These are baby steps but I have been on a language learning spree many thanks to Duolingo. It has an iOS app that is perfectly suited for learning new languages – the human form of communication “language” and not the programmer’s jargon. Quite recently, I was being plagued by a depleting list of challenges, somewhat related to design thinking or product design. So the books became convenient alongside the odd articles for nirvana, though my desire to pick up French was still lying dormant somewhere. So why not!
This is my first time taking language lessons on an app but Duolingo’s informal approach to serious learning offered me encouraging support to train at the time of my choosing and on-the-go. With my headphones in place, I initiated the first lesson after creating my account, I was presented with multiple yet familiar visuals representations screen after screen and I had to choose the corresponding answer for the not so obvious french words. Tap, tap, done. Applying some smart judgement, I was able to advance in my endeavour to grasp the vocabulary, one phrase at a time. The words were audible which I could repeat to gain more familiarity. As I was progressing, the app consistently kept me engaged through the gamification process by showing my mastery level in French after subsequent tests and kept my confidence soaring high. So I stand at a low 13% today but one has to confess, being a beginner some of le français words are just so hard to pronounce! And if there’s one language that fully employs the contours of your delicate tongue, you guessed it. Duo, just reminded me that I am doing fantastic with my training, and continuing with my everyday streak would fetch me some rewards, so I’m off to learn some more French. Salut!
