A shortcoming of these language learning apps is their over-reliance on structured lessons. While having a sense of organisation when preparing a language curriculum is beneficial, learners also need exposure to spontaneity.
By Michael Akuchie
Theresa Nikoro, a freelance UI/UX designer based in Lagos, has a long-held dream of visiting the coastal city of Málaga. She hopes to immerse herself in the city’s rich cultural offerings, including its museums, indulge in churros dipped in hot chocolate, and experience the vibrant nightlife.
To realise this dream, she embarked on a language learning journey with the goal of mastering Spanish within a few years while saving up for her trip to Southern Europe. Nikoro relies on Duolingo, an online platform that helps users develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills in a new language.
Seeing as the world is a multicultural space, with countries like Papua New Guinea (840 languages), Indonesia (711 languages), Nigeria (517 languages), India (456 languages), and the United States (328 languages) being among the most linguistically diverse, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is increasingly becoming a valuable asset.
The World Economic Forum corroborates this claim by adding that being multilingual is an added advantage in the international job market. “In a globalized economy, more businesses are expanding into international markets and employers increasingly want staff who can connect with customers in their own language. Listing a range of languages on your resume/CV will help you stand out from the competition for the job,” the article further stated.
After three years under the tutelage of Duolingo, Nikoro began to want more from the language learning application and saw that it could not provide the additional support she desired. During a phone interview, she stated that while the daily lessons and exercises were a great way to build consistency, she was disappointed by the limited opportunities for speaking practice.
According to the British digital educational platform, Future Learn, connecting with a native speaker of the foreign language you are studying to be proficient in can boost your chances of attaining fluency. Not being able to speak with a native speaker can greatly affect one’s chances of gaining a reasonable level of understanding of a new language.
Of course, if Nikoro had the extra funds for weekly in-person Spanish classes taught by a native speaker, her experience might be different. However, physical classes would introduce a new commitment into her already busy schedule, which is why she settled for Duolingo.
Like other language learning platforms, Duolingo offers the advantage of being accessible on the go. By downloading the app on your phone or tablet, you can continue your language lessons anywhere with a stable internet connection—whether on the bus, at home, or virtually anywhere.
Although convenience of use is a major advantage of Duolingo and the likes, the limited focus on speaking practice is a notable drawback. Mastering a new language involves not just understanding written and spoken content, but also interacting with other speakers.
“There’s no point in learning a language if you’re not using it. And speaking is the supreme act of using a language spontaneously”, says HomeSchool Spanish Academy. Engaging in conversation allows learners to identify and correct errors, improve pronunciation, build comprehension skills, and, most importantly, experience the language in its full form. By choosing to focus more on the reading, writing, and listening aspect of a language, many of these apps are neglecting a significant part of the process.
A shortcoming of these language learning apps is their over-reliance on structured lessons. While having a sense of organisation when preparing a language curriculum is beneficial, learners also need exposure to spontaneity. In real-life situations, such as when immersed in a foreign country, natives will speak freely and introduce words and expressions that may not be covered in structured lessons. And what is communication without the ability to understand the words being said to you?
Language learning on mobile is highly convenient and encourages consistency as the time spent on our phones daily has increased over the years. A Statista report expected the average daily time spent on smartphones in the US to reach 4 hours and 39 minutes in 2024. While smartphones are mini-computers, their screen and virtual keyboard sizes are extremely limited.
This can make it tough for learners to interact with complex language content compared to laptops which have larger screens and a wider keyboard. Additionally, attempting to master a new language can be fun but tricky when one has a full-time job coupled with other responsibilities. Distractions may arise, causing learners to skip a day or two from the course. Consistency is crucial for success in any field, so skipping days can hinder progress and dampen one’s learning journey.
To supplement the grammar, pronunciation, and spelling lessons taught by the apps, consider immersing yourself in the culture of the language you wish to master. For example, if your target language is French, consuming content rendered in French is a great way to absorb the culture.
This involves reading French novels, listening to French songs, listening to French podcasts, and setting your social media profiles to display words in French. These activities are entirely free, so there’s nothing to lose by incorporating them into your routine. Additionally, conversing with native speakers is another effective strategy.
While hiring a tutor might not be feasible for everyone, there are other alternatives. You could search for language clubs, whether virtual or physical, in your area and join them. Alternatively, consider participating in an online language exchange program where you can teach a French speaker English in return for them helping you with French. Platforms like Italki and Conversation Exchange are excellent options for this type of interaction.
You can also practice using role-playing exercises. For example, you might simulate being a customer at an Italian seafood restaurant, communicating your order to an Italian-speaking waiter. This approach places you in a real-world scenario, helping to build confidence and proficiency. For a more immersive experience, consider involving one or more of your language learning friends in the role-playing activity.
Although English has been established as a major language spoken and written across several continents, attaining fluency in multiple languages is a must-have. This rings true for tourists, entrepreneurs who visit different countries for business deals, and virtually everyone with an interest in a language aside from English.
Using an app to kickstart your learning journey is not a bad idea, especially when resources are limited. However, the aforementioned strategies can help complement the time spent with the app, thereby growing your speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in a foreign language to a decent level.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with four years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover image credit: Flentu