DUOLINGO GETS BOTH GAMIFICATION AND LEARNING DESIGN RIGHT

DUOLINGO GETS BOTH GAMIFICATION AND LEARNING DESIGN RIGHT

Good gamification enhances the experience of learning something, while at the same time advancing you towards your goals. Duolingo gets this bang on...

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on twitter
Share on email

DUOLINGO GETS BOTH GAMIFICATION AND LEARNING DESIGN RIGHT

We were collecting examples for a gamification webinar we conducted last September, and I was intrigued to know about Duolingo, the gamified language learning app. I downloaded the app immediately, but though it listed over 20 languages, there was none that I specifically wanted to learn. The intrigue intensified as I read about its features and rave reviews, but at that point, I had no time to experience the app by learning a new language, so I went ahead and delivered the webinar, citing Duolingo as an example of gamification done right. I gathered this much from users and gamification experts alike.

But Duolingo remained at the back of my mind. Recently I came across an article which cited a research finding that the “brain networks had become better integrated, which means they’re more flexible and allows for faster and more efficient learning”. This caught my attention. Who doesn’t like to become smarter, better integrated etc. :)? So I decided to check it out.

I wasn’t particularly interested in any of the languages on offer (by the way, did I mention that Duolingo is entirely free?), so I randomly chose Spanish. English, of course, remained my source language, the language through which I would be learning Spanish.

And here’s what I experienced:

When you start, you get to decide on your goals – the amount of work you want to put in everyday; choosing from:

  • Casual (10 XP per day)
  • Regular (20 XP per day)
  • Serious (30 XP per day)
  • Insane (50 XP per day)

(XP, or experience points, are awarded to you for completing lessons.) I chose casual, which meant I would have to spend 5-10 minutes a day, completing a single lesson each day.

When you reach your goal a few days in a row, you get a streak, which you have to work to maintain. For example, if you miss a couple of days’ lessons, your streak goes down. Streak basically refers to your knowledge of words in that lesson, and if you don’t keep up, it means you are forgetting those words, therefore your streak weakens to indicate that. Makes perfect sense. Did I hear someone say forgetting curve :)?

Duolingo sends regular reminders to meet your daily goal, encouraging you to reach longer learning streaks. These reminders are fun and personalized, suggesting what you will be learning next, and motivating you to keep practicing.

As you complete lessons and gain XP, you level up, earning lingots. Lingot is a virtual currency that allows you to buy various things from a store, right from dressing up your owl (the Duolingo mascot), to power ups and extra lessons. Currently none of these ‘items on display’ sound interesting to me, so I haven’t ventured into any shopping as yet.

Progress indicators are all over the place in Duolingo. The lessons are arranged based on a virtual skill tree, and keep coloring as you advance. Within each lesson, you get to see how many more questions you have to answer, as well as how many you got right in a row.

I haven’t practiced for more than a week now, and here’s what my progress looks like.

Duolingo is highly social. You can comment on and discuss specific questions from lessons, and get answers from others in the community. I’ve found this feature to be especially useful, in the absence of ‘why this works the way it works’ explanations from Duolingo.

You can add friends from your networks, and have a leaderboard comparing your score (XP) with theirs. You can also see what they’ve been up to, including their latest comments, who they are following and who is following them, as well as levels gained.

Cross a certain level, and you get a badge, which you can share on your social network. For the record, I’m 7% fluent in Spanish as I’m writing this post.

A much-touted feature is the Immersion area, which asks you to translate some text in a collaborative space, thereby helping you practice your language skills even more, and awarding you XP incentives for participation and contribution.

The lessons themselves are designed really well. No theory, no grammar rules, just a multi-modal learning system which uses visual and auditory cues to help you learn new words.

You start on the lower end of a skill tree, learning really simple words first, and then naturally and effortlessly progress towards more complex terms and constructs.

Repetition, a huge factor for success of any learning, language learning especially, has been used very effectively in Duolingo. Words and phrases you learned in Lesson 1 reappear in Lesson 3, in newer avatars, and in new constructs. Unconsciously you begin internalizing them.

Having said all that, the app is not without its flaws. My biggest gripe, from a learning design perspective, is the blatant implausibility of distractors. Many a time, the correct answer is a dead giveaway, either due to the construct, or some silly reason like punctuation. Check out the screenshot below.

