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Learning Italian App - Duolingo not cutting it

15 replies

TheNaughtyDaughter · 12/01/2026 17:57

I’m learning Italian on Doulingo but it’s annoying. The childish cartoons and showering me with gold coins is silly.

It’s also a bit slow, going over everything again and again.

Any other recommendations for an app or learning Italian ?

OP posts:
ThreeSixtyTwo · 12/01/2026 18:26

You can turn off effects in Duolingo - haptics, motivation messages, celebratory sounds.

And, you can speed run - I always go through the first two exercises and than do skip section test.

SisterMaryLuke · 12/01/2026 18:36

I've just started with Coffee Break Italian which I am enjoying. It is paid for and you can repeat each lesson as many times as you want/need.

Holdonforsummer · 12/01/2026 18:49

I think Babbel is better: moves much faster and you choose grammar modules etc.

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SPQRomanus · 12/01/2026 18:55

Go to actual classes run by the council or the local university.

TheNaughtyDaughter · 12/01/2026 19:37

SPQRomanus · 12/01/2026 18:55

Go to actual classes run by the council or the local university.

I live in the countryside and don't have time to commute to Italian lessons.

OP posts:
TheNaughtyDaughter · 12/01/2026 19:38

ThreeSixtyTwo · 12/01/2026 18:26

You can turn off effects in Duolingo - haptics, motivation messages, celebratory sounds.

And, you can speed run - I always go through the first two exercises and than do skip section test.

The other thing though is that I have been doing it for 2 weeks and I am still on ordering a coffee and saying hello, I already speak a fair bit of Spanish and so think I can pick it up quite quickly.

OP posts:
GrumpyInsomniac · 12/01/2026 19:40

I always recommend Busuu, which actually aims to give proper grounding in grammar. They’ve also done studies to prove that their method works - I was part of one and have free premium membership for life as a result. I would still be happy to pay for it if I needed or wanted to learn a new language, though, and it’s been brilliant to support my Japanese lessons.

But everyone learns differently, so it’s worth trialling a few. I can probably get a code for 30 days of premium on Busuu for you. Just DM if that’s of interest :)

TroysMammy · 12/01/2026 19:40

I tried to learn conversationaI Italian in college and a classmate said he used Memrise to help.

ThreeSixtyTwo · 12/01/2026 19:50

TheNaughtyDaughter · 12/01/2026 19:38

The other thing though is that I have been doing it for 2 weeks and I am still on ordering a coffee and saying hello, I already speak a fair bit of Spanish and so think I can pick it up quite quickly.

You can skip more than one unit at once.

Of course there can be better apps, but skipping forward and getting back to previous units on legendary level allows me to manage the progression and remain interested

TonTonMacoute · 13/01/2026 17:40

Memrise is much better than Duolingo.

oldsainsburysbag · 13/01/2026 18:28

I learnt Arabic with the Michel Thomas course and thought it was a very good method. It was mentally challenging and engaging and very well planned in terms of teaching the grammar. It’s a unique method as you are learning alongside real students like in a small class. They do Italian courses.

Wavingnotdowning · 23/02/2026 20:44

I found that Duolingo wasn't enough. I used a brilliant free site called conversationexchange which matches you someone in Italy. I now have a wonfderful friend and my Italian has really improved. I also joined an online course run by CityLit which has also been amazing. Buona Fortuna xx

Italianasoitis · 23/02/2026 20:47

There is an AI app called Talkpal and its really good.

TheBlueKoala · 23/02/2026 20:48

I'm learning with my son who has chosen Italian in school. It's perfect- he revises and I learn. Italiano mi piace!

beAsensible1 · 23/02/2026 20:49

TheNaughtyDaughter · 12/01/2026 19:37

I live in the countryside and don't have time to commute to Italian lessons.

try italki you can get lessons from actual speakers and engage in conversation. online, you dont have to commute. you can't really learn the language properly without hearing it in conversation and responding back

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