Duolingo vs. Speaking

I have a problem with Duolingo. Do you?

I used Duolingo myself and I fully recognise its benefits:

it’s free

all you need to learn is a phone (no books, no paper or pen needed)

The two points above are lifesavers for many people.

it promotes some less popular and artificial languages.

But:

Let’s talk about the most popular language learning app, Duolingo, and speaking a foreign language.

In our school, AL DENTE. Scuola d'italiano we teach not only complete beginners. If a person already has some experience with the Italian language, we organise a short conversation with our methodology specialist and suggest the best level for the student.

Many people who contact us, study with Duolingo—for months, if not years.

Not a single person out of these candidates could join a course that was more advanced than a month's study (4 lessons) with us. Because we concentrate on communication and teach speaking.

Duolingo students know some random words and phrases, but their level is no problem at all.

The problem is the approach to a foreign language they have learnt on Duolingo.

As human beings, we are vulnerable to approval. And Duolingo approves when you translate exactly what they asked you to translate.

I see many Duolingo user in our courses, concentrating on faithful translation of a sentence they have in their head rather than communicating the idea.

Communication in a foreign language, especially when we are beginners, is about conveying the idea, and your message, as effectively as you can.

It’s not about translating into a foreign language your thoughts in your native language.

To communicate effectively at A1 or A2 level, when your vocabulary is limited, you need to be able to:

• simplify

• give examples

• try different ways of saying what you mean.

The worst thing, stressful and counterproductive, is stopping because you can’t find the exact word you need to say something you have in your head.

Let’s say you want to invite your Italian friend to the cinema.

The sentence you could use in English could be:

Would you like to go to the movies with me?

What is your goal here? Is it a translation? Finding the Italian equivalent of would (good luck)? No. The goal is: knowing if your friend will go to the cinema with you. And saying what you mean with ANY Italian words available to you.

Andiamo al cinema?

And what if you just say:

Cinema?

I’m sure your friend will understand. Goal reached! No perfect translation. No translation at all!

Instead, if you stopped at “would” with the English translation, you would probably never ask.

This is my main problem with Duolingo.

As a teacher, I always tried to teach my students to communicate effectively. The apps based on translation make you concentrate on the wrong thing: on exact words, not on the message. This is a huge problem with Duolingo (and all translation-based apps) I see in my work.

Of course, I’m curious to know about your experience with Duolingo and speaking!