this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
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Fuck AI
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was duolingo ever actually good for language learning tho...?
I feel like people constantly shit on Duolingo and other things like it, especially compared to other forms of language study like full classes, immersing yourself in that language via cultural exports (movies, TV shows, books, etc.), or interacting with people that speak that language.
But I think that's kinda missing the point — Duo and other programs structured like it offer a way to learn a decent chunk of a language without a lot of effort. If you put in a bit of time every day or so and take things at least a little seriously, my understanding is that you can learn a lot. Maybe you won't be truly fluent, and certainly you won't learn as much as you would with intensive self-structured learning or classes at a university, but it takes way less effort and is far more approachable.
That being said, definitely look somewhere else now that Duolingo is using AI.
Apart from the basic learning at the beginning when I didn’t knew anything it is helpful to grasp some basic things and see if I wanted to invest more time and resources.
Now my current method to learn is with proper classes and use Anki to solidify the material I’ve been taught.
Duolingo’s only purpose right now is to learn some new vocabulary and to not lose practice, the friend streaks, and the friend quest is what even in the days that I’m totally unmotivated forces me to not abandon practicing.
I would love to move elsewhere but I’ll lost the only thing that helps me to keep on focus.