Duolingo

[NachoCheesed]

Has anyone actually learned to speak a language fluently with Duolingo? Trying to learn Italian and can successfully order a coffee at the moment.

I don't think Duolingo by itself is enough.

I'm a languages teacher and have also learned a third foreign language as an adult (originally starting out with some Duolingo). You couldn't become fluent in a language just by using Duolingo.

I think it’s great as far as it goes. Doing a few minutes a day is always going to be helpful. To be fluent I think you need to do more though. Some of the language is hilarious though rather than helpful,but I do know my dogs like red hats, for example (I’m learning Spanish)…

I think that French and Spanish could get you to b2 level

But you'd have to use it in conjunction with other stuff

The Italian course isn't long enough 🥺 but its a good place to start

Keep going x

My DP is fed up of being asked for a coffee with milk please 🤣 will find other sources to compliment Duolingo

It depends on what you want from it and what language you learn.

The Italian language course currently doesn't go that far - I think French and Spanish are as in-depth as they go.

I've done Dutch and I'm working on French. For me this is a revelation as I've just got no where learning another language and Duolingo has opened the door for me to be able to begin to access. Learn a language CDs haven't worked and I just don't have the confidence for lessons.

I've also used Busuu as a supplement to Duolingo and think it's really useful.

I do think you have to learn at a greater rate than the minimum one lesson a day to maintain your streak.

I can actually recognise words in Dutch and French so it's helping me get by - so I really do think it's worth it.

The Italian course on Duolingo goes to a level which is recognised so you can convert it, and then take it further. The idea you can learn a language fluently is silly though - you have to interact with people to do that.

Welsh is hilarious. Everyone is unemployed and Owen likes parsnips. Amongst other terribly negative stereotypes.

(It's worth saying that Duolingos development of the Welsh course was partly funded by the Welsh government at this point).

In order to be fluent you need to be able to understand extended passages of speech at native speaker conversational speed, and be able to respond fully at a natural conversational speed. And also have a mastery of the grammar. You are never going to get close to that on Duolingo.

I moved onto podcasts and audiobooks. Lots and lots of listening is key to fluenctly. And preferably someone to actually converse with!

I did a bit of holiday Danish. There seemed to be quite a lot of sentences about bears and wolves!

It's a good starting point but I have supplemented with YouTube content in the languages I have learnt. There are some useful recommendations here https://beyondthelanguagebarrier.com/37-awesome-youtube-channels-language-learning/ (although, much to my annoyance, the Portuguese teachers are Brazilian which is NOT THE SAME LANGUAGE... rant over)

Duo has Klingon too.

I got so frustrated with the Duolingo Welsh course. I could say that someone was an unemployed house-husband from Brittany, enjoyed ice-skating and didn't like leeks . But I couldn't ask for anything in a shop or ask directions (or understand the reply).

Welsh Duo thinks I will go to the museum far more than anyone needs to 😆

These lessons do come eventually but you have to wade through a lot of pannas first.

And High Valyrian. And yet no Icelandic. If I were from Iceland I'd be pretty pissed off that Duolingo favours fictional languages over my real one! I'm a bit pissed off myself - I'm off to Iceland this summer and was going to learn a bit. I'm sure I can find another source, but I'm used to Duolingo!

Italian on Duolingo is great if you ever want to report supernatural events in a hotel room.

I'm using Duolingo for French, can anyone recommend what to use alongside it? I thought about listening to podcasts

I’ve been learning Spanish and really enjoy it. I spend far more time on Duolingo than I should and only have another few months to go, I’m within sight of the end of unit 8. I listen to the Duolingo podcasts and watch Spanish tv with subtitles. I should probably try reading something like Harry Potter to improve my reading.

I'm currently refreshing my French on Duolingo. It is slow going, but i'm between jobs right now so i have the time to put in (30 minutes a day, or so)

I have a qualification as a TEFL teacher and can see that what Duolingo does very well is teach language chunks without frightening people with loads of explanations of grammar, and gives a LOT of repetition. I quite like their methods but if you only do Duolingo it will probably take a long time to get good enough to have an abstract conversation (rather than book tickets on a plane etc)

But blimey, if i have to put up with the conversation with Vikram when Priti puts salt in her coffee yet again I'm going to scream.

It depends what level you're at. You could get a GCSE-style textbook with audio. There are lots of YouTube channels - I've heard that 'Inner French' is good. My favourite way to learn was to listen to Audible Spanish versions of books I already knew really well in English, slowed down. A really fun way to learn. I started off by listening to a the Harry Potter books! I did it on the go, but if you have time to actually sit down and study, you can have the English copy of the book in front of you while you listen.

The one thing that drives me a bit mad about Duolingo is the lack of grammatical explanation. I have to go and look it all up for myself!

I'm only on day 80 but I'm keen to be able to use it so open to all ideas!

I just downloaded the app a little while ago to start learning Japanese.

So far it’s been pretty good; some useful phrases about ordering food, describing people, introducing yourself and a useful bit where you get to practice writing hiragana and katakana.

I certainly don’t expect to become fluent, or even close, but it’s a good starting point for pronunciation, and learning common words and phrases.

The game style of it is fun, but the ads are annoying. It’s way better than starting from scratch with a textbook.

I got the KS3 workbook and GCSE grammar guide. A visit or two is helpful as well!

@ZZGirl you could also have a look at Lawless French online.

And watch TV like Astrid: Murder in Paris on AllFour, or Call My Agent if you have Netflix. You won't grasp everything but it's good listening practice and gradually you will start to understand more and more. Depending on your level of French, use English or French subtitles. Once you're good enough, French subtitles are easier, strangely, because you're not translating all the time.

For reading, something like Le Petit Nicolas is amusing and not too daunting either in length or complexity. Or read the French version of a book you already know really well or have an English copy of, and don't stop to look up every single unfamiliar word as that'll drive you mad; just get the gist of the story.

And find France 24 online and watch the news. Presenters tend to speak clearly, it's repeated every half an hour or so, so you get another stab at understanding it .. and the pictures really help!