How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish With Duolingo?
Comprehensive guide about learning Spanish with Duolingo, including how long it takes, and what to expect
Thinking about learning Spanish with Duolingo? Some folks choose the Duolingo app for a fun way to pick up the language. It’s all gamified and the lessons are in bite-sized chunks, so you can complete lessons whenever. But, how long does it really take to become fluent in Spanish? Well, that depends on how much you’ve dabbled in languages before, how often you practice, and how you like to learn.
How Long Does It Really Take?
If you practice for 15 minutes a day, you can finish the Duolingo Spanish course in 6 to 12 months.
However, there is a major difference between finishing the app and speaking the language. Because Duolingo focuses on translation games rather than conversation, it can take years to become fluent using their app.
Duolingo primarily teaches Mexican/Latin American Spanish. However, they keep their content pretty universal, so you’ll also pick up words and grammar that work in most Spanish-speaking places.
Example practice drill from Duolingo Spanish
While there might be a few local twists in vocabulary or accents, you should be able to learn and speak Spanish that’ll have you understood from Madrid to Mexico City.
Keep in mind, Duolingo does offer specific courses for Catalan and Guarani Spanish as well, however, these courses are not as comprehensive as Duolingo’s standard Spanish course.
How Many Sections In Duolingo Spanish?
In the Duolingo Spanish course, you’ll find eight sections packed with language lessons and resources to explore. Each section covers different aspects of the language, from basics like greetings and food to more advanced topics like past tense and professions (similar to the Rosetta Stone Spanish course).
As you progress through the sections, you’ll unlock new vocabulary and grammar concepts, gradually building your skills and confidence in Spanish. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, Duolingo’s approach feels like a game with their rewards system.
How Many Units In Duolingo Spanish?
Within each section of the Duolingo Spanish course, you’ll find anywhere from 5 to 40 units, each focusing on a specific language skill or topic. These units are designed to be bite-sized and manageable, making it easy to fit learning into your schedule.
The Duolingo Spanish courses consists of hundreds of units and lessons
Whether you’re practicing greetings, verbs, or travel phrases, the varied unit lengths keep the learning experience engaging.
How Many Lessons In Duolingo Spanish?
On average, each unit in the Duolingo Spanish course contains about five lessons, making them easy to tackle in one sitting. These lessons cover different aspects of the unit’s theme, helping you grasp the material step by step.
Whether you’re learning vocabulary, grammar rules, or pronunciation, the bite-sized lessons make it convenient to progress at your own pace.
Why Finishing The Course Isn’t Enough
Finishing the entire Duolingo Spanish path can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year, depending on your pace. But here is the hard reality: You can “finish” the course and still not be able to speak. Because Duolingo focuses on translation games rather than conversation, it could take a few years to reach actual fluency using their app alone.
Learning Spanish with Duolingo can be fun, but be aware it’s a game, not a serious tool. Here are some tips to make the most of your Spanish-learning journey:
Daily Dose of Spanish: Practice a little bit every day. Consistency is key, and even just a few minutes can help reinforce your learning.
Speak Up: Don’t be shy to practice speaking out loud. It helps with pronunciation and getting comfortable with the language.
Mix It Up: Use Duolingo along with other resources like Spanish music, movies, or language exchange partners to keep things interesting.
Take Your Time: Don’t rush through lessons. Take the time to understand the grammar and vocabulary before moving on.
Review, Review, Review: Use the review feature regularly to reinforce what you’ve learned and keep it fresh in your memory.
With these tips, you’ll be salsa dancing your way to Spanish fluency in no time!
Other Ways To Learn Spanish Beyond Duolingo
Here are some additional activities and strategies to complement your Duolingo learning:
Immerse Yourself: Surround yourself with the language as much as possible. Listen to Spanish music, watch Spanish movies or TV shows (see Lingopie), and try to think in Spanish.
Use Different Spanish Language Apps: Honestly, if you want to speed up your learning, skip the games. Apps like Rocket Spanish, Babbel Spanish, and Pimsleur Spanish use lessons that force you to speak from Day 1. In our testing, they were roughly 3x faster for reaching conversational fluency than Duolingo.
Pimsleur offers detailed audio lessons in Spanish
Find a Spanish-Speaking Friend: Find a language exchange partner or join a conversation group to practice speaking. This can help you gain confidence and improve your fluency.
Read in Spanish: Start with simple books, news articles, or blogs in Spanish. Reading will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of grammar.
Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for vocabulary words and phrases you’re learning on Duolingo. Review them regularly to reinforce your memory.
Take Formal Classes: Consider enrolling in a Spanish course at a local language school or online. Formal classes can provide a structured learning environment and access to a teacher for guidance (see BaseLang or Lingoda).
Travel or Study Abroad: If possible, spend some time in a Spanish-speaking country. Immersing yourself in the language and culture can greatly accelerate your learning.
By incorporating these activities into your routine, you can enhance your Spanish learning experience and accelerate your progress beyond what Duolingo alone can offer.
FAQ
Does Duolingo teach Mexican Spanish?
Duolingo provides language courses specifically tailored to Mexican, Latin American, Catalan, and Guarani Spanish, offering learners the opportunity to focus on a particular dialect or regional variation. This diversity allows users to choose the variant of Spanish that aligns best with their learning goals or interests.
How long does it take to complete Duolingo Spanish?
Finishing the entire Duolingo Spanish path can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year, depending on your pace, but it can take years to become fluent using their app.
