Duolingo is a free application available on ITunes and the Google Play store that is swiftly gaining popularity. It currently has over 100 million downloads and a 4.7 star review average. Its purpose is to teach language in an interactive and fun way that is family friendly.
Users start by selecting a language to learn. Options at this point include Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch and 19 others, with more being added regularly. You can then decide how often you would like to use the app from five minutes to 20 minutes each day and set that as your goal.
Once users have picked a language and set a use goal, they may take a placement test to decipher which course is right for them. The basics start with illustrated match games that teach pronunciation and recognition. The app progresses from there, becoming more difficult and comprehensive in language immersion.
Users are rewarded for progress in the form of points and points are removed for incorrect answers. It is also possible to join online clubs of other users learning the same language and challenge your friends.
The draw of this program is its game-like feel and quick comprehension. It also offers audible pronunciation aides and a “speak back” feature that assures your diction is correct. The app description notes, “34 hours of Duolingo is equivalent to one semester in a college language course.”
Duolingo is appropriate for all ages and all levels of education, and it is fun.
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