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How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish With Duolingo?
By Debbie Lopez Updated on April 29, 2024
Thomas Mühlbacher Thomas Mühlbacher

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? Lots of folks choose the Duolingo app for a fun and flexible 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.

What Type Of Spanish Does Duolingo Teach?

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.

duolingo spanish drill
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 structured approach makes learning Spanish engaging and rewarding.

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.

duolingo spanish exercise
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 dynamic and 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.

How Long Does It Take To Finish Duolingo Spanish?

Finishing the entire Duolingo Spanish language course can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on your learning pace and consistency. Completing one section, which consists of multiple learning units, might take around 3-4 weeks with regular practice.

However, achieving fluency can take much longer and requires continued practice and immersion in the language beyond Duolingo.

Tips For Learning Spanish With Duolingo

Learning Spanish with Duolingo can be a blast. 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: Some language learning apps offer more comprehensive and effective approaches than Duolingo by providing more advanced grammar explanations, cultural insights, and interactive practice. These apps often tailor their content to different learning styles and goals, offering a more personalized learning experience. A few top rated language apps include Rocket Spanish, Babbel Spanish, and Pimsleur Spanish.

Pimsleur Spanish audio
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).

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?

The time it takes to complete Duolingo Spanish can vary widely depending on individual learning pace and consistency. On average, completing one section, which consists of dozens of sections and lessons, might take around 3-4 weeks with regular practice, but achieving fluency can take much longer and requires continued practice and immersion beyond Duolingo.