For subscribers
How a little green owl taught me French… up to a point
A good app can make learning fun, but a great teacher can take it to the next level
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Duolingo makes language learning a real pleasure, granting a welcome reprieve from the frenzy of everyday life, says the writer.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH
Follow topic:
If I told you that I have been actively learning French for exactly 1,891 days, you’d probably applaud me for my commitment and perseverance. But the fact that I haven’t fallen off the French bandwagon after five long years is hardly due to my passion for the language, inherent discipline or cast-iron will.
Nay, I credit my persistence to a pesky little green owl named Duo – mascot for the language learning app Duolingo. Powered by brilliant technological design that is informed by cognitive science and learning analytics, Duo and his team of animated characters prod and pester you into learning, every single day.
