Learning a new language takes time and consistency. Using a language learning app like Duolingo for just a few minutes a day is not enough to become fluent. Most experts recommend spending at least 20-30 minutes on Duolingo daily to see meaningful progress.
How does Duolingo work?
Duolingo is a free language learning app and website that uses short lessons, quizzes, and games to help you build vocabulary and grammar skills in over 30 languages. Lessons are bite-sized and take just a few minutes to complete.
As you progress through the lessons, you earn XP points and level up. Completing one skill level often takes several days of practice. The courses are gamified to motivate you to come back daily and keep your streak going.
What factors influence how long to spend on Duolingo?
Several factors impact how much time you should spend learning on Duolingo each day:
- Your goals – Are you learning for travel vs fluency?
- Difficulty of the language – Languages like Japanese take more time than Spanish.
- Previous experience – Beginners need more time than those brushing up.
- Schedule and availability – Even 10 minutes daily is beneficial if very busy.
Also, spending longer than an hour at once does not tend to be more effective. Research shows that spaced short practice sessions are best for language learning. Consistency is key.
Recommendations from language experts
Most language learning experts recommend the following time per day in Duolingo based on your goals:
| Goal | Duolingo Time Per Day |
|---|---|
| Travel / Basic Skills | 15-20 minutes |
| Conversational Fluency | 20-30 minutes |
| Mastery / Near-Fluency | 30-60 minutes |
Doing at least 20 minutes daily allows you to complete a full lesson and reinforce previously learned material through practice. It also helps build habits that support long-term progression.
Studies show diminishing learning returns after 30-60 minutes of study per day. Consider dividing your study time into two or more sessions.
Tips to learn faster and more effectively on Duolingo
Here are some tips to optimize your daily Duolingo routine for faster, more effective learning:
- Strive for 20-30 minutes daily if possible. This provides enough time and repetition for lessons to stick.
- Be consistent with your study, even if just 5-10 minutes some days. Regular practice is key.
- Work mostly on new material but reinforce old skills too to prevent forgetting.
- Read the tips sections – they provide grammar explanations to supplement lessons.
- Enable voice activation to get speaking practice.
- Use the website version for a more thorough learning experience compared to the app.
- Take your time and don’t rush. Focus on comprehension not just mechanically choosing answers.
- Supplement Duolingo with other resources like music, shows, tutoring, etc. Duolingo alone is often not enough for fluency.
How long does it take to complete an entire Duolingo course?
The total time to complete an entire language course on Duolingo depends significantly on factors like the language and intensity of study. However, most learners take 3-12 months to fully complete a course.
Here are some estimates for completing popular Duolingo language courses:
| Language Course | Time to Complete |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 3-6 months |
| French | 4-8 months |
| German | 5-10 months |
| Italian | 3-6 months |
| Japanese | 8-12 months |
These estimates assume actively studying and practicing 20-30 minutes daily. Completing multiple courses at once or studying inconsistently will increase the timelines.
Should I pay for Duolingo Plus to learn faster?
Duolingo offers a paid subscription plan called Duolingo Plus which provides some additional features and removes ads. However, experts disagree on whether Duolingo Plus accelerates learning:
- Pros: Unlimited hearts for mistakes mean less frustration. Progress quizzes help identify weak spots.
- Cons: Core lessons are unchanged. The app can still become repetitive after a point. Motivation may decrease without hearts.
For many leaners, the free version provides sufficient content for daily learning. However, Plus may be worthwhile if you are very competitive or hate making mistakes. The best way to learn a language faster is to supplement Duolingo with conversational practice.
Conclusion
In summary, most language experts recommend spending 20-30 minutes on Duolingo per day for steady progression toward conversational fluency in a foreign language. At minimum, strive for at least 15 minutes daily rather than just a few minutes if you want to see meaningful results. Be consistent in your study and supplement Duolingo with other resources focused on reading, writing, speaking and listening.