500 days of Duolingo: what can (and cannot) learn from a language application (published in 2019) (2023)

If the mobile languageLearn applicationsBelieving that it was never so easy to obtain a different language.

Applications likeDuolingoGiftsMemrise, EChatEveryone promises to teach them how to read, write or speak a new language of the phone. Although they are similar in the concept, they differ greatly in special resources:

• Duolingo offers a capacity of lessons in which auditory exercises, flight cards and multiple choice questions are used to pierce new words, phrases and phrases. Most questions have a comment in which users have a specific question in detailIt can also be discussed.The service also has functions of the community with which you can combine with others that learn the same language as them.

• Memrise offers fewer lessons such as Duolingo and presents new words and phrases with flashes, auditory exercise and more. However, the application has some unique functions: you can use new words (called "me") with all writing helps remember the new wordor the new prayer. This will be shown later when he returns to the word. Decir and demonstrate the expression. For example, a void door can tremble if he describes the cold weather. This helps combine words with its meaning. It also offers explanatory cardsWhen Duolingo offers the introduction of new or complex issues.

• Babbel differs from the other two. During their multiple choice or similar auditory exercises, such as others, it is shown in examples of conversations how to use new words or phrases when speaking with another person. Who can return the words during an exercise instead of writingor answer a multiple choice question? This helps you learn to pronounce correct or at least correct words so that your phone recognizes what you say.

Despite their differences, they have the same objective: to use daily exercises on their phone to teach a complete language. It is a tempting promise, especially if it is not yet immersing in a cultural or educational system that offers the exhibition you need to collect aSecond language. Are you effective?

After accumulating a Duolingo series of more than 500 days, a service that thanks to the application of the applicationNotoriously persistent memoriesNow I have defined my self -esteem.I found myself in a better place to judge how much you can really teach them an application. The short answer is that you can definitely learnnoneThings of an application, but if you want a language, or even a conversation partner, it will not be enough.

Language applications are ideal for writing basic systems and phrases

The expression "Language Learning" is reduced by deceiving.Color syntax and grammar indicate to speakers, since they can structure these words correctly in a sentence. Then there is the writing system that is the visual representation of words or noise that allow the construction of words (for example, the systemof writing is the alphabet).

For languages with a different writing system, such as Japanese, Russian or Korean.A new writing system, while Babbel continues to explanation of lessons for the operation of new symbols or noise.

After a few weeks or months, when it always goes through the lessons, it is possibleFront, but this is only part of the learning of a language. Pretending the alphabet used in English does not naturally mean that it can understand French or Spanish, for example.

These applications can also teach betterBasic conversation phrasesThis is useful when you are on the way. It is necessary that these phrases in a different language are a quick and dirty way of doing the job, but this is not really "learning" from prayers, but it is only memorized.

For example, see the Italian phrase "Dov'è il bagno?" This phrase means "Where is the bath?" Not mentioning the Italian, can you say what part of this phrase is "bath"? You could adapt the prayer,say: "Where is the door?" Or "Where is the hotel?" Spring applications not only teach whole phrases. This means that the components interrupt parts of a sentence and teach some different variations for you to understand, whatthat you say and what you say can adapt based on your situation. It is a useful ability to have, especially when traveling.

However, the most important thing is that these applications are powerful memories of the fact that learning a new language is not a job in part. Duolingo has famous notifications that they return every day and draw this delicious green bird. The disadvantage is that it canBeing tempting to play the experience instead of really learning. Remember the first lessons in particular, just to maintain my important series. What leads to another important lesson: the rules for a self -service project do not harm anyone but.

What language applications can't you teach?

As useful to learn as a new writing system or understand basic phrases, it is only a small part of the language. What is considered "fluid" is a difficult concept, but describes it, but theCommon European reference structure for languages(or CEFF) is a generalized pattern to address the liquid.

The six CEFF values are necessarily wide and can overlap a little, but here is a brief vision of what everyone means:

• At level A1, students must know basic phrases, imagine and ask simple personal questions and understand basic interactions if the conversation partner speaks slowly. The A2 level includes understanding common expressions, communication in routine tasks and the description of aspectsSimple of the background of the background. JOINS, THESE TWO LEVELS FORM THE BASIC LEVEL.

• Level B1 begins to explain more complex ideas, such as explaining your opinions, dreams and ambitions or with complex tasks.

• Finally, a level C1 level door should be able to communicate flexibly in social, professionals and academic environments to understand a variety of topics and recognize the implicit meaning.C2, the highest level, hopes that the student "practically everything, thanmay be listening or reading "and information from different sources. Levels C1 and C2 form the competent level.

If it is not yet obvious, language applications simply cannot accept someone or somewhere nearby, themselves.person if only adheres to class plans in each application.

Some applications also have difficulties in teaching complex grammar. In Japanese, "particles" are the small example of central parts of a sentence that indicates how words are related to a sentence.That words are written with spell, similar to "a" a letter and a word for them, that can be confused, since the Japanese do not use rooms between words and symbols.

The duolingo usually only releases a new particle without explaining what it does or is a particle.External lessons, an instructor or the best of all native speakers to explain some of the most refined points of a language grammar.

Language applications should also fight in a language with some of the unidentified aspects of communication.different levels of formality and courtesyDetermine the form of a word based on your relationship with the person you should speak with.

In addition, body language and attitude can have a dramatic influence on how their language is perceived, and language applications tend not to treat it., a conversation fluid without a generalWhat certain gestures mean, or what actions are rude.

However, the most important thing is that language applications are not others., you will never give fluency. Or according to the CEF model, it will not even be halfway.

Only for this reason, learning a language with an application should be a starting point, not the end. Act, or want to find a native speaker with which he can practice.