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Bibo, the tarsier who guides you through Tara

Tara na! Learn the Tagalog people actually speak.

Short, game-like lessons built around everyday Filipino life: family, food, jeepneys and the palengke. Ride a route, learn a few words, then use them in a real conversation.

Start the free trial Runs in your browser. No account needed.
The Tara lesson map: a jeepney route with stops to ride

How it works

1

Ride a route

Each route is a few short lessons, called stops. The last stop is a conversation you follow along with.

2

Speak politely from day one

Learn po and opo, greetings and family words first. You need these when you meet Filipino family.

3

A small daily habit

A lesson takes a few minutes. You earn XP, keep a streak going and work toward a daily goal.

A look inside

Screens from the web trial.

The route map: a jeepney waits before the next stop, Po and opo
Your route map
A picture question, Which one is Hello?, answered right with Kumusta
Short exercises
The finished-lesson screen: All done!, with XP, accuracy and time
Finish, earn XP

Why I made Tara

PJ, maker of Tara

I was born on the Isle of Man, half French and half Filipino. When I was little I went to live with my grandparents in the Philippines, and for a few years they raised me. When I came home I spoke Tagalog and Bisaya fluently.

Then I started primary school, and the words slowly slipped away until there was nothing left. I've never really known why the language wasn't kept up at home. I just know I lost something I used to have.

A few years ago I went back to the Philippines for the first time since I was a kid. Being with my family again made me realise how much I wanted it back. I want to sit with them and talk to them in their own language, and feel closer to where I come from. My girlfriend and her family are a big part of why I keep going.

Tara starts where I had to start again: hello, po and opo, and the words you need with family. If you're finding your way back to a language too, I hope it helps you the way it's helping me.

Salamat, PJ

About this trial

  • The trial has Level 1, which is 3 routes. Levels 2 to 4 come with the full app.
  • The trial needs no account and saves nothing. Each visit starts fresh.
  • Blessica, a Filipino voice, reads every word and sentence.
  • A native speaker hasn't reviewed the Tagalog yet, so treat it as a work in progress.
  • Made for iPhone first. On iPad and Mac the trial works, but its bigger-screen layout is an early preview that's still in development.

Tell me what you think

Found a bug, spotted a mistake in the Tagalog, or have an idea? Send it here. It comes straight to me.

What is it about?

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Coming to the App Store

The full app has all four levels. Until it comes out, you can play Level 1 here in your browser.

Coming to the App Store
Try the trial now