What’s your APPtitude? Want to become multilingual? Try Duolingo
By Amanda Merriman
Nothing can inspire you more than watching the next generation learn a valuable skill. After listening to my children talk about learning Spanish at school, I found myself wanting to improve my Spanish skills. After a quick search in the App store, I found what I was looking for in Duolingo.
Duolingo offers courses in a variety of languages such as Spanish, French and Russian just to name a few. The thing that stands out the most while using the app is all the different instructional methods that are used. During the lessons, I practiced reading, writing, listening and speaking Spanish. Plus, learning sessions are short and sweet – a great thing since free time is a luxury for me. The sessions are brilliantly set up to operate like a game, making them fun and addictive to move through. My favorite activity is the conversation section, where I can practice my Spanish skills in guided topics with “bots.” The format definitely kept me motivated to continue learning and was very easy to use. I was also happy that I could take a placement test before I started since I did take three years of Spanish during my school years.
The amazing thing about Duolingo is that it is completely free. According to Duolingo’s website, 34 hours with their app is equivalent to a college semester’s worth of knowledge. All accomplished from the convenience of your device in your free time. Now, becoming fluent in a language still requires a lot of dedication, but Duolingo makes it a lot easier to stick with it by emailing you reminders to complete your lessons. Plus, you earn points as you successfully complete lessons, giving you a sense of accomplishment. There is even an option to learn with your friends, which can help motivate you as well.
Whether you want to learn a new language for an upcoming trip, a resolution or just want to brush up on your skills, Duolingo is a fun way to do so. Visit www.duolingo.com for more information or to download the app on your Android or iOS device.
