Most people I chat with these days about language study mention they are using DuoLingo, a free, popular internet program. I am a devotee of DuoLingo and have been using it every day for over four years (I have a 1465 day streak going—obsessive, right?) I study four Romance languages and two Celtic languages. DuoLingo offers an impressive array of languages and frequently adds new languages.. You can do Duolingo on a computer or a mobile device.
If you haven't been introduced to DuoLingo yet, let me try to summarize it. Warning: the program is addictive. You are presented with a series of exercises in the language of your choice based on vocabulary and grammar topics, such as "to be" or "business."
Each exercise has approximately ten parts which may be listening, speaking, reading or writing activities. Answers can be submitted by keyboard or voice. If you complete an exercise successfully, you hear a pleasant computer sound and are awarded 10 or more experience points (XP's). That is the heart of the program. But DuoLingo consists of more optional features to personalize the language learning experience. Which types of personality might use the various features, I wondered?
Language Geeks
As I began to use DuoLingo, I was both surprised and heartened to learn how many language geeks besides myself are out in the world. For example, in the web version, after submitting each answer, DuoLingo gives you the option of discussing it with other users. Who would have predicted that there would be so many passionate and complex exchanges about grammar and vocabulary? An example from DuoLingo Spanish, one of 103 entries about translating "We drink milk," is "Can someone help me understand the difference between bebe, bebes, bemos (sic) and bebemos?"
Another feature that language geeks may enjoy is clicking the "report" button if they disagree with the correct answer. I have done that myself a few times and have even received a reply back from DuoLingo saying that my answer would now be accepted. Ah, the joy of righting a wrong in the world!
A "share" version on the mobile version allows users the option of sending an answer to someone or some place. I just discovered one possibility, "Add to Notes," that may work for recording something I want to ponder at my leisure.
Finally, language geeks may be intrigued by the offerings of two invented languages, Klingon and High Valyrian, recent additions to DuoLingo.
Old School Users
If your first experience studying another language was in a grade or high school classroom, as mine was, you may be searching for DuoLingo features that look and feel familiar. Both the web and mobile versions have buttons to click to read short grammar explanations. You click on the light bulb in the web version to learn more about the topic.
You can also take a teacher role by clicking on the "Review" button after each exercise and comparing your erroneous answers to the correct ones.
As students, we are comfortable with ability levels (remember Blue Bird and Red Bird groups in kinder?). DuoLingo allows users to progress through levels, with material becoming increasing challenging. Recently DuoLingo introduced "crown" levels which give users even more challenge and practice (sort of like additional pages in a workbook).
The good news is that the web version makes the crown levels easier to achieve because the consequences of wrong answers are not as dire as on the mobile version. (This is a controversial topic for another day.)
Another feature that old school users may recognize is found under "Labs" on the web version. I recently clicked on several of the interactive Spanish stories and found the experience familiar and enjoyable.
Social Butterflies
As an introvert, I may not be the best person to comment on social opportunities on DuoLingo, but I do realize that connecting to other language learners is important. The web version of DuoLingo has an active discussion board where I have received good advice from time to time, usually about how to use a new DuoLingo feature. And be advised that DuoLingo does throw new features at you without warning for which you may need a little help from your online friends.
Another social media type feature of DuoLingo on the mobile version is an icon called "Clubs." I haven't explored it fully, but at first glance it looks like a sort of Facebook for DuoLingo users.
Another less demanding social aspect of DuoLingo is following other users and having them follow you. You can check your Leader Board to see how the amount of experience points you achieve compares to people that you follow. And be advised that there is always someone out there who is ahead of you.
I try to imagine some of these leaders who are way out front. Do they have a life?
No matter what your age, personality, language background or skill with technology, I believe that if you have an interest in other languages for whatever purpose that you can find what you want on DuoLingo to personalize the language learning experience. And remember, DuoLingo is free and may become your favorite healthy habit.
