Duolingo

Title: Duolingo

Bibliographic information:

Creator: Duolingo, Inc.

• First Published: November, 2012
• Language: English

Reader's Annotation:  Level up your language learning! This fun and interesting game teaches some of the most popular languages out there, in a game format

Interest Level: Ages 6-9+

Awards, if applicable: N/A

Play summary: When you first open up Duolingo, you can select what language you wish to learn.  Then a skill tree appears.  Most of the screen is grey, with the available units in color.  When you select a unit, there are multiple lessons within that unit. You have a certain number of hearts - if you can complete a lesson without running out of hearts, that lesson is considered done and you can advance to the next one.  After completing all of the units in the level, you can advance to the next level.  Completing lessons successfully can result in earning lingots - in-game currency which can be used to buy outfits for your avatar, additional lives and additional lessons.

Critical review:

Research shows that game play is one of the most effective ways to learn.  This app takes those gameplay elements and couples them with top-notch voice and sound technology, and fundamental language learning.  While this app doesn’t cover the elements of traditional grammar, it builds confidence and vocabulary in an entertaining way.

Why include it?This is one of the most popular language learning games out there - it is approachable to children who have learned how to read, but it also can maintain interest for older people.  It is easy to use, and it is fun.