  1. Looking at the choices, I’m pretty sure the sentence has to start with ‘No’ because that is the only word which is in title case. (In this case, the word is obvious, in others, it’s not.)
  2. When I’ve dragged four words to form a sentence, it’s way too obvious that the fifth word is ‘cook’, since that is the only verb, amongst the remaining options.

But despite such shortcomings, Duolingo is one fantastic language learning experience, neatly wrapped in a ‘gamified’ package. I hope and crave for more learning experiences to be designed so well.

¡Buen trabajo Duolingo! ¡Seguid así!

Written by Srividya Kumar

(Co-Founder at Learnnovators)

_________________________________


(Visited 1,640 times, 1 visits today)

More To Explore

Promoting Mental Health And Wellbeing - Learnnovators
E-Learning

Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing Through L&D Initiatives

Mental health is fundamental to a thriving workplace, yet it often gets overlooked in favor of business priorities. Learning and Development (L&D) can play a pivotal role in creating a supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to manage their mental wellbeing. By normalizing mental health conversations, equipping managers with empathy-driven leadership skills, and integrating wellbeing practices into everyday learning, organizations can create a culture of resilience. Prioritizing mental health through L&D initiatives not only enhances employee engagement and trust but also drives long-term organizational success by ensuring a healthier, more motivated workforce.

How to Create Inclusive Learning Programs for Diverse Teams_Learnnovators
E-Learning

How to Create Inclusive Learning Programs for Diverse Teams

Creating truly inclusive learning programs means designing opportunities that empower every team member, regardless of background, abilities, or learning preferences. By offering flexible content formats, ensuring accessibility, and representing diverse voices, organizations can make learning more engaging and equitable. Encouraging open dialogue strengthens collaboration and understanding, while continuous feedback helps refine and adapt programs to evolving needs. Inclusion isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported in their growth. This post explores key strategies to build learning experiences that drive meaningful impact across diverse teams.

Gamified Learning For The Workplace
E-Learning

Gamified Learning for the Workplace: Transforming Employee Training

Gamified learning is reshaping workplace training by integrating game mechanics—such as points, leaderboards, and rewards—into learning programs. This approach boosts engagement, enhances retention, and drives measurable results, making training more interactive and effective. From sales and compliance to leadership development, gamification adapts to various training needs while fostering collaboration and motivation. By leveraging technology and data-driven strategies, organizations can create impactful learning experiences. Learnnovators specializes in custom gamified learning solutions designed to align with business goals and optimize employee development. Ready to transform your training? Partner with Learnnovators to create immersive and results-driven learning programs.

Future-Ready Skills_Learnnovators
E-Learning

Future-Ready Skills: Preparing Your Workforce for Technological Change

Technological change is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, making it essential for organizations to equip their teams with future-ready skills. This blog explores strategies to bridge the skills gap, from understanding emerging technologies like AI and automation to conducting skills audits that identify key competencies. It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning through upskilling, reskilling, and nurturing digital literacy paired with problem-solving. Scenario-based learning and a growth mindset further empower teams to navigate challenges with adaptability and confidence. Preparing your workforce today ensures they are ready to embrace tomorrow’s opportunities, driving both individual and organizational success.

Storytelling-in-Learning_Learnnovators
E-Learning

Harnessing The Power of Storytelling in Learning

Storytelling is a powerful tool in learning, transforming information into meaningful experiences. By embedding lessons in real-world scenarios, storytelling bridges the gap between theory and practice, making content relatable and engaging. It taps into emotions, driving retention and inspiring action, while motivating individuals to adopt new behaviors. Incorporating storytelling into learning programs can be achieved through authentic scenarios, relatable personas, and multimedia elements, creating immersive journeys where participants actively engage with their growth. In L&D, storytelling isn’t just an art – it’s a strategy to inspire change and make learning unforgettable.

Upskilling vs. Reskilling
E-Learning

Upskilling vs. Reskilling: Preparing Your Workforce For The Future

Upskilling and Reskilling are essential strategies for preparing your workforce for the future. Upskilling hones employees’ existing skills to stay competitive in their current roles, while Reskilling equips them for entirely new roles, addressing the impact of automation and changing business needs. Both approaches ensure adaptability and innovation, helping organizations stay ahead of industry trends. By assessing skills gaps and nurturing a culture of growth, businesses can empower their teams to thrive. Investing in Upskilling and Reskilling isn’t just about staying relevant—it’s about building a resilient and future-ready workforce.

REQUEST DEMO