Fact Check: Is Duolingo good?

Is Duolingo Good? A Detailed Examination

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny is whether Duolingo, a popular language-learning app, is effective for users seeking to learn new languages. This question has garnered attention from educators, learners, and language enthusiasts alike, prompting various studies and reviews to evaluate the app's efficacy.

What We Know

1. Efficacy Studies: Research conducted by Kessler et al. (2023) and Loewen et al. (2019, 2020) indicates that Duolingo can be effective in developing language skills, although comparisons with other platforms like Babbel suggest varying results based on user engagement and the specific language being learned 1.

2. User Feedback: A survey reported on Duolingo's official efficacy page indicates that a significant majority of educators believe the app is effective and would recommend it to learners 3. However, the specifics of this survey, including sample size and demographics, are not detailed, which raises questions about its representativeness.

3. Personal Reviews: Various personal reviews, such as those from The Atlas Heart and Growing Global Citizens, highlight positive experiences with vocabulary acquisition and the app's accessibility due to its free model 47. However, these reviews are anecdotal and may not reflect the experiences of all users.

4. Critical Reviews: PCMag rated Duolingo highly, citing its innovative approach and user-friendly design 6. Yet, such ratings can be subjective and may not account for long-term language retention or fluency.

5. Methodological Concerns: The studies referenced often focus on short-term outcomes, such as vocabulary retention or initial engagement, rather than long-term language proficiency. This raises questions about the sustainability of learning through the app 13.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding Duolingo's effectiveness is mixed and warrants a critical examination of the sources:

• Academic Studies: The studies cited 1 provide a scientific basis for evaluating Duolingo's effectiveness but may have limitations in terms of sample size and scope. For instance, the focus on university students may not represent the broader population of language learners, including casual users or those learning independently.

• Official Reports: Duolingo's own efficacy reports 35 present a positive view of the app, but as these are produced by the company itself, they may be subject to bias. Independent verification of these claims would strengthen their credibility.

• Personal Reviews: While personal experiences can offer valuable insights, they are inherently subjective. Reviews from platforms like The Atlas Heart and Growing Global Citizens 47 may reflect individual preferences rather than universal truths about the app's effectiveness.

• Critical Reviews: Publications like PCMag provide a more structured evaluation, but their ratings can be influenced by the reviewers' biases and the criteria used for assessment 6.

• Missing Context: Additional information that would be helpful includes longitudinal studies that track users over time to assess long-term retention and fluency, as well as comparative studies that evaluate Duolingo against other language-learning platforms in a controlled environment.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Duolingo is effective for language learning is partially true based on the evidence reviewed. Studies indicate that the app can help users develop language skills, particularly in vocabulary acquisition, but the effectiveness varies significantly depending on user engagement, the specific language being learned, and the context of use.

While many educators and users report positive experiences, the lack of detailed demographic information in surveys and the anecdotal nature of personal reviews limit the generalizability of these findings. Furthermore, the focus on short-term outcomes in existing studies raises questions about the app's ability to support long-term language retention and fluency.

It is important to acknowledge that the evidence is not definitive, and further independent research is needed to fully assess Duolingo's effectiveness across diverse user populations and learning contexts. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider their own learning preferences and goals when using language-learning tools like Duolingo.

Sources

1. Kessler, G., Loewen, S., et al. "The effectiveness of Duolingo in developing receptive and productive ...". ScholarSpace
2. "Listening". Wikipedia
3. "Duolingo Efficacy Studies". Duolingo
4. "My HONEST Duolingo Review [2025]: Worth the Time?". The Atlas Heart
5. "Duolingo Efficacy Studies". Duolingo
6. "Duolingo Review". PCMag
7. "Is Duolingo Effective? My Personal Review as a Language ...". Growing Global Citizens
8. "Duolingo Review — Can It Help You Speak A Language?". StudyFrenchSpanish
9. "Duolingo Review: how to use Duolingo in 2023". Multilingual Mastery
10. "Duolingo Review: How It Changed in 2023?". Lingomee