I got a 3,000 day streak in Duolingo, am I wasting my time?

As you may know, one of the things I enjoy the most is learning languages—it's fun, challenging, and good for the brain. I speak 5 languages with different degrees of mastery, so I practice them every day because my goal is to become a fluent speaker of them all.

And for this, I use a variety of tools and learning materials. Mobile apps for learning languages have seen an unprecedented rise in popularity. The first app that comes to mind when talking about learning apps is Duolingo. Lots of people are using it, even people who are not language learning enthusiasts, so of course I'm not the exception and I'm using it like everybody else. Is it any good though, or am I just wasting my time?

I've been using Duolingo for a very long time now—more than 8 years! Has it been helpful in my journey to become a fluent speaker? The answer is not that simple. Everyone is different, and people learn in different ways. What may work for me may not work for you and vice versa. Keep this in mind when using any app or other learning material, and always be aware and try new learning techniques if you ever feel like you are stuck and not making any progress. This applies not only to languages, but other long-term learning journeys like musical instruments.

As for me, I think Duolingo is not that bad: it's addictive, and you can learn lots of new words in a fun way. But of course, it's not my only source of learning, and it shouldn't be yours either.

Here's what you can do to learn a language:

• Read lots of books, but don't forget to have your translator handy. Reading books is not only fun, it also allows you to learn grammar naturally while improving your spelling and vocabulary. What's not to like? If you are not already doing it, do it now!
• Use an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini. These chatbots can speak many languages, so use them to practice not only your writing skills, but also your reading skills.
• Talk to yourself in your target language. You can do this when cooking or doing any other task—explain to yourself the steps required to complete the task in your target language.
• Practice at the supermarket: Try to name as many products as possible in your target language. This is also great for the brain, as you keep it active by recalling different words.
• Travel to a country that speaks your target language. Don't forget to actually talk to people, though! Overcome your shyness and try to interact with as many people as possible. Immersion is one of the best ways to learn.

So there you have it. What do you think about Duolingo? Do you think it's effective, or are there better ways for learning? Did I miss anything? Please let me know in the comments below!