this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2025
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[–] gramie@lemmy.ca 96 points 6 days ago (7 children)

I have found Duolingo much, much less useful for language learning than Language Transfer. The latter actually helps you learn to think in another language rather than memorize things (which is still useful, but not nearly as much).

Short if total immersion, I have found nothing better than LT.

[–] ryannathans@aussie.zone 24 points 6 days ago

Holy crap that website needs some serious work, on mobile at least

[–] zerofk@lemm.ee 13 points 6 days ago (1 children)

The problem I have with finding an alternative is that most just offer some five to ten largest languages. Want to learn Spanish, French, Russian, or Chinese? There are hundreds of both free and paid services available. Want to learn Hungarian, Irish, or Finnish? It’s Duolingo and a scant handful of sites specific to that language.

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[–] phantomwise@lemmy.ml 34 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Let's also replace the customers by AI, that way the whole system will really be "AI first" and self-sufficient.

[–] Anomalocaris@lemm.ee 11 points 6 days ago (1 children)

it's a matter of time (or more likely has already happen) where an AI company ends up having only AI users, it makes money be selling adds to show to the users, which are all AI bots, and then selling those bots as user data.

then said company celebrates that it has no humans involved making a shit ton of profit.

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago

So Twitter?

[–] Hyphlosion@lemm.ee 4 points 5 days ago

Afraid to find out what an AI Karen would be like.

[–] Guns0rWeD13@lemmy.world 15 points 5 days ago

if the labor cost goes down, the service should become cheaper.

if it worked like that, i'd love to have AI replace humans.

AI isn't the problem. capitalism is.

[–] RedFrank24@lemmy.world 47 points 6 days ago (3 children)

So if they're using a ChatGPT wrapper to teach me languages, why do I need Duolingo? Copilot is free.

[–] Jack_Burton@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago (3 children)

This kind of thing is what confuses me as a business model. Take audio books for example, Audible is pivoting to ai voices. Why would people spend $20 on an audio book with an ai voice when they can just spend $1.99 on the eBook and run it through an ai voice program themselves?

[–] muusemuuse@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago

Because idle that takes off and becomes a threat to their business model, they will just lobby to make such a thing illegal.

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[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 16 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Copilot is free.

Free.

Free with ads.

Freemium with ads.

Free trial with tiered subscription service.

New subscription tiers with reduced ads. Premium package for boosts to service.

Please enter your credit card number and watch the ad to unlock device.

[–] sleen@lemmy.zip 13 points 6 days ago

Please drink verification can to continue..

[–] Bakkoda@sh.itjust.works 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

If it's free you are the product.

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[–] goldenquetzal@lemmy.world 69 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Apparently they've already been incorporating it and it's very inaccurate. I've decided to stop using them and have switched to LingoDeer and MemRise. Really pleased with how much better they are.

[–] Ibuthyr@lemmy.wtf 11 points 6 days ago (5 children)

Why not Anki? Ankidroid works well and there are many great community decks for all kinds of languages (and other topics too BTW).

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[–] Blemgo@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago

I can also recommend Pimsleur. A bit more expensive, but features more traditional style courses, while offering a lot of what Duolingo has. Plus actual topics with grammar, not just random words!

[–] Zacpod@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The AI slop is why I quit Duolingo after my 1500+ day streak.

[–] Excrubulent@slrpnk.net 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Is there an alternative? I just started using it but the experience is incredibly grating, especially the way they gate your progress behind "lives" that stop you learning unless you can pay.

[–] SippyCup@feddit.nl 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Yarr, thar be an alternative. Though some might'n be thinking acquiring such booty be illegal.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 21 points 6 days ago (5 children)

So they've killed themselves before adding Armenian.

Makes sense.

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[–] Nightsoul@lemmy.world 16 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

If you looking to replace dualingo, check with your local library, they may offer free access to different language learning apps. I was able to get Rosetta Stone for free using my library. And they also have access to Muzzy and Transparent language.

[–] madgepickles@lemmy.world 20 points 6 days ago

i cancelled my subscription and told them why

[–] SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org 25 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Oh no! How will I pretend to learn a language now? Woe is me.

[–] yum@lemmy.eco.br 13 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

I get the hate for Duolingo, but you can actually learn with it

[–] Akuchimoya@startrek.website 8 points 6 days ago

Duolingo got me enough vocabulary in Spanish to put the simplest sentences together, and then follow more robust lessons. I still think it was a good starting point, but I won't use it anymore on principle.

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[–] Roundeyegweilo@lemm.ee 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

My son is going to be sad that we don't use duo anymore

[–] brendansimms@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

your local public library (if in US) should offer free language courses online - all you need is a library card

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