Parents' Guide to

Duolingo

By Leslie Crenna, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Plentiful, fun, fantastic, and free language lessons.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Chromebook Paid, Free Education
Duolingo Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Duolingo: Learn Languages Free App: Screenshot #1
  • Duolingo: Learn Languages Free App: Screenshot #2
  • Duolingo: Learn Languages Free App: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 13 parent reviews

im actually a child hi L.
im actually a child hi L. Parent
December 27, 2023
age 5+

Huh

As long as they can read I don't see anything wrong with a language learning game? (I use it)
lol_avery_101
lol_avery_101 Adult
March 31, 2016
age 10+

Amazing

My child has this game and the only word that should worry you is wine. It is an highly educational game as well as entertaining to her and her friends. Since she has had this app she is obsessed with learning about unique languages.
See all 13 parent reviews

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Data profiles are created and used for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

DUOLINGO: LEARN LANGUAGES FREE packs lots of language learning into an easy-to-grasp mind-map layout. After email registration and a quick but detailed level selection, English-speaking kids can select from a list of languages -- including Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and French -- while speakers of these languages (plus Romanian, Turkish, and Polish) can select English (though instructions are still partially in English).

Lessons ask kids to type or select translations for missing words, select a picture to match a word, or listen and type translations. Themes cover basics, phrases, animals, transportation, sports, money, and much more. Feedback is immediate; kids will hear a happy "ding-dong" sound for correct answers. Incorrect answers are followed by a low tone, an x, and, the correct answer. Mini-lessons and hints pop up at appropriate learning moments. You can navigate freely within four groups of themes but must complete the whole group before moving to the next. Kids also can choose to test out when they feel confident about a particular theme.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13 ):
Kids say (45 ):

Duolingo: Learn Languages Free is truly a fantastic app, packing many European languages plus English and full-sentence learning into an easy-to-grasp visual map. Many themes, immediate and gentle feedback, mini-lesson pop-ups, and hints at just the right moment make for a consistent and meaningful experience. Kids will stay motivated despite the lack of games partly because they can compete with other users anonymously or find friends via email. Kids also can switch to any of the other languages at any time and still maintain their progress in the one they've left.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the process of learning a language and do it together. Learn a language along with your kid and compete on the app, and then challenge each other to keep up a conversation in real life.

  • Watch a film in the language your kids are studying. See how much they can pick up, and then turn on subtitles to check their skills.

App Details

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