Duolingo

Latest Update: Duolingo’s Courses Are Effective

Peer-reviewed journal “Foreign Language Annals” published a Duolingo study, showing that completing five units in Duolingo’s Spanish and French courses is comparable to four university semesters for reading and listening skills. What’s more, Duolingo learners achieved four semesters of proficiency in reading and listening in less than half the time as their college counterparts.

Pros:

• Visual revision reminders
• Beautiful interface
• Free and fun courses
• Visual learning with images and visual prompts
• Game-like lessons keeps users motivated and on track
• Science-based teaching methodology
• Be a part of language community

Cons:

• No control over the vocabulary topics, the order they come in, and the ability to skip them
• Pronunciation practice but no human interaction
• A lot of ads on the free version of the app

How to earn gems in Duolingo?

• Double or Nothing Wager
• Watch an ad to open a free chest of gems
• Comment in the Duolingo Forum
• Finish a skill
• Achieving your daily goal
• Finish a league in the top 3 places
• Maintain a streak
• Earn an achievement