TESL 0150: Unit 4 Resource Review

Learning Technology: Duolingo

(Source: http://socialna-akademija.si/digitaleducationaltools/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/duolingo.jpg) 


What is it? Duolingo is a free language learning app that can be accessed through smart phones, tablets or PCs.  

How can I learn how to use it? In order to use this app, learners are required to create an account. From there, learners can choose to start learning from scratch, or take a proficiency test to place them at an appropriate level. The app itself is very user-friendly and quite easy to navigate, and tailors the lessons based upon the performance of the student, focusing especially on areas where they struggle.
 
Why do you like it? Duolingo incorporates listening, speaking, reading and writing skills into its lessons, through a variety of activities. Some examples of the activities include matching vocabulary, writing answers to listening questions, pronunciation practice, and sentence re-ordering.  In addition to this, Duolingo provides texting-based conversation practice with an AI partner on a variety of topics. Aside from the main app itself, Duolingo also provides podcasts, flashcards, and reading materials tailored to different learning levels to complement the lessons. As learners progress through the lessons, Duolingo incorporates ample opportunities for incremental review of previous material.

How do/can you use it with your students? Provide some examples. One of the great things about Duolingo is that it can be used either independently by students, or in a group that the teacher creates. As a group, the teacher can monitor the progress of the students as well as customize some of the content.

Are there any issues that teachers should consider in the application of technology?
The app offers English language lessons for most of the world’s major languages. However, if teaching in a multilingual classroom, this may pose a challenge for learners whose L1 is not offered through the app. As such, I feel that this app is better suited to a monolingual classroom, where the English lessons are offered in the student’s L1.


Here is a link to the Duolingo website: https://www.duolingo.com/

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