Is Duolingo Good For French?

Q: Can Duolingo get you to B2 in French?

The Duolingo application must be complemented by another method of learning French to reach the B2 level.

Q: What type of French does Duolingo teach you?

Duolingo teaches a standard, international form of French. It covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation useful for both beginners and intermediate learners.

Christine Robert

I’m a retired 65 years old and I live in western Paris. Born in Alsace, I have always lived in this beautiful region of eastern France. Passionate about travel, culture and literature. Find me on Linkedin.

Bonjour les amis,

One of my grandsons used Duolingo to prepare his school trip to Italy.

I discovered with him this strange way of learning a foreign language for a senior like me.

And I asked myself if is it good for learning French?

As usual I weighed the pros and cons… but in my own way!

— Christine

5 questions/answers to get to know duolingo quickly

What’s it?

a free language-learning platform that has revolutionized the way people learn new languages developed in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker.

how many languages can I learn?

More than 40. It’s amazing!!!

What learning principles?

a gamification model : combines learning with entertaining and engaging activities.

Each language course is structured into thematic modules with a series of lessons that include listening, reading, writing, and speaking exercises.

You earn experience points (XP) and virtual rewards for completing lessons, maintaining streaks, and achieving daily goals, which motivates you to keep learning consistently.

a repetition system: reinforces learned material by strategically reintroducing vocabulary and grammatical concepts at intervals.

This method is proven to enhance long-term retention and helps learners commit new information to memory more effectively.

Which media to use it?

You can take duolingo wherever you want. You can use it on any digital device: computer, mobile phone or tablet.

how much does it cost?

Duolingo’s basic version is entirely free. That’s uncredible!

So, in my mind this application offers you a fun, engaging, and accessible way to acquire new linguistic skills.

And read on to see why I think it’s good for learning french… or any other language of course.

But let’s be chauvinistic!

my 7 personal reasons to use duolingo for French

1. “Oui, Oui, une Baguette s’il-vous-plait”

It will help you master the art of French “clichés”. So you can confidently order a baguette in a bakery 🙂

2. Sound Like a Sophisticated Frog

Impress your friends and family with your newfound ability to croak out “Bonjour” and “Merci” with a perfect French accent.

3. Find Your Inner “Ratatouille”

Unleash your inner Remy, the culinary genius rat from Ratatouille, as you learn the proper pronunciation and meaning of “haute cuisine” dishes.

Soon, you’ll be able to decipher French menus and casually order “Coq au Vin” without breaking a sweat.

To learn cooking vocabulary: Extract from “Ratatouile” 2007 – Pixar Animation Studios

4. Experience the “Joie de Vivre”

You’ll not only learn French but also absorb the essence of the French lifestyle.

Embrace the art of leisurely strolls, lengthy meals, and conversations that last well into the night.

5. Woo Your Amour with French Flair

Win the heart of your crush by whispering sweet nothings in French, the language of love.

After all, there’s nothing more romantic than serenading your sweetheart with a passionate rendition of “La Vie en Rose” while gazing into their eyes.

6. No More Lost in Translation

Breeze through your favorite French films and read literature without subtitles or translations.

You’ll laugh, cry, and swoon as you finally understand those witty French puns and romantic declarations of love.

7. Diplomatic Immunity

Should you ever find yourself in a sticky situation with a French-speaking official like a policeman, your mastery of the language will allow you to charm your way out of trouble.

After all, who can resist the allure of a well-spoken foreigner?

Source photo: ministère de l’interieur

In short, you will have understood, this application will bring you a lot of vocabulary and the possibility to exchange easily when you arrive in France as a tourist for example.

The app’s game-like approach to learning has made it a popular choice for millions of language enthusiasts worldwide.

5 more serious reasons to learn French in a different way

1. Limited Depth of Language Instruction

Duolingo offers you an engaging and accessible introduction to the French language.

If you want to become an advanced learner, this approach to language teaching may not offer the necessary depth and global understanding of French.

The app primarily focuses on vocabulary and basic grammar. It may not be sufficient for those seeking to achieve fluency or a higher level of mastery in French.

2. Lack of Human Interaction

In my opinion, One of the key aspects of language learning is engaging in authentic conversations with native speakers.

With Duolingo, being a digital platform, you haven’t opportunities for real-time, face-to-face interactions with French speakers.

This limitation may hinder the development of essential communication skills: accurate pronunciation, proper intonation, the ability to navigate various social and cultural contexts.

3. Inadequate Focus on Cultural Nuances

Duolingo may not offer an in-depth understanding of the cultural nuances and traditions specific to different French-speaking regions.

Language and culture are inherently intertwined, and a comprehensive language learning experience should include a more profound exploration of the cultural aspects of the target language.

4. Insufficient Customization for Individual Learning Needs

Duolingo employs adaptive learning technology to tailor its lessons to users’ proficiency levels.

You, as a learner, may need more personalized instructiond, feedbacks and supports.

5. Reliance on Translation Exercises

Duolingo’s primary teaching method involves translating phrases and sentences between the target language and the user’s native language.

With this single approach, you risk developing a lack of intuitive understanding of the French language.

The direct translations offered by the application may inhibit your natural thought process of French.

And if your native language is significantly different from French in terms of structure and syntax, the duolingo method may not be effective for you.

conclusion

Use this fun application to familiarize yourself with the French language and to help you get by if you arrive in France.

But try to complement this learning with other means such as more traditional courses, frequent interactions with other people or maybe using other applications.