DUOLINGO: MORE TIME TO LEARN

*This post is sponsored by Duolingo, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I am so happy that I am partnering with Duolingo for this post because as you guys know, learning a new language has been one of my goals for 2020 as I mentioned back in January in this post that I wanted to be fluent in Spanish by the end of the year. I can proudly say that I have been taking  taking 30 minutes of short lessons every day for the past four months and I am loving the process!

For those of you who are not familiar, Duolingo is a free language learning app with more than 300 million learners worldwide. There are over 35 languages available and Duolingo makes learning fun as it’s built to feel like playing a game. You can also go at your own pace and can access the platform on both your laptop and your phone. The lessons are relatively short and you can always pause and go back to it if you want. As a result, Duolingo makes it easy to fit learning into your schedule and it doesn’t seem like a chore!

Since we all have more time at home right now, this is the perfect opportunity to start learning a new language or brush up on a language that you already know. Many of us have more time on our hands now and there’s no harm in learning a new language. As a frequent traveler, I am always intrigued by different cultures, but more importantly different languages. The thought of being able to communicate with others in a new language is fascinating to me and is enough to keep me learning!

I had a basic knowledge of Spanish because I learned it when I was in high school. However, I knew I could improve on my vocabulary and I wanted to familiarize myself with common phrases and questions. As some of you guys might know, I went to Tulum and Barcelona in February and it was the perfect way to test my skills since I started Duolingo since January. Not only can I tell that my vocabulary has increased but I felt more comfortable speaking with natives and not feeling embarrassed, which is an understandable fear that some of us might have when learning a new language. A few waiters even complimented me on my Spanish speaking skills and that made me happy and even more motivated to continue learning! I mentioned that I was taking lessons on Duolingo and they all also responded that it’s a good way to learn a new language.

You can also make learning fun by encouraging your friends, family or roommates to also try Duolingo. My roommate is currently also learning Spanish and it’s fun for us to talk to each other in Spanish because I find that the most important part is practice and consistency! I also love that the activities on Duolingo includes all aspects of a language including speaking, writing, and listening. The interface of the app is very user friendly and I used it when I was commuting and traveling. However, now that I spend most of my days at home, I tend to use my laptop as I also like to take notes. There is also a Duolingo stories feature on the app, which are short stories that tests your reading and listening skills. No matter which method you choose to use Duolingo, the effectiveness of learning a new language does not change!

Another tip I would advise is to also choose some shows on Netflix and watch them in Spanish and have English subtitles. Since we are spending more time at home, I think it’s great to combine what you’re already doing like Netflix and chill (which is totally okay!) with learning a new language by watching shows in that specific language with English subtitles. I am a huge fan of Money Heist and Eilte on Netflix and both shows are from Spain. It has also made me want to explore more shows/ movies that are Spanish, so I can absorb more of that language as it trains my brain to listen, read and eventually comprehend what the characters are saying.

Another feature that I love on Duolingo is that there is also a forum associated with each lesson so I love interacting with others on the platform. If you are confused about a specific topic or exercise, there is usually another user who is just as confused but there are also users who participate and help to clarify the rules and grammar. It doesn’t seem like you are learning on your own because there is a community and network that are doing the same! Duolingo also sends you notifications/ emails as reminders to learn and I truly feel like the platform is not only my teacher, but also a cheerleader. I have been on an endless streak as I haven’t missed a day of learning on Duolingo and that in itself is a great way to keep me on track.

Everyone can Duolingo!  It’s extremely easy to get started, so if you have been thinking of learning a new language or looking to fill up some of your downtime at home, then download the free app Duolingo and let me know which language you are currently learning!