I spent a lot of time the past four days learning/reviewing my Spanish using an app called Duolingo. I read about it when I was reading about artificial intelligence and it sounded like fun. I had read that learning a foreign language is a good way to exercise our brains, but in the past I didn’t want to commit a lot of time to studying.
So I don’t have a goal of becoming proficient in Spanish (the company offers a lot of other languages), I’m just using Duolingo as game like Wordle, Spelling Bee, etc. So far it’s been a winner — they know how to grab my attention and keep me motivated to use it.
When I signed up I said I knew some Spanish — I had four years of high school Spanish years ago, and I live in New Mexico so I know some words — so they put me in the Rookie level. I’m three-quarters of the way through it and will no doubt spend a lot less time playing when I finish this level, but so far I’m impressed at how well it makes learning fun. It is great mental exercise.
Have you gotten deeply absorbed in anything lately?
May 10, 2023
wow – some of my uTube travellers have use this app – although one then went on to live in a country so she could expand her knowledge.
I’m still pottering with “anything art wise” – but also considering a few “what ifs” which came about when someone asked me to “lead a group” – but when I talked some more with her, found it wasn’t exactly what I thought. But it’s given me a “thought or two” on something a bit different.
Life is a funny ole beast at times…
Yes, one never knows….
my friend blogger in Sweden has learned 3 new langauges using this. Swedish and English she learned growing up, she loves this and finds it easy to learn from it. I tried it and could not even get through the first lesson. my brain can’t remember what I learned by the end of the lesson. School was a struggle for me and I did make it through high school. I last tried it about 5 years ago
I’m surprised as much sticks as it does for me with Duolingo. Cooking programs is where I have trouble. When it’s a competition I can never remember who cooked what. All you can do is laugh.
Duolingo’s headquarters is in my city, and I am impressed with how they manage their business. For fun, they recently opened a walk-up taco shop outside their office, and patrons must order in Spanish. I took French in school but am considering working on Spanish now, even if just for helping in crossword puzzles.
Nina
Thanks for telling me about their business. I like the fact it’s started me thinking in Spanish right away. That didn’t happen when i took language classes in school.
Besides Wordle/Spelling Bee/Quordle … no, I haven’t. I’m going to check out Duolingo. Thanks!
🙂
I know someone who does this. There are also a lot of ads for Babble, which promises to get you fluent in a matter of weeks! I would sure think that would depend on the person.
I just looked into Babble…it looks good too.
Learning Spanish is a good goal on so many levels.
It’s fun. 🙂
I tried wordle once. Not only did I not understand it but it made me feel totally stupid. Now I might be able to manage learning a new language through an app. I also took spanish in high school. I couldn’t carry on a conversation but I can count to ten and know a few phrases and words.
Duolingo makes it fun.