4 YEARS of Japanese Duolingo - What I learned

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience with Duolingo's Japanese course after studying it for over 1,500 days. While Duolingo serves as a helpful supplement for consistent revision, the creator highlights its limitations in teaching concepts and emphasizes the need for independent study. The script also explores alternative methods like flashcards, textbooks, and immersion for more effective learning. Despite its flaws, Duolingo remains a useful tool for keeping a study streak alive and practicing language skills, though fluency requires a more holistic approach. The creator reflects on the rewarding journey of learning Japanese and offers personal insights for others considering the platform.

Takeaways

• 😀 Duolingo is a good tool for consistent language revision, but not for in-depth learning of Japanese grammar or kanji.
• 😀 Duolingo's main strength lies in helping learners stay committed with its gamified approach and visual progress tracking.
• 😀 It’s recommended to use Duolingo as a supplement to other resources like textbooks, flashcards, and speaking groups for comprehensive learning.
• 😀 Learning Japanese through Duolingo without any prior knowledge of hiragana or katakana can make it more difficult for beginners.
• 😀 Duolingo used to have helpful features like notes and discussion forums, but they have since been removed, making the platform less effective for beginners.
• 😀 For better results with Duolingo, it’s advised to already know hiragana, katakana, and some basic concepts like politeness levels and verb tenses.
• 😀 Duolingo is effective for reinforcing vocabulary and phrases but does not offer structured lessons or in-depth explanations.
• 😀 While maintaining a streak on Duolingo can be motivating, it can also lead to burnout and pressure, especially when focusing on quantity over quality.
• 😀 The journey of learning a language, including Japanese, is long and requires consistent effort, regardless of the method used.
• 😀 Despite Duolingo’s limitations, it played a part in helping the speaker understand Japanese during a trip to Japan, demonstrating the value of self-study and immersion.
• 😀 Duolingo is a great tool to get started with Japanese or maintain a basic understanding, but fluency requires additional study methods and immersion experiences.

Q & A

What is the main strength of Duolingo in learning Japanese?

Duolingo’s main strength is its ability to help learners maintain consistent study habits. It’s great for regular revision and keeps track of progress in reading, writing, and listening skills.

Can Duolingo be used as the sole method for learning Japanese?

No, Duolingo should not be used as the sole method for learning Japanese. It is best used as a supplement to other study methods like textbooks, online classes, and immersion for grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills.

How does Duolingo help with consistency in language learning?

Duolingo helps with consistency by gamifying the learning process, tracking your streaks, and encouraging you to study daily, even if it’s just one lesson. This helps learners stay on track with their studies.

What are the drawbacks of using Duolingo for learning Japanese?

One of the main drawbacks is that Duolingo lacks a clear lesson structure and doesn’t explain grammar concepts well. It also teaches Hiragana and Katakana out of context, which can make it harder for beginners to grasp the characters properly.

Why is it recommended to learn Hiragana and Katakana before using Duolingo?

Learning Hiragana and Katakana beforehand helps make Duolingo more effective since the app doesn't provide context for these characters. Having a solid foundation allows you to focus on reinforcement rather than basic character recognition.

What did Duolingo remove that impacted its effectiveness for learners?

Duolingo removed helpful features like lesson notes and discussion forums. These were useful for breaking down lessons and asking questions, which made the learning experience more interactive and informative.

How did the speaker maintain their Duolingo streak for over 1,500 days?

The speaker maintained their streak by completing at least one lesson a day, often in the morning or before bed, ensuring they didn’t miss a single day. They would do the minimum required to keep the streak alive.

What advice is given for managing Duolingo’s ‘streak culture’?

The advice is to not stress too much about keeping the streak alive. While it can motivate consistent study, focusing on meaningful learning rather than just completing lessons for the sake of the streak is crucial.

What did the speaker use alongside Duolingo to enhance their Japanese learning?

The speaker used Anki for vocabulary flashcards, Kanji Garden for kanji practice, and incorporated self-study methods such as repetition and memorization to complement Duolingo.

How did Duolingo contribute to the speaker’s experience in Japan?

Duolingo helped the speaker understand and communicate better in Japan, especially with reading signs and conversing with locals. It made the trip more rewarding and allowed the speaker to connect with people in a more meaningful way.