Ask Benny: Does Daily Duolingo Really Help?

03/30/22 • 7 min

1 Listener

For this episode, Benny shares his opinions and experience of the Duolingo app. Getting points and maintaining a streak may be great motivators, but does it really work if you want to speak the language? Benny explains how gamified apps can be a valuable part of your language learning, but to be successful, there is another important element that should be central to your practise.

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

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To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Previous Episode

#92 Tom O’Neill on Language Learning for Introverts

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, Tom, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his building confidence and courage as an introverted language learner as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

This episode features Tom, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

Learning new writing systems and Asian languages
Using scripts to get ahead in your conversations in another language
Why you sometimes need to do things that are outside your comfort zone, like videos, to get ahead in your learning
How introversion impacts your language studies - both good and bad
How to pick the right language tutor
How to build confidence and courage in yourself and your language skills
Maintaining motivation when life throws curveballs at you
Tips for avoiding the comparison trap
Choosing things to talk about in another language
How to get through moments in conversations where you don’t understand
Why it’s important to celebrate success - whether big or small
Juggling multiple languages as a hobbyist

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Next Episode

#93 Laetitia on How to Find a Great Language Tutor

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge coach, Laetitia, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her varied experience learning or dabbling in many languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Vietnamese.

This episode features Laetitia, who made significant progress with several language in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

The importance of having an inspirational tutor
Things to consider when looking for a tutor
Finding your tribe with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
The pitfall of expecting learning to be passive
Why you should take the time to find out which methods and resources work for you
Being as nice to yourself as you would be to a friend
The pointlessness and dangers of comparisons and perfectionism
Remember, you don’t know every word in your native language!
How technology can be a great tool for learning, so don’t be scared of it
Reading to maintain languages and being happy to understand 60%
Culture shock and learning “on the job” in Japan - a little goes a long way
How to create an effective language exchange

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.