How To Use Duolingo Effectively

Summary

In this video, Jackson from Let's Languages shares tips on how to use Duolingo effectively for language learning. He emphasizes that Duolingo alone won't lead to fluency, as it lacks real-world practice and a variety of language styles. Jackson advises using Duolingo daily in small doses to build the habit of language learning and progressing through its main storyline quickly. He suggests complementing Duolingo with other tools for learning and practice. The key is to expose yourself to diverse language content, build consistency, and integrate language learning into daily life for long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Duolingo is not enough to achieve fluency in a language; it must be supplemented with other learning strategies.
• 😀 Relying solely on Duolingo is like practicing basketball against one opponent; it doesn't prepare you for real-world challenges.
• 😀 Duolingo teaches formal language that may not match how people speak in real life, including slang, accents, and informal speech.
• 😀 Using Duolingo exclusively won’t teach you regional nuances or informal conversational skills.
• 😀 Consistency is key: using Duolingo for short, daily sessions is more effective than long, infrequent ones.
• 😀 The optimal frequency for Duolingo use is two lessons per day: one in the morning and one in the evening.
• 😀 Duolingo is not meant to teach you specific words or phrases; it’s meant to build the habit of thinking in the target language every day.
• 😀 Marginal daily gains from Duolingo add up over time, similar to how small daily physical exercises lead to long-term improvement.
• 😀 Don't get stuck revisiting previous lessons or using the 'practice' feature. Move forward in the course to experience more variety.
• 😀 Duolingo is best used on a computer to avoid interruptions like the 'lives' feature on mobile, which limits learning progress.
• 😀 The goal with Duolingo is not to memorize specific vocabulary but to absorb the language passively through daily exposure.

Q & A

Why can't Duolingo alone help you achieve fluency in a language?

Duolingo focuses on sentence construction and formal language, but it doesn't teach essential skills like using slang, having real conversations, or understanding informal and regional variations of a language. To become fluent, you need to combine Duolingo with other strategies like immersion, speaking practice, and listening to native speakers.

How does the basketball player analogy explain the limitations of Duolingo?

Just like a basketball player practicing only one-on-one against the same opponent, Duolingo teaches specific language skills but doesn't expose you to the full range of real-world language use. This means that while you may get good at constructing sentences, you'll struggle when faced with real conversations or unfamiliar situations.

What is the problem with Duolingo’s focus on formal written language?

Duolingo teaches a very formal written language, but in reality, language includes various styles—informal, academic, and slang. These different registers are crucial for real-world communication, which Duolingo doesn't adequately cover.

Why is it important to practice spoken language alongside Duolingo?

Spoken language is trickier than written language because people naturally speak differently depending on their accent and style. Duolingo's focus on writing and formal speech doesn't expose you to the nuances of spoken language, making it essential to supplement your learning with real conversations and listening practice.

How much time should you spend on Duolingo each day?

It's not about the amount of time, but about consistency. Jackson recommends doing two lessons per day—one in the morning and one in the evening. The goal is to practice daily, which helps reinforce the habit of thinking in the language.

Why is it more effective to practice a language every day for a short period rather than infrequently for longer periods?

Consistent, small daily practices lead to greater long-term progress. Just like with exercise, doing a little bit every day yields better results than doing an intense workout once in a while. This principle is supported by James Clear’s idea of 'marginal gains' from his book 'Atomic Habits'.

What does it mean to get your mind into 'language mode' and why is it important?

Getting your mind into 'language mode' means thinking and processing information in the target language regularly. This is important because it helps you build automaticity in using the language and makes it easier to recall words and phrases in real-life situations.

Why should you avoid over-practicing specific lessons in Duolingo?

Duolingo is designed for broad exposure rather than deep study. If you keep revisiting specific lessons, you miss out on the opportunity to encounter more varied content that better prepares you for real-world language use. The goal is to progress through the storyline quickly and experience as much diversity in language as possible.

What is the 'practice tab' in Duolingo, and why should you avoid using it?

The 'practice tab' in Duolingo is designed for reviewing previously learned lessons. However, Jackson suggests that you should avoid it because it encourages repetitive practice of specific material rather than helping you progress through new content. Focusing on the main storyline allows you to experience a broader variety of language and improve your overall fluency.

Why is it recommended to use Duolingo on a computer rather than on a mobile device?

Using Duolingo on a computer eliminates the frustration of the app’s 'life system', which limits the number of lessons you can complete on the mobile version. On a computer, you can practice without running out of lives, allowing you to focus on progressing through lessons.