rules let you say almost anything.

One-time purchase. No subscription. Free updates.

The first topics and a daily review are free, so you can feel the method before you decide.

Your progress is private — stored on your device and synced through your own iCloud. No accounts, no ads, no tracking.

Note: This app is an independent work that teaches the public-domain Basic English method. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by C. K. Ogden's estate or the Orthological Institute. All example sentences and translations are original.