The Educational Potential of Duolingo as a Supplementary Resource for Language Learning

Abstract

The abstract explores the educational potential of Duolingo, a popular interactive platform for learning foreign languages, as a supplementary extracurricular resource. It is currently used by the students of the Faculty of International Relations for upgrading their linguistic skills on an out-of-class basis. The article explains the basic principles of the platform’s operation and provides a critical evaluation of its strengths and problematic areas based on the practical experience of using it for learning French. A conclusion is formulated about the relative efficiency of Duolingo for forming basic skills of grammar and improving the skills of listening and reading comprehension. However, the platform’s capacity for teaching speaking skills is limited. With all its advantages, Duolingo cannot fully substitute traditional classes that are aimed at attaining higher levels of language fluency (levels B2 and higher).