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Original poster

does anyone use Duolingo and what are you learning?

24 replies

OtraCosaMariposa · 30/08/2019 12:50

Have just discovered this app and it's great! (not an advert honest). My degree is in languages so i've always had an interest. Currently powering my way though basic Portuguese (Eu sou uma mulher) and wondering what to do next! Norwegian? Korean?

Any other learners out there?

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 30/08/2019 13:44

I've just started French. I did it for 2 years at school many moons ago.
Latin looks tempting.

Needtobuildabridge · 30/08/2019 13:47

Italian for a holiday :)

britnay · 30/08/2019 13:48

I'm learning Danish. I'm not very good at languages, so its slow progress!

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Bloodybridget · 30/08/2019 13:50

I've done Spanish quite a bit, trying to brush up. I do think it's terribly boring and repetitive, though, with really bizarre sentences - "The elephants drink milk"?? Also dabbled in Italian which I hadn't learned before.

WinterHare · 30/08/2019 13:54

That bloody owl is so irritating.

Original poster
OtraCosaMariposa · 30/08/2019 14:02

No Klingon then?

OP posts:
BrokenWing · 30/08/2019 14:05

ds and I did 3 sessions 4-5 times a week for around a year to help his school French in S1.

We found we could progress quite far in the app with a lot of guess work and it became more of a game than learning, then when we got to the parts to write sentences in it suddenly became quite difficult and we couldn't do it as it had not taught anything about sentence structure etc.

For his school now we find using home written revision cards and spaced repetition for the actual topics/vocab is much much better.

Duolingo might be ok for learning parts of a language for fun, but I wouldn't recommend for secondary school kids.

parrotonmyshoulder · 30/08/2019 14:07

French. I have an ancient A level so finding it slow at first. However, DH has been doing it daily for the last year, from his starting point of GCSE French and was really good on holiday this year. His accent and vocabulary were great. Listening still hard!

SweetPetrichor · 30/08/2019 14:09

I've been doing Norwegian for a while, and I've just started Hawaiian because we're having a language learning competition at work and you can't use a language you're familiar with/already learning...so I thought Hawaiian seemed fun. I'm not learning for any practical purpose, I don't travel. It's just for brain engagement.

Original poster
OtraCosaMariposa · 30/08/2019 14:10

I know what you mean, Broken Wing. I started on German and was quite frustrated that there was no explanation about "der or "das", it was just a matter or remembering which one went with which word.

OP posts:
JemilyJ · 30/08/2019 14:13

I just started French on there last week. Thinking of switching to Italian as I may be going to Italy next year (and possibly using Memrise too as that has different vocab etc but is a similar concept so I could learn more).

Utrecht · 30/08/2019 14:16

I found it massively improved my French (I have dusty GCSE and A-level - although I didn't do at all well in the A-level), although I don't really use it much any more, as over the last year or so my French has got beyond the point where it's useful. But I've started Spanish and Italian as well, to drag myself up to holiday level. And my kids are doing French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch between them and DP is brushing up his German, so I think it's fair to say we quite like it! 😁 I just wish sometimes we were a bit more rich and calm...

Utrecht · 30/08/2019 14:19

I agree, though, BrokenWing, it works best alongside more formal teaching, otherwise the grammar and sentence structures are pretty wobbly!

whattodowith · 30/08/2019 15:16

My DC use it for French. Expands their school learning.

OnTheFirstDayOfChristmas · 30/08/2019 23:46

I'm learning Norwegian with Duolingo. Really enjoying using the app. Feels like I'm not wasting my time when I'm on my phone as I'm learning something and not just looking on social media.

Cooroo · 31/08/2019 00:11

I've been doing Spanish since last December. The repetitiveness means you really learn the rules and vocabulary. Mind you it's always a huge relief to move on to a new lesson!
I have a 'real life' lesson once a week but Duolingo helps massively.

Moveoverplease · 31/08/2019 00:15

Never heard of it, but it sounds interesting and useful. Is it an app that you have to pay for?

threesenoughthanks · 31/08/2019 00:16

My Dd has spent the summer learning Italian and has really enjoyed it. She says it's Welsh next.

NoHummus · 31/08/2019 00:28

I love Duolingo! My life goal is to get a 365 day streak. I always seem to muck up about 150 days in and it wants £££ to restore the streak - no chance!
I've got several languages on mine and I flick between them. I am furthest on with German, but I'm currently brushing up on French. I've also got Welsh, Swedish and Japanese on there plus a few others I was curious about.

ilovesooty · 31/08/2019 00:31

I've been doing Spanish for the past 3 weeks. I'm starting a class in a few weeks.

Jarimbert · 31/08/2019 00:47

French and German. I already know some of each (studied German at college on an evening course and added French on as an option during the foundation year of my degree). I did GCSE Spanish, but it's a bit rusty, so will probably add that to refresh myself.

evilharpy · 31/08/2019 01:01

I’m using it to brush up on my rusty French. I’m also listening to Paul Noble’s audio course in the car, it’s very similar to Michel Thomas except with a native speaker and without the idiot students. He claims that he doesn’t teach grammar... except he does, you just don’t notice Grin

I’ve previously used it for Irish and keep meaning to go back to it. I love Duolingo.

LightDrizzle · 31/08/2019 01:01

It’s a shame they don’t have a European Portuguese course.
Because of that I went with Michel Thomas - and I think it’s excellent.

Ginandsonic · 31/08/2019 01:02

Bit of French, bit of Hawaiian and I'm just getting into Latin. I love Duolingo

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