Do you use Duolingo? (2 Viewers)

[RainbowMoon]

I used to use it but then I realized that it doesn't actually teach you anything (unless you're stuck on a particular grammar rule), it's just a bunch of repetitive learning. If you are learning Spanish and also want some grammar learning, I recommend SpanishDict and Conjugemos but you can only get so far with Duolingo imo (I'm not sure about other languages, though)

 

[TrinityJade]

I do use it!
I use it for a little Chinese and it helps you with basics, like learning new words but you're correct you can really only go so far.

 

[ChiaraStar169]

used to, but you're absolutely right - you can only go so far. And it's also been so ridden with AI now that it's put me off using it for good.

 

[HugeBakkaeMotae]

I used to but as you pointed out it's too limited for serious learning and the lesson order is totally out of whack, I remember being taught really obscure phrases before ever being taught to count to 10. Another problem is that it never tells you any of the linguistic rules and after doing it for a while you naturally start wondering why a word is pronounced differently in a different sentence and other how's and why's and you start to realize you really need a teacher that you can ask things or just better learning material than an app that hammers words into your head without explanation.

Duolingo is okay though if you just want a bit of fun or to learn a few words and phrases.

 

[ChiaraStar169]

I used to but as you pointed out it's too limited for serious learning and the lesson order is totally out of whack, I remember being taught really obscure phrases before ever being taught to count to 10. Another problem is that it never tells you any of the linguistic rules and after doing it for a while you naturally start wondering why a word is pronounced differently in a different sentence and other how's and why's and you start to realize you really need a teacher that you can ask things or just better learning material than an app that hammers words into your head without explanation.

Duolingo is okay though if you just want a bit of fun or to learn a few words and phrases.

ikr! when I was learning Korean on there, it didn't give me any grammar tips, just threw a bunch of words, clauses, and sentences my way without explaining.

 

[RainbowMoon]

used to, but you're absolutely right - you can only go so far. And it's also been so ridden with AI now that it's put me off using it for good.

I'm glad I stopped using it when I did then lol. Two things I absolutely hate with educational sites is when they put features that were previously free behind a paywall and look for any way they can charge (looking at you, Quizlet) and adding way too much AI

 

[centen]

I used to use it but then I realized that it doesn't actually teach you anything (unless you're stuck on a particular grammar rule), it's just a bunch of repetitive learning.

My exact same journey. It's essentially language flash cards, which isn't the same as learning a language. I still know a handful of specific words and phrases, but I couldn't carry even a child-level conversation in the language.

 

[athenaaa]

I do use it, I have a streak of like 370-something days

 

[RainbowMoon]

My exact same journey. It's essentially language flash cards, which isn't the same as learning a language. I still know a handful of specific words and phrases, but I couldn't carry even a child-level conversation in the language.

Exactly. I was taking high school Spanish for a few years in person so Duolingo was a good tool to build my vocab since they hammer the grammar rules and actually utilizing the language in normal speech in class. I still used Duolingo a lot but it was definitely a pattern I've noticed.

I also forgot to mention that I'm not a huge fan of the streak system. It sounds good in retrospect but I found myself just wanting to complete one lesson and forget about it the entire day, just to keep my streak

 

[RainbowMoon]

I do use it, I have a streak of like 370-something days

That's impressive!! I think the highest streak I've gotten was 78
But out of curiosity, do you think it's a helpful language learning resource and have you ever run into "I'll just complete one lesson for the day to save my streak?" I think that was one of the biggest reasons I stopped using it since it was becoming less like I wanted to use it to learn and more like "I gotta keep my streak up" 😭

 

[dark_tranquility]

on and off yes

 

[rayhere]

my negative 9 month streak

 

[Soogi]

i tried using it but could never really get into it. seems like something thats good to learn some vocab and basic phrases but idk if you'll ever get fluent if you only rely on duolingo to learn a language

 

[DaisySkies]

they use ai, so no

 

[pinkmelodies]

I just started using it this month, but I'm not a big fan of the mechanics

 

[eclipsoul]

no honestly i hate that app. sure language learning can be fun but prioritising AI over human translators is not the way to make it so. right now i'm trying to learn italian during my free time and even watching random movies in that language does more for me than duolingo ever would.

 

[RainbowMoon]

my negative 9 month streak

Has Duolingo sent you any threatening emails lately?
I haven't used Duolingo in so long, I think the bird is after me

 

[rayhere]

Has Duolingo sent you any threatening emails lately?
I haven't used Duolingo in so long, I think the bird is after me

unfortunately

my spam seems to be full!

 

[RainbowMoon]

unfortunately

my spam seems to be full!

Let's gooo

 

[Ahsoka]

I do, I find it useful. Duolingo on its own won’t give you fluency, but literally nothing in its own will. It also varies quite a bit depending on language. Some languages are well supported, and some aren’t at all. So overall, it really depends on what your goals are and what areas you’re trying to target.