What is Duolingo, and Can it Help Our Students Learn Languages?

 #GrammarTranslation #Behaviorist 

Hi, lovely teachers 💙

Before writing my third blog, I want to thank the teachers who contributed to my previous posts. They really helped me generate more ideas and encouraged me to move on.

Today, I want to talk about Duolingo.

What is Duolingo?

Duolingo is a popular language-learning app and website. It promises to help students learn languages through fun, game-like lessons where they can practice vocabulary, grammar, listening, and even speaking. Students earn points and rewards as they complete lessons, which keeps them motivated. The app is free, but some features, like removing ads and accessing more advanced content, require a paid Super Duolingo subscription. 

How Can Kuwaiti Teachers Use Duolingo?

My lovely teacher, you can use Duolingo to discuss Kuwaiti cultural points in class by asking students to choose the correct answer. For Example, Why Kuwaitis used to build ships in the past?

Using Duolingo in Kuwaiti Classroom 

Most students have smartphones/tablets, and the internet is available, so do not worry about that.😎
 

But is it really as effective as people say? 👀 Let's examine what it does well, what it doesn't, and whether it's worth using with our students. 

What Does Duolingo Do Well? (Advantages)

1. It is Fun & Motivating 

Duolingo turns language learning into a game with points, badges, and streaks (how many days in a row you have practised). Some students love the feeling of "levelling up," which keeps them engaged and feel that they want to achieve the end of the game.

2. Easy to use

The app is simple and works on smartphones, tablets, or computers. Students can learn anywhere, even during short breaks at home. It also encourages users to create a profile to save changes.

3. Short, Manageable Lessons

Each lesson only takes 5-10 minutes, which makes it easy to fit into busy schedules. This is perfect for busy mothers and students who want to practice without feeling pressured.

4. Suitable for Beginners 

Duolingo is beneficial for students starting a new language. It helps them build a basic vocabulary and understanding of common phrases.

5. Immediate Feedback

The app tells students right away if their answers are correct or incorrect so they can learn from their mistakes as they go.

What Duolingo Does not Do Well (Disadvantages)

1. Repetitive Content 

Many users (including students in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) have complained that Duolingo repeats the exact words and phrases too often. Instead of moving forward, students may feel stuck practising the same basic vocabulary. 

2. Limited Grammar Explanations

Duolingo teaches phrases but does not always explain why grammar works a certain way. Students can remember sentences without understanding their structure, which can be a problem when they try to create their own sentences. 

3. Not Enough for Advanced Learners 

While Duolingo is great for beginners, it does not offer enough depth for advanced students. Once students reach an intermediate level, they may get rid of the app. 

4. Overemphasis on Translation

Many Duolingo lessons focus on translating sentences instead of teaching real conversation skills. This means some students may struggle to hold a conversation in the target language, even if they can translate phrases correctly. 

5. Unhelpful or Funny sentences

One issue with Duolingo is that many of its questions can be too easy to guess because of how the multiple-choice answers are designed. For example, as shown in the picture, only one answer is realistic, while the other two are strange or silly (like "a quiet type of bird" or "a long, difficult trip"). This makes it easy for students to choose the correct answer without understanding the taught word or concept. Instead of challenging learners to use their brains and think critically, they can sometimes rely on eliminating the obviously wrong answers. In my opinion, over time, this can reduce the effectiveness of the learning process, especially for students who guess their way through lessons without fully learning. 

6. Not Completly Free

While Duolingo's basic version is free, it has ads. Students must pay Super Duolingo to access more advanced features and an ad-free experience. This can be a drawback if they want full access without interruptions. 

I recommend watching this video because he explains all the pros and cons of Duolingo:

Honest Feedback from Social Media

Many users in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have shared their experiences with Duolingo on platforms like Instagram. Some joke that learning English exclusively through Duolingo can lead to awkward or incorrect speech. One video even shows someone struggling to speak basic English with a humorous comment: "This happens when you rely on Duolingo." While funny, this also highlights a real issue: students need more than just the app to become fluent. 

How Can Teachers Use Duolingo Effectively? 

1. Pair Duolingo with Other Learning Methods

Duolingo should supplement classroom learning, not replace it. You can use it to practice vocabulary or listening at home, but I advise you to teach grammar and conversation in class.

2. Assign it as Extra Homework

Duolingo is perfect for students to use outside of school. Assign short lessons and check their progress in class. This way, students get extra practice without needing class time. 

3. Focus on Vocabulary

Let students use Duolingo to build their vocabulary, then reinforce those words through speaking and writing activities in class. 

4. Discuss Mistakes Together 

Encourage your learners to bring any confusing sentences or mistakes they encounter in Duolingo to class. This way, you can explain grammar rules and correct misunderstandings. 

Here is my video explaining how to use Duolingo. 💙😎

What approaches to language learning underpin the use of Duolingo?

Duolingo is underpinned by Grammar-translation and behaviourist approaches to language learning:

1. Grammar-Translation Approach: Duolingo employs a structured curriculum with lessons and activities centred on vocabulary and sentence structure drills.

2. Behaviorist Approach: Duolingo motivates learners through features such as spaced repetition, feedback, and gamification (reward systems). 
 

If you are interested in the approaches and you feel like you want to read more about them, just click this link:

Zhao, Dan, Jablonkai, Reka R. and Sandoval-Hernandez, Andres. "Enhancing willingness to communicate in English among Chinese students in the UK: the impact of MALL with Duolingo and HelloTalk" Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning, vol. 4, no. 1, 2024, pp. 42-73. https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2023-0027

Final Thoughts: Is Duolingo Worth It?

Duolingo is a fun and helpful tool, especially for beginners who want extra practice. But it does have limits. Students won't become fluent using Duolingo alone, 😑 mainly if they rely only on the translation exercise. Teachers can use it as extra support, but mixing it with lessons focusing on speaking grammar and real-life conversations is essential. 

So, the question now. Have you tried using Duolingo with your students? I would love to know how it worked for you and if you faced any challenges! 😘💙

Here is a quick link to Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/learn 

Please let me know in the comments! 👄

Happy teaching, 

Mashael