Chapter 1: My Language Learning Journey

I have been on a quest to learn Swedish for quite some time now. Throughout this journey, I have experimented with various resources including apps, books, and other educational materials like Babbel, Rosetta Stone, LingQ, and PONS language courses, as well as engaging with language crime stories.

These experiences have ranged from utter frustration to a mild sense of accomplishment. Despite the varied approaches, I eventually found myself giving up, either due to boredom or an inability to keep pace with the material.

However, there’s one language learning app that stands out in my experience: Duolingo. After utilizing it for 100 days, I feel compelled to share my insights. This app is accessible on smartphones and has a browser version, though the two differ slightly in features. I primarily use the free browser-based version but have also experimented with the mobile app. One limitation of the mobile version is that it restricts the number of consecutive lessons, although it does include pronunciation exercises, which are absent in the browser version.

Upon accessing the browser version, you first select the language you wish to learn, create an account, and complete a brief placement test.

Nonetheless, there is a minor challenge when selecting your language. For instance, if you choose “German” as the site language, your options narrow to just four languages. Conversely, selecting “English” opens up a choice of 39 languages, with Swedish only available when paired with English.

Once the placement test is finished, you can dive into the lessons.

What excites me about this app are several advantages:

• Each lesson starts with a brief summary of the key concepts, which you can read, print, or skip in favor of practice.
• Lessons are structured in six levels with gradually increasing difficulty.
• Progressing to the next level earns you “lingots.” While you might not always have enough, you can gradually accumulate them to reach the sixth level, known as “Legendary.”
• The program trains listening, writing, and translation skills, reinforcing grammar through repetition.
• Lessons build upon one another, ensuring that previously learned grammar is revisited.
• The app provides statistics on your learning progress:
  • It tracks your learning streak (days without interruption).
  • You earn experience points (XPs) with each unit completed.
  • You can set daily goals and monitor your achievements.
  • Periodic progress quizzes are available.
  • A weekly summary shows your learning time.

Motivation is bolstered by the desire to maintain your streak. Although I might not mind losing it, the daily reminders encourage me to engage in at least one session.

Additionally, there are opportunities to join affordable or free meetups/classes for speaking practice, although I haven't participated yet. There is also a Discord group for sharing experiences with fellow learners. Best of all, it's free! While the Plus version has appealing features, they aren't essential for effective learning (e.g., Streak repair, more frequent progress quizzes).

Chapter 2: Weighing the Pros and Cons

The first video titled "How to Learn Any Language SUPER FAST! (My 3-Month Plan)" dives into effective strategies for accelerating language acquisition.

Despite these advantages, there are some downsides.

The vocabulary is introduced gradually, and I feel there could be a broader range of words. For instance, the “Animals” lesson included just a limited selection: ant, spider, elephant, moose, mouse, fish, reindeer, turtle, bird, bear, dog, cat, and wolf.

Another limitation is the restricted language options for those who don’t speak English. As a native German speaker, the combination of English and Swedish isn't ideal since the grammar and vocabulary of Swedish are often closer to German. However, I can simultaneously enhance my English skills while learning Swedish.

Despite these drawbacks, the advantages of using Duolingo significantly outweigh the negatives, and I intend to continue my learning journey with it.

Have you tried Duolingo? I would love to hear about your experiences!

The second video titled "How I Learn Languages Fast (I speak 7+)" shares personal tips and techniques from an experienced polyglot.