Language learning has always been an important component in academic learning, where both teachers and students have aspired to pick up a language that they always wanted to learn. For teachers, it has been an essential aspect as it helps to not only learn, but to also communicate in different languages. Students find the use of learning a language essential as it helps them to learn, explore and understand cultures and people which may be beneficial for their later lives.
With the advent of technology across various mediums, complex tasks such as learning a language have become easy and can be accessed through a click of a button. Mobile applications such as Duolingo has made it easier to pick and choose languages that one would want to learn, instantly.
What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is an online language learning platform that enables people to access and learn foreign languages through the Duolingo website and a mobile application.
The Duolingo application fits in the course module of learning a foreign language into byte-sized skills that makes the user feel like they are playing a video game. When they make an error, they lose points and when they complete a lesson, they gain points. Short lessons in the form of videos are also featured on the website and mobile application which empowers the users to practice reading, speaking, listening and writing to learn and improve the language. Users who complete the course are given a digital prociency exam to test their language skills.
Some of the languages which are featured on the Duolingo mobile website and application that can be learnt for free are English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, etc. The main benefit of Duolingo is that it can be accessed anywhere and at any time. Studies have found that a total of 36 hours spent on Duolingo is equivalent to one semester at a university.
Duolingo for Schools
Duolingo for schools also offers the option of learning or improving a language in schools where a teacher can recommend or add her students on the Duolingo classroom. Here, she can give her students homework assignments, class exercises and other language-oriented projects to engage her students. The teacher can track the progress of her students, while the Duolingo lessons also provide personalised feedback to the student and, prepare them for out of the classroom instruction and teaching.
Duolingo can be accessed through the Duolingo website or mobile application which is available on Google Play and Apple store. The Duolingo mobile app and website requires the person to initially register before they can use the application. The app also allows the user to choose between the free and paid subscription model.
This article originally appeared in the TeacherTribe Magazine February 2021 edition.