Duolingo: What is it, and how can you use it for learning?

Duolingo: What is it, and how can you use it for learning?

Duolingo: What is it, and how can you use it for learning?

In this overview of Duolingo, you will learn what Duolingo is and how this language-learning platform works. The article explains its key features, including the many languages offered by the app, as well as the difference between the free and paid versions. You will also learn how gamification helps motivate users, along with some details about the famous mascot, Duo. Additionally, the article presents the pros and cons of Duolingo and provides a conclusion on who will benefit most from using this app.

What is Duolingo?

Duolingo is a language-learning platform that allows users to learn a new language in a fun and interactive way. The platform is available as a mobile app and via a web browser, and it is known for its game-like elements that motivate users to keep learning.

How does Duolingo work?

Duolingo offers small, interactive lessons that combine writing, speaking, and listening activities. Users can learn new vocabulary and grammar structures using a step-by-step approach. The lessons are short, making it easy to use the app daily, while gamification features like points, lives, and streaks help keep users engaged.

Hvad er dansk? Lær det hos UCplus. Brug Duolingo som supplement til læring.

Two students are studying Danish at UCplus Danish.

What languages can you learn?

Duolingo offers a wide range of languages. Some of the most popular include:

  • Danish
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German

Additionally, Duolingo also offers less common languages like Irish, Welsh, Esperanto, and even fictional languages like “High Valyrian” from Game of Thrones.

Free and paid versions

Duolingo is free to use, which makes it accessible to people all over the world. For those who want an ad-free experience or the ability to download lessons for offline use, there is a paid version called Duolingo Super (formerly Duolingo Plus). The paid version also offers extra features such as more hearts (lives) and better progress statistics.

Motivational features and gamification

One thing that makes Duolingo unique is its use of gamification to motivate users. This includes:

  • Streaks: Users build a “streak” by practicing daily, which motivates them to be consistent.
  • XP and Levels: For each completed lesson, users earn XP (experience points), which allows them to level up.
  • Leaderboard: Users can compete against friends or other users to achieve higher rankings on the leaderboards.

The mascot duo

Duolingo features an iconic green owl mascot named Duo, who plays an important role in motivating users. Duo provides reminders and encouragement, which has sometimes led to popular and humorous memes about how persistent Duo can be when reminding users to complete their daily lesson.

Who can use Duolingo?

Duolingo is designed for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to those who already have some knowledge of a language and want to improve their skills. The simple user interface and short lessons make it easy for both children and adults to get started.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Free to use.
  • Easy to use with motivating gamification features.
  • Available in many languages.
  • Short daily lessons that fit into a busy schedule.

Cons:

  • Limited depth in grammar and conversation skills.
  • Not always a replacement for traditional learning methods, as it may lack deeper cultural understanding and speaking practice.

Using Duolingo for Danish and Other Languages

Duolingo is an excellent platform for those who want to start learning a new language in a fun and low-pressure way. With its intuitive approach and the many languages it offers, it’s a great tool for building basic language understanding, though you may need additional resources to achieve fluency.

Ready for the PD3 exam after just 1.5 years of online Danish lessons with UCplus

Ready for the PD3 exam after just 1.5 years of online Danish lessons with UCplus

Ready for the PD3 exam after just 1.5 years of online Danish lessons with UCplus

Jan Lierz fell in love with Denmark during a family vacation to Jutland in 2018. He wanted to return and chose Aarhus University for his master’s degree. He also wanted to learn Danish and opted for online lessons with UCplus as this gives him flexibility to balance his university studies. After just 1.5 years of lessons, he is now preparing for the PD3 exam.

Anna kursist

Jan Lierz wanted to learn Danish and opted for online lessons with UCplus as this gives him flexibility in relation to his university studies.

Start Danish lessons as soon as possible

Originally from Düsseldorf, Germany, Jan Lierz holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In August 2021, he started his master’s degree in Information Management at Aarhus BSS (Aarhus University – School of Business and Social Science), while also beginning online Danish lessons with UCplus.

“I knew Danes were good at speaking English. But I wanted to be able to communicate without English. So, for me, it was important to learn Danish. And it was important that I started learning the language as quickly as possible.”

Online lessons and daily practice

Jan chose online learning because it was easy to combine with his studies during the day. He found Danish and German to be similar, so reading Danish was not too difficult. Pronunciation, on the other hand, can be a bit of a challenge, but attending lessons helped.

“Our lessons always start with each of us speaking a bit, like telling what we did over the weekend. And it really helps that we speak in all the lessons.”

But Jan was also determined to use Danish outside of lessons.

“When I go grocery shopping, I always try to speak Danish. I say, ‘I’m not from Denmark, I’d like to practice my Danish.’”

Song lyrics and daily conversations

English is spoken a lot at the university, so Jan has been looking for ways to speak Danish. For example, he applied for student jobs and became a student assistant at a large auditing firm in Aarhus, where he speaks Danish with his colleagues.

At home, he listens to Danish podcasts like ‘Danish Coffee Break’ and Danish music from artists such as Peter Sommer and Thomas Helmig, who are also from Aarhus.

Jan has enjoyed studying in Aarhus, both because of the student life and the city’s location by the sea. He is very fond of Denmark, because he thinks it is an exciting country with a lot of good ideas, and he particularly likes Danish architecture and interior design.

He would like to stay, so in addition to preparing for PD3 and completing his university studies, Jan is also writing job applications to Danish companies.

We wish Jan the best of luck with both the PD3 exam and his job search!

Learn Danish with UCplus

UCplus offers the three official Danish Language Courses that provide access to official exams and a good start in Denmark. The courses are offered at three levels, each consisting of six modules. You will be offered the level that fits your years of schooling and qualifications.

Would you like to learn Danish online? Read more and sign up here.

Cookies