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My Journey to Becoming a Polyglot!

 

Learning a new language with Duolingo App
Originally posted on Youtube by Jacqui Davis Moranti


Learning a new language is an exciting and rewarding journey that opens doors to new cultures, opportunities, and connections. Whether you're learning for travel, work, or personal growth, choosing the right method can make all the difference! In this article, we’ll explore three popular methods for learning a new language, including the widely-used app (and my favorite) Duolingo. Each method has its strengths, and the best approach often depends on your learning style, goals, and schedule.

1. Immersive Learning

What is Immersive Learning? Immersive learning involves surrounding yourself with the language you’re trying to learn. This could mean living in a country where the language is spoken, attending language immersion programs/ classes, or creating an immersive environment at home such as listening to podcasts in the language, music, tv shows, etc. The goal is to use the language in real-life contexts as much as possible.

Living in a country where the language is spoken forces you to use it daily for tasks like ordering food, asking for directions, or making friends. As a native Spanish speaker, I love traveling to Spanish speaking countries to expand my dialect and communications. When I spent a summer in Spain many years ago, I learned a lot of the local colorful language that I still carry with me today, Que vacano! Watching movies, listening to music, reading books, and following social media personalities in the target language also o helped me quite a bit! Here are a few pieces of content that I devoured while learning Portuguese....

Coffee Break Portuguese Podcast

Brazilianing- Brazilian Portuguese Podcast

LinguaBoost Brazilian Portuguese Podcast

Love is Blind- Brazil (Helped me with the local chat! Listen in Portuguese with the subtitles too)

Pros:

- Accelerates fluency by forcing you to think and respond in the target language.  

- Improves listening and speaking skills through real-world practice.  

- Helps you learn cultural nuances and colloquial expressions.  

Cons:

- Can be intimidating for beginners.  

- Requires time, effort, and sometimes financial investment (e.g., travel).  

- May not be feasible for everyone due to location or lifestyle constraints.  


2. Structured Classroom Learning

What is Classroom Learning?

Classroom learning involves taking formal language classes, either in person or online, with a structured curriculum and a teacher guiding the process. This method is often used in schools, universities, and language institutes.

Enrolling in a course and/or signing up for a language class at a local institution or online platform like Coursera, Udemy, or a physical language school. By following a taught curriculum you learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation through lessons, exercises, and homework. Getting live feedback and guidance from a teacher or tutor is priceless! Classroom learning is great for those who prefer a structured approach, need accountability, or want to learn in a social setting with peers. It helped my process a lot faster! Heres the class that I used for live in session Portuguese learning...

PortuguesePod101.com  (You can join for free and then sign up for classes)

Pros:

- Provides a clear structure and progression.  

- Offers personalized feedback and support from instructors.  

- Encourages accountability through assignments and tests.  

Cons:

- Can be expensive, depending on the course or institution.  

- May move at a pace that’s too fast or slow for some learners.  

- Less flexibility compared to self-paced methods.  


3. Duolingo: Gamified Language Learning

What is Duolingo?  

Duolingo is a free language-learning app that uses gamification to make learning fun and engaging. With over 40 languages available, it’s one of the most popular tools for beginners and casual learners. It is my literal favorite app to log in to because not only is it teaching me something and expanding my knowledge but it also helped me take my mind off of stress. Here's how it works...

- Daily Lessons: Complete bite-sized lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.  

- Gamification: Earn points, unlock levels, and compete with friends to stay motivated.  

- Adaptive Learning: The app adjusts to your skill level and provides personalized practice. 

Duolingo is perfect for beginners, casual learners, or anyone looking to supplement their language learning with a fun, low-pressure app. It’s also great for people with busy schedules who want to learn on the go!

Pros:

- Free to use (with optional paid features, personally love the AI role play).  

- Convenient and accessible on mobile devices.  

- Fun and engaging, making it easy to build a daily habit.  

Cons: 

- Limited depth for advanced learners.  

- Focuses more on vocabulary and grammar than conversational skills.  

- May not provide enough cultural context.  


Which method do you think you should choose? I believe the best method for learning a new language depends on your goals, preferences, and resources. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

- Choose immersive learning if you want to achieve fluency quickly and are willing to immerse yourself in the language.

- Choose Classroom Learning if you prefer a structured approach with guidance from a teacher.

- Choose Duolingo if you’re looking for a fun, flexible, and low-cost way to start learning a new language.


For the absolute best results, consider combining these methods. Learning a new language is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and the right tools. Whether you dive into immersive learning, enroll in a classroom course, or use Duolingo to gamify your progress, the key is to stay motivated and enjoy the process. For me learning Portuguese makes it a third language for me as Spanish and English are native for me. While I wouldn't call my level of Portuguese fluent, I would say proficient or should I say proficiente

Remember, every small step brings you closer to fluency. Happy learning! 

             


xoxo, Jacqui

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Thanks for the sweet whispers! XO