> It's a way of sucking in ppl who have a desire to learn a language and to fool themselves that they are actually working productively towards that goal by using duolingo when instead, they're essentially procrastinating.
Thanks for saying it that clearly, this is exactly what I think of it too. I try to explain that sometime to people (irl), but despite my own achievements regarding language learning that should back my advises the truth is too hard to handle for most.
Or maybe you’re wrong. I think everyone here is missing the point. If the choice is between 5 minutes a day of Duolingo and _no_ language learning at all, Duolingo absolutely wins. And, empirically, it does work for some of us, in some languages.
I think the difference is between 5 minutes a day, checking the box that you’re “learning” vs admitting that you’d be better off using an effective structured program (tutor, live language partner, etc.). I think the critique is Duolingo is treated as a substitute when it’s a complement.
Thanks for saying it that clearly, this is exactly what I think of it too. I try to explain that sometime to people (irl), but despite my own achievements regarding language learning that should back my advises the truth is too hard to handle for most.