If you’ve been exploring the App Store of your phone looking for new apps to download, then you’ve probably seen Duolingo being one of the top apps for learning a new language. However, there are some reasons that make Duolingo special from other digital language platforms, such as Babbel.
Duolingo presents language learning with a game-like setting. For instance, as you complete more lessons, you gain XP, which is used to place you in different “leagues”. Furthermore, there are ten leagues in which you can place in, with the diamon league being the highest. Additionally, Duolingo places emphasis on learning every day, with a streak on the app. If you miss a day, you lose your streak.
The lessons are also very interactive, with fill-in-the-blank translations, vocabulary with visuals, as well as free-response in which you have to type a sentence in the language that you are learning.
Duolingo also has their version of game passes, giving the option to join “Super Duolingo” or “Duolingo Max” in order for players to expand their knowledge beyond the traditional format, with emphasis on role play settings and speaking exercises.
Duolingo offers many various languages, such as Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese, with Math and Music being added this year in order for players to brush up on their critical thinking skills.
Friends are also a major portion of the language learning experience on Duolingo. The app offers a “Feed” page, where you can see how many XP points your friends have gained lately, as well as promotions to different leagues. You have the option to celebrate your friends on this page as well.
United States history teacher Lauren Mosley notes her experience with Duolingo:
“I love Match Madness to help reinforce vocabulary and to help me destroy everyone on the leaderboard, especially if I have a double Xp boost!,” Mosley said. “The daily streak helps reminds me each day to practice so I don’t lose my streak. So far I’m 1,156 days into my streak and I don’t plan on letting that drop any time soon. This day only streak feature always gets me into the app and doing lessons! I also like the monthly challenges and try to get all 12 done each year.”
Mosley also notes how Duolingo can be useful when abroad.
“It’s been really helpful for me when I travel to Spain and I’ve used what I’ve learned there many times!,” Mosley said.
Aside from the aspects of the app that encourage learning, popular culture also plays a major role in its popularity and consistency. Duolingo is active on social media platforms, playing into the trends of Gen Z. For instance, there is a circulating joke saying that, if you do not complete your Spanish lessons, you will “vanish.” Because of this, Duolingo crafted the song “Spanish or Vanish,” with a catchy beat that adds a comedic sense to the expoerience. Duolingo also posts frequent posts on Instagram, appealing to the likes of this age group, creating an experience placing emphasis on fun, social, and productive language learning that has ultimately proved effective.
