Duolingo is free language learning learning software accessible through the internet and through IOS and Android software. The business model of the software and the site is that revenues are primarily generated through advertisements or through the payment of a monthly subscription fee. The monthly subscription fee removes the advertisements for the user and allows the user to download lessons rather than needing access to the internet.
Within Duolingo, the language learning pair is called a "path", due to its appearance of being a single wiggly line of stepping stones. Its skills are represented by these stepping stones. You must complete all the lessons within the skills at one level before the next level of skills is unlocked. The software also awards you with "lingots" or "gems" for completing lessons, for multi-day streaks, and for achieving your daily activity goals. The software is designed to turn the language learning process into a game, which increases the motivation of the students.
The software has won numerous awards for best free language software. However, there is a consensus within the language learning community that the software is a good supplement for more traditional language learning systems, and can help the student gain knowledge through the A2 level.
Hints[]
While the Duolingo site no longer directly displays this information, the duome.eu site accesses the underlying database to provide more detailed information about the student's progress. This information includes the decay of words as time goes on. To access the detailed information, go to duome.eu/username/progress.
Once a path has been completed, many users continue on to the reverse tree for additional skill gains. A reverse path is designed to teach the student's L1 within the newly learned L2 language. For example, upon completing the French for English speakers tree, the student could continue on with the English for French speakers tree. Since each tree is independently created, there will be an increase in the vocabulary being learned.
Opinions and criticism[]
One notable danger is learning only to translate and having difficulties thinking directly in your target language. Some users have also reported that the quality of the advanced lessons is low. The general consensus appears to be that it's not very comprehensive, but can work well as a supplement.
See the following threads:
Available Language Courses[]
Language Courses for English Speakers[]
| Language | Active Students[1] | Tree[2] | Skills | Lessons | Lexemes[3] | Reverse Tree[4] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | 75,500 | 31 | 150 | 1053 | Yes | ||
| Chinese | 3,370,000 | 88 | 284 | 1,932 | Yes | ||
| Czech | 408,000 | 84 | 422 | 2,362 | Yes | ||
| Danish | 525,000 | 70 | 340 | 2,341 | |||
| Dutch | 1,320,000 | 123 | 502 | 2,933 | Yes | ||
| Esperanto | 319,000 | 62 | 340 | 2,284 | |||
| French | 12,000,000[5] | V2 | 78+2 | 358+6 | 2,366+39 | Yes | Old existing tree[6] |
| French | 12,000,000[5] | V3 | 96+3 | 402+9 | 2,811+55 | Yes | Volunteer contributor tree[6][7] |
| French | 12,000,000[5] | Tree8 | 119+3 | 598+9 | 3,816+55 | Yes | Staff and contractor tree[6][7]
All users to be migrated to V4 in early 2019 |
| French | 12,000,000[5] | Tree12 | 156+2 | 741+6 | 4,906+39 | Yes | New tree (11/18)[7][8] |
| German | 7,390,000 | 121 | 458 | 2,864 | Yes | ||
| Greek | 1,030,000 | 74 | 278 | 2,010 | Yes | ||
| Hawaiian | 466,000 | 9 | 27 | 104 | In beta | ||
| Hebrew | 840,000 | 84 | 446 | 2,833 | |||
| High Valyrian | 1.030,000 | 33 | 122 | 706 | |||
| Hindi | 924,000 | 32 | 133 | 656 | Yes | ||
| Hungarian | 327,000 | 78 | 319 | 2,367 | Yes | In beta | |
| Indonesian | 298,000 | 69 | 310 | 1,882 | Yes | In beta | |
| Irish | 951,000 | 64 | 292 | 1,711 | |||
| Italian | 5,130,000 | 66 | 405 | 2,784 | Yes | ||
| Japanese | 4,840,000 | 40 | 185 | 1,217 | Yes | ||
| Klingon | 486,000 | 62 | 237 | 1,459 | In beta | ||
| Korean | 3,570,000 | 65 | 258 | 1,793 | Yes | ||
| Navajo | 272,000 | 11 | 28 | 143 | In beta | ||
| Norwegian (Bokmål) | 810,000 | 117 | 531 | 3,428 | |||
| Polish | 852,000 | 67 | 298 | 1,938 | Yes | ||
| Portuguese | 2,220,000 | 91 | 463 | 2,919 | Yes | New tree[9] | |
| Romanian | 457,000 | 62 | 286 | 2,405 | Yes | ||
| Russian | 2,980,000 | 79 | 350 | 2,279 | Yes | ||
| Spanish | 22,500,000 | 113 | 520 | 3,309 | Yes | ||
| Swahili | 367,000 | 65 | 195 | 1,257 | |||
| Swedish | 1,110,000 | 66 | 325 | 2,361 | |||
| Turkish | 1,390,000 | 67 | 200 | 1,465 | Yes | ||
| Ukrainian | 321,000 | 51 | 209 | 1,108 | Yes | ||
| Vietnamese | 600,000 | 84 | 320 | 1,661 | Yes | ||
| Welsh | 353,000 | 118 | 416 | 2,366 |
Other language courses[]
If the only course offered in a language is English and it qualifies as a reverse tree from English (above), it will not be listed below:
- Arabic speakers can take courses in English, French, German, and Swedish. A Spanish course is hatching[10].
- Bengali speakers will be able to take a course in English, which is currently hatching[10].
- Chinese speakers can take courses in English and Spanish. French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Korean courses are hatching[10].
- French speakers can take courses in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- German speakers can take courses in English, French, and Spanish.
- Italian speakers can take courses in English, French, German, and Spanish.
- Portuguese speakers can take courses in English, Esperanto (in beta), French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
- Russian speakers can take courses in English, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.
- Spanish speakers can take courses in Catalan, English, Esperanto, French, German, Guarani (Jopará), Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
- Tagalog speakers can take a course in English.
- Tamil speakers can take a course in English.
- Telugu speakers can take a course in English.
- Thai speakers can take a course in English.
- Turkish speakers can take courses in French, English, German, and Russian.
Links[]
Official web site: www.duolingo.com
Duolingo Wiki: https://duolingo.wikia.com/wiki/Duolingo
References and Notes[]
- ↑ As of 29 June 2019; reported by Duolingo
- ↑ If more than one active tree exists, data will be listed for each active tree. Once a new tree is fully launched, new users will be placed in the new tree. Users cannot choose which tree they are placed in. If only one active tree exists, this field remains blank.
- ↑ Lexemes are neither actual lexemes or individual words. Lexemes includes each word form as a separate lexemes as well as combined lexemes such as bonne nuit in the French course. There are reports of duplicates on the list.
- ↑ Is there a reverse tree (target language to english). Yes means the reverse tree exists. Beta means the reverse tree is in beta. Hatching means the reverse tree is being created, but not yet available.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Active number of students in all French trees
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 French Trees Explained; https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/29069435/French-Trees-Explained
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 French Trees Stats?; https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/29741879
- ↑ New English->French A/B tree (V5??) with 156 skills, 741 lessons, 4906 "DL lexemes ids" is out, https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/29740054
- ↑ The new Portuguese Tree is under Test! :D :D :D; https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/27497456
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Hatching means that a volunteer team is working on building the tree, but it has not yet been placed into open beta