If you’ve ever wanted to learn a new language and increase your vocabulary, a great way to do so is with an app called Duolingo. You can use it on iPhone, Android, and via your online browser. They make the app and web portal easy to navigate, and there are 81 different language courses to choose from across 37 languages (including High Valyrian and Klingon!). The app has about 300 million registered users around the world and is free to use.
I’ve gone through the French and Spanish lessons on the app but haven’t fully completed the lessons enough to become fluent. I have expanded my Spanish vocabulary beyond “hola,” “adios,” and “cerveza, por favor,” but I wouldn’t consider myself conversational in Spanish yet. I am now able to pick out the words when listening to or reading in Spanish, however. Perhaps with more practice and language immersion, I can get a little further along in my learning.
Duolingo makes learning fun by making the lessons into a game with a goal of completing different levels, and you earn badges and “lingots,” an in-game currency that can be spent on features like character customizations and bonus levels. You can also display your stats on a public leaderboard where you can compete against friends or see how you compare to the rest of the world. With the goal-oriented nature of learning, it makes the game enjoyable, and you don’t feel like you’re being forced to learn.
DaH chay’ app ghaytan SoHvaD vISov! (That’s Klingon for “let us know how you like the app!”)
