Lots of people want to learn a second language but there are so many barriers that get in their way. Now, with Duolingo, you can learn another language in your own time without the need for a teacher or a fixed learning schedule.
I’m going to take a few minutes to talk about an amazing online tool that I think will change the world of linguistics (and the world in general) in a very big way. It’s a FREE language learning website named DuoLingo. It truly is a one-of-a-kind service that combines some of the most important aspects of learning a language (or trying to learn) with its combination of pictures, words, audio recordings, typing in English + typing in your target language and translation of foreign content from foreign websites (who use some slang and “low” language practices)in to English.
How I study with DuoLingo
I speak every word that I read or write as I sit in front of my computer. I try to ask myself questions in my target language and have conversations with myself to answer my own questions all in a foreign tongue. I find myself asking and speaking more and more fluently when I do this because it builds the muscles that I need to effectively speak in another language. DuoLingo has also incorporated a type of course flow for you to follow so you can keep yourself accountable, progressing and even compare yourself to others and their make your way through the lessons. You earn “skill points” which are just a way to visually track your progress and give you a “rank” within their system. I’m currently a Level 4 Spanish learner. I find that the whole point system works quite effectively and stimulates repeat language practice. You can even get daily e.mails to remind you to practice or maybe you’d like a notification when one of the people that you follow, passes you in the course so you can keep up with them or pass them. Competition is a driving force behind a lot of things that we do and I think this is a great way to help people stay accountable to their language goals. I also spend a bit of time asking questions for specific meanings of words just to get clarification between words with similar meanings (like: Quick vs Fast vs Rapid)
How to learn another language for FREE with DuoLingo
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How to learn another language for FREE with DuoLingo
What I like about DuoLingo:
Spoken Audio by a native speaker
Pictures with spoken audio by a native speaker
Written words both in English and your target language.
You translate foreign text from actual foreign websites.
You vote on other people’s translations so the best expression is found across languages.
Experienced users can help teach less experienced users with a Q&A
Tips and notes for each lesson along with a “forum style” questions board for anyone and everyone to ask Qs for that lesson. (This is very social)
It’s FREE.
They have German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, English and are currently working on Italian.
What I dont like about DuoLingo:
They only have German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, English and are currently working on Italian.
No mobile app yet. But they are working on it and I will post as soon as I hear of it’s release.
Overall, I would say that DuoLingo is the absolute best automated language learning platform that is available for free on the web today. It’s hard to say with as young as DuoLingo is but I think they could very well be the best automated language learning platform on the planet in a matter of years. You decide for yourself and get started learning another language with DuoLingo, today!
