Almost 2 years of using Duolingo, German, here. At this point, I can understand the very basics and even less when it comes to speaking.
Here's what I learned about duo
- Good to get you started on the language
- It's very good at keeping you engaged initially
- Hard to remember everything so at some point you find it hard to understand the new lessons. There's a language deficit that eventually catches up with you.
- It's not bad to get you started but long term it's not the best way to learn.
If I had to do it again:
-I'd say use it for a few months while it keeps you engaged(6months?) along with a system where you are forced to speak it. Like the Pimsleur system.
- Find someone to speak it with on a regular basis as soon as possible.
- Continue with Pimsleur and dump Duo.
- Immerse your self with the media in the Language you are trying to learn.
The absolute fact is that you can never be fluent in a language unless you speak it on a regular basis so move towards it ASAP.
There's no substitute for determination. Eventually, you just have to fight the feeling of wanting to quit once it gets difficult. By the way, wanting to quit is a sign that you are about to take a major step forward if you can fight through it and move forward.
Here's what I learned about duo
- Good to get you started on the language
- It's very good at keeping you engaged initially
- Hard to remember everything so at some point you find it hard to understand the new lessons. There's a language deficit that eventually catches up with you.
- It's not bad to get you started but long term it's not the best way to learn.
If I had to do it again:
-I'd say use it for a few months while it keeps you engaged(6months?) along with a system where you are forced to speak it. Like the Pimsleur system.
- Find someone to speak it with on a regular basis as soon as possible.
- Continue with Pimsleur and dump Duo.
- Immerse your self with the media in the Language you are trying to learn.
The absolute fact is that you can never be fluent in a language unless you speak it on a regular basis so move towards it ASAP.
There's no substitute for determination. Eventually, you just have to fight the feeling of wanting to quit once it gets difficult. By the way, wanting to quit is a sign that you are about to take a major step forward if you can fight through it and move forward.