By admin Nowadays, many alternatives make it easier to learn English alone at home or in person at a training school. We can find face-to-face institutions, online sites specialized in language teaching, or applications with different levels of teaching. In this article, we will talk more specifically about Duolingo, an application for learning English that has conquered the world thanks to the number of tools it uses in its short lessons. What are the features of this application? What is it for? Is it effective for learning English? Is it as complete as Papora, or rather a learning supplement? Discover the answers to your questions here.
What is Duolingo and what is it used for?
Duolingo is a free online language-learning app. It works through the process of self-learning and offers its learners leveled lessons to help them acquire vocabulary and improve their communication skills.
The project was created by Guatemalan professor Luis Von Ahn, known for having sold some companies to Google, with Severin Hacker, an outstanding graduate student, who focused on designing intuitive and didactic courses.
In addition to having a desktop version or a website, Duolingo has an app for Windows Phone, iOS, and Android devices. In other words, it is available for a wide variety of operating systems.
It is important to highlight that it has a mode called “language incubator”, in which any member of the community can collaborate in building a course. The only requirements are that it be bilingual, to determine the language and the native speakers to whom it is addressed.
What is the Duolingo method?
The Duolingo method is simple: watch the lessons step by step and learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation mainly by translating sentences, transcribing what you can hear, and repeating statements.
Once the user completes each lesson, he earns experience points (XP) to purchase other units or additional features. Remember that if you make mistakes, you will lose your benefits.
The modules are organized by themes and exercises where you will be tested on what you have learned. Your mastery of each unit is displayed on a graph that you will have the opportunity to compare, if you wish, with other participants.
Duolingo works as an additional resource to practice the language you want to master, however, it is much better that you enroll in a more complete course that will teach you and safely guarantee you everything you will need to learn.
How many languages does Duolingo teach?
Duolingo is one of the most downloaded educational apps in the world for the variety of languages it teaches, with over 100 courses in more than 40 languages.
53% of users study English, mainly in Latin America and the Middle East. 17% choose Spanish, especially in countries like Norway and the United States. 11% choose French, especially in Africa and Nigeria.
How does it work?
To start learning languages on Duolingo, the first thing you need to do is download the app, sign up, and log in. You’ll be asked for some personal information like your name and email address.
After this step, you will choose the language you want to learn and your native language. You will also have to take a test to assess your level and choose a daily study goal. Duolingo lessons are like a game in which you can progress by level.
You can learn languages with the platform completely free of charge. However, there is also a premium subscription called Super Duolingo with additional favorable features for paid learners.
How much does Duolingo cost?
Super Duolingo is the paid version of Duolingo, which costs around $7.50 per month depending on the country you are in. However, there is an annual and family plan that allows you to reduce the investment.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Duolingo
Before signing up for Duolingo and starting to learn English from home, you should know its advantages and disadvantages. This will allow you to make a good decision and determine if it is the right application for you or, on the contrary, if it does not meet your expectations.
The main advantage of this application is that it allows you to learn from anywhere thanks to an easy-to-use system and a fun methodology that aims to teach vocabulary and pronunciation. Apart from that, its basic functions are free.
Although Duolingo is well-rated, it is also relevant to mention its drawbacks. One of them is the repetition of exercises, which quickly bores users. In addition, it lacks teachers who can solve your doubts in a personalized way.
Looking for a better option Papora
Papora is an English learning platform that stands out for using the most effective and modern methods on the market. Thanks to the structure of its course, focused on the daily use of the language, you will be able to speak with confidence from the first day and you will feel like you are in a game.
The exercises are dynamic, fun, and effective, so you will learn all aspects of the language like telling the time in English almost without realizing it.
The content has been designed by expert native teachers who want to ensure that you develop all the pillars of the language successfully, so you will be guaranteed high-quality, interactive teaching that adapts to your needs and your pace of life.
Whether you want to learn English at home, in the office, or in a café, at Papora there are no schedules or external pressures, it is available 24/7 for its users.
Another great advantage is that you can repeat the lessons as many times as you want to practice or simply to clarify your doubts. At the end of the training, you will receive a certificate to prove your level of English and validate your knowledge anywhere in the world.
Unlike Duolingo, Papora is a site that promotes a comprehensive education and recognizes the best ways to learn English. That’s why it also offers private or group online English lessons so you can achieve your English language goals.