Can You Actually Learn a Language with Duolingo?

I was learning Japanese and Dutch about a year or two ago, solely and religiously using Duolingo for 3 months everyday. The following is my subjective opinion about Duolingo.

From My Experience

Short answer: No. Long answer: Maybe, if it’s not your sole language learning medium and to pair it with other learning method. But, ideally, you have much better options out there, and I will show you.

Why Duolingo is Not Good for Me

Learning Pace is Slow

When I started using Duolingo to learn Japanese, I knew only a little bit of the language. Therefore, I started at almost the beginning level. After about 2 months of digging it daily, I still couldn’t remember 80% of Hiragana and Katakana¹.

Course Structure is Repetitive

I found myself always if not endlessly practicing the most basic sentence over and over again, even I’ve gotten them right every time. It was frustrating.

No Grammar Lecture

Grammar is just isn’t what Duolingo aim to focus on. There were barely any proper course on grammar usage and sentence structure.

Paywall

I know that many of you have already accepted how everything is a subscription service. However, it should not be. And particularly not on this subpar level of learning service.

Duolingo was Never Meant for Serious Learner

Apart from being an occasion freshener for the language and basic conversation material, there were no in-depth study for a language to help you truly understand how your target language works. And it certainly doesn’t help you build vocabulary like the free Anki flashcard software does.

Who is Duolingo for?

Those who have no time commitment to learn a language, simply trying out a language, or use it as a complimentary freshener with other study methods.

Better Duolingo Alternatives

I truly believe any serious language learner would not get satisfied with Duolingo. Especially, when you have other options such as LingoDeer, Bunpo, Bunpro, MemRise, Babbel, and RosettaStone, etc. Literally, I would put Duolingo at the bottom of the list, even if it make it to the list. (Bunpo and Bunpro are Japanese only)

Each of them has their own focus. For example, LingoDeer has been praised by great grammar drill. It even includes smaller languages like Vietnamese, Thai, Ukrainian, and Arabic, etc. Or for MemRise, their app includes native speaker videos to provide better immersion for learners.

What Language Learning App Should You Use?

To be honest, it depends on what your goals are, and your preference of learning.

Ideally, it should compliment your learning and can be integrated to your daily life nicely. Say if you don’t want to or due to the limitation of your environment that you cannot speak out loud. It makes no sense to try to force an app that focus on speaking to make it work for you.

Another thing is that, I tend to prefer an app with a strong focus on one if not a few languages only. That’s because they can get more in-depth compared to apps that trying to do everything without being excellent in one. And, you are mostly just learning one to two languages anyway.

That’s why I can’t decide it for you. You will have to try it for yourself, and you can. Most of them offers a trial period, take advantage of it and try out as much as you can. Then, just pick one and stick with it! If you can, try to find an app that covers all your target languages with a lifetime deal.

Conclusion

To learn a language properly, you will need what people say input and output. Input being consuming medium with your target language at a slightly higher level than what you capable of, and output means speaking and writing. While Duolingo might seems to includes both, it is still not ideal because of reasons mentioned above. You have much better options out there.

What Else?

Consider reading books for learning grammar and using Flashcard app like Anki to build your vocabulary. Watch videos, listening to music and podcast in your target language can also make learning much more fun.

Writer’s Note

Above all else, I find myself learn much better by reading books instead of using an app. It can be free if you borrow it from the library, and it is creditable. It also allows me to focus on just finishing the book without hopping from apps to apps, nor limited by interface and designed course structure.

Happy learning reader.

¡Hasta Luego!