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Blue_Bird
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Smile Sep 15, 2019 at 12:23 PM
  #1
Anyone use duolingo to learn other languages? I took Italian in college, but it was only available one semester so now I've been using Duolingo and several textbooks and guides I've bought over the years. My goal is to also learn Spanish and Japanese

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Default Sep 16, 2019 at 02:21 AM
  #2
I have not come by 'duolingo' myself but I do currently have a French-language book and CD on my desk. I can be a slow learner sometimes, so I have paced myself till Christmas on my French.

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Default Sep 16, 2019 at 02:36 AM
  #3
I used it some time, but eventually I got bored (maybe I should try it again). What it worked for me the most are the apps that allow language exchange.
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Default Sep 20, 2019 at 12:05 AM
  #4
It can be useful to learn some basic phrases, but it's impossible to actually learn a language from an app or textbook. Yes, I mean you CAN learn many things. However, in order to master it and remember long term, you need interaction with a real human being. That's how our brain learns. It's been found in research that children don't really learn a language by simply watching videos in the foreign language. They need someone to talk to them and interact with them. Yes, adults can memorize lists of vocab and grammar rules, but in the end, they still need human contact and feedback.
There are websites that offer online group classes, such as lingoda and others taught by teachers. There are many sites where you can book a chat with a native speaker. If you want to save money study with duolingo and watching videos on yt, but I would strongly recommend having a real chat from time to time or finding a native penpal. You can join tons of Spanish fb groups according to your interests... You'll read and hear real language there. Apps and textbooks are very limited in their use of language.

When you watch videos, try to find ones that talk about actual subjects instead of teaching you lists of vocab. For example, I watch English videos about my hobbies and I'm active on English forums like this one. That's where I've learned most of my English.

I do watch yt videos where they teach lists of vocab and grammar rules, but I rarely remember anything long term. It's only when I encounter one of those new words in a real situation/meaningful context when it enters my long term memory.

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Default Sep 20, 2019 at 02:22 AM
  #5
Yes, I've used DuoLingo. I like it. Good luck!
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Default Sep 20, 2019 at 04:41 AM
  #6
There's this website I used and seems to work Conversation Exchange - Language learning with native speakersI used it for learning Spanish. I don't like Duolingo. Totally random phrases that are not high-frequency words or phrases one would casually use in a conversation.
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Default Sep 20, 2019 at 09:48 AM
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I agree with seeker33 about language learning. Ultimately, you need lessons (or exposure) with live people. I have played around with Duolingo, but it was only slightly helpful. I don't think that method is effective. It's fun, but that's its main purpose.

About four or five months ago, I was taking private French lessons with a native Parisian, but I quit. My level is probably Intermediate, though I needed some reminders about elementary grammar rules. As far as vocabulary knowledge, I'm a bit more advanced. My husband wants to possibly move to France in a few years. Before then, I will join group lessons at a local French language school. I should really study for at least a full year to become fluent enough for my comfort, preferably two. I had studied French for five years in my youth, but that was almost 30 years ago. My husband studied French for almost 10 years, but again, that was decades ago.

In my senior year of high school, I studied a year of Mandarin Chinese. Then I continued studying Chinese all four years of college, and for almost one year in Taiwan. I also took one semester of German, though I forget most of the little German I learned. I also speak a tiny bit of Czech, because my husband is a native Czech from Prague. However, my Czech is sort of limited in scope and I definitely haven't mastered any of the grammar, which is severely difficult.

I once started to study a bit of Spanish and Portuguese, but stopped very soon after. I remember only a few hands full of words and phrases in those languages.
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Default Sep 21, 2019 at 12:54 AM
  #8
I never intended to give the idea that duolingo was a way to master a language, I've taken Italian in college and plan on taking more courses on it as well. I just meant as ways to brush up, there was a lot of social interaction and speaking in the language during my classes and I plan on continuing lessons

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Default Sep 21, 2019 at 12:56 AM
  #9
Also I'm Italian and have family members that speak fluently so if I need a lot of practice I have ways to do that in addition to the college classes

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Default Sep 21, 2019 at 01:04 AM
  #10
My experience includes when learning a foreign language I can listen and understand quite a bit sometimes or can read a newspaper and understand quite a bit, but speaking more than the basics with ordering in a restaurant, asking people their age, saying hello, how are you is almost the extent of it, but I’m quiet in my native language. Did live in a foreign country for a few years and it was fun to go to local stores and use what I knew of the language. It helps that a lot of people, especially younger adults and teens knew English.
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Default Sep 21, 2019 at 01:51 AM
  #11
Yes, I use it too. I loved it. I'm currently learning German because I'm planning to take further education in German. I've used it for around three months. Aside of Duolingo, I also use Memrise. But I prefer Duolingo since they offer more free courses.
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