Mac users have a set of built-in language learning features that most people never activate. Combined with the right third-party apps, a Mac can function as a serious language learning environment without any specialized hardware. Here is what to set up.
Built-In Mac Features for Language Learners
System Dictionary with multiple languages: macOS includes a powerful dictionary app that supports multiple languages. Go to Dictionary > Preferences and enable the foreign language dictionaries you need. Once enabled, you can three-finger click (or Control-click) any word in any app - Pages, Safari, Mail, Notes - and see its definition or translation instantly.
Translation via Shortcuts: macOS Monterey and later include a built-in Translation shortcut. Select text in Safari or other apps, right-click, and translate directly from the context menu.
Text Input in multiple languages: add your target language keyboard under System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources. Switch between keyboards with Cmd+Space (or whatever shortcut you configure). Essential for writing practice in the target language.
Speak function: select text in any language and use Edit > Speech > Start Speaking to have the Mac read it aloud. This is useful for hearing pronunciation of words you are reading. The voice quality varies by language but is serviceable for most major languages.
Third-Party Apps for Mac Language Learning
Anki Desktop: the best spaced repetition flashcard system, and the macOS desktop version is free. Create or import vocabulary decks, review due cards, and sync with AnkiMobile on your phone.
LingQ (web app): LingQ's web app works well on Mac and provides inline translation, vocabulary tracking, and a library of imported content. If you use LingQ on mobile, the desktop web app syncs your progress.
PopClip extensions: PopClip is a Mac utility that creates a floating toolbar when you select text. Language learning extensions for PopClip let you translate selected words, add them to Anki, or look them up in a dictionary instantly. Available from the PopClip extensions directory.
TransLearn: primarily a mobile app for EPUB and PDF reading with tap-to-translate, TransLearn's vocabulary list syncs to desktop. Words saved while reading on your Mac or phone appear in your review queue across devices.
Mac-Specific Language Learning Workflows
Browser reading workflow: open target-language websites in Safari, use the built-in translation for pages you want to understand at a glance, and use a Safari extension (Mate Translate, DeepL) for individual word lookup while reading in the target language.
Writing practice workflow: open TextEdit or Pages, switch to your target language keyboard, and write. Use the built-in spell checker for the target language (set via Edit > Spelling > Show Spelling and Grammar) to catch errors as you write.
Video study workflow: watch YouTube content in your target language in Safari with YouTube auto-captions enabled. Pause, use the dictionary to look up unfamiliar words in the subtitles, continue.
Mac vs iPhone for Language Learning
Mac is better for extended reading sessions, writing practice, and managing Anki decks. iPhone is better for everything else - push notifications, camera translation, commute listening, short reading sessions. The ideal setup uses both, with vocabulary and reading progress synced between them.