Duolingo is a free online tool which works via PC or mobile device (via browser or mobile-specific apps) and supports learners in learning a language of their choice from a range of languages available.

What does it do?

Duolingo combines game based learning with online rewards systems of points and milestones to encourage and chart progress with goal setting, and your choice of topics to suit your needs.
Text, images and audio are included with tasks, broken into small steps to make learning fun through manageable chunks of activity which build on learning as you progress. text which appears have clickable links to definitions and audio which helps reassure learners when they feel that need.

Learners can use the beginning activities in the system without creating an account. However by creating an account the progress can be recorded and development made to activities which build on previously learned words and phrases.

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Why is it useful?

While individuals can work on this without needing to be grouped together as a class there is now the facility for a teacher of a class to support their learners and provide further feedback through being able to track progress using Duolingo for Schools – this lets teachers either set up their class for their pupils from scratch, or collate existing accounts which learners may already have been using.

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How does it work?

Here’s a YouTube video on getting started with Duolingo for Schools.

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Where can you learn more about Duolingo?

Below is a YouTube video of a full length seminar from Joe Dale on Duolingo for Schools.