In school, I learned to speak French and German, although much of what my teachers taught me has turned into dead matter in my brain, forever irretrievable. Every time I holiday in France or Spain, it frustrates me how little I can remember and how lost I feel being a foreign speaker.
When I studied languages 25 to 30 years ago, there were no apps to help or video calling technology where I could connect with language experts around the world. Instead, language learning involved a lot of listening and repeating, with very little besides. Meaning no disrespect to my teachers, but I think there was a better way.
It was 22 years after I left school that I found the Babbel app and was quickly able to brush up on my French and even learn some new words. More recently, Duolingo has been my go-to language app, mainly because I’ve been working through the math course with my daughter and learning Japanese on the side.
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This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn’t live without. Read them all here.
Duolingo is a fun app for learning 40+ languages through quick, bite-sized lessons. Each lesson leads you through speaking, reading, listening, and writing to build your vocabulary and grammar skills. It is one of the most engaging and well-put-together apps that I’ve ever used, from the bright and colorful graphics to the sound effects and haptics. I would recommend it to anyone.
The Duolingo philosophy
Duolingo uses a “Path” system that looks like a long scrolling snake. Each circle on the path is a level, and each level contains a set of lessons, usually between 2 and 6. Moving forward a level is as simple as successfully completing all the lessons in that circle. You’ll find that each lesson focuses on a specific theme, with the intended repetition designed to cement learning.
To complement regular review and repetition, the path also features “Personalized Practice” circles, usually with a dumbbell icon, that force you to review older material before you can unlock new topics. This spaced repetition might feel like Duolingo is sending you back to the basics, but it’s how they ensure the words actually stick in your long-term memory.
Language learning that is fun and rewarding
The Duolingo learning approach is simple and engaging. Learners are presented with one question at a time, with enough question type variety to keep them interested. Languages are spoken by native speakers, which not only helps with authenticity but also ensures you’re getting the best possible pronunciation.
Answering each question correctly results in the delivery of some encouraging sound effects and even haptics to help reinforce that you’ve succeeded. If, on the other hand, you’ve answered incorrectly, then the app will store all those mistakes and present them back to you at the end of the lesson. This prevents users from rushing through the material and moving to more advanced content before they’re actually ready.
Sometimes, language learning through apps can lack the information and nuance of vocabulary and grammar. That’s why I was glad to find an ‘Explain my answer’ feature which provides extra details on what you’re learning, puts words into context, and is particularly helpful for working out why you’ve made a mistake.
To help keep learners motivated, Duolingo also offers a range of rewards, including daily quests such as scoring 90% in a lesson or spending 10 minutes learning. You can also see your standing in the league tables and compete with other learners.
Get the most out of Duolingo
The free version of Duolingo is great for around ten minutes of learning per day and for casual users who need to learn the basics. If you try to push beyond this, then you’ll quickly find that you run out of ‘energy,’ which is the app’s currency for answering questions.
To remove the friction of the free version, you can upgrade to Super Duolingo and get unlimited energy, no ads, and personalized review sessions. The upgrade costs $12.99/£10.99 per month.
If you want to really maximize your learning experience, then you’ll need to upgrade to Duolingo Max. The top-tier subscription offers AI tools, roleplay, and video calling. This is for intermediate learners who need a safe space to practice.
So, whether you need to brush up on a childhood language or want to learn a new language, why not download Duolingo on iOS and Android.
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paulo.n.hatton@gmail.com (Paul Hatton)
