If you’ve been thinking about learning Spanish but feel unsure where to begin, you’re not alone. One of the first questions many new learners ask is: Is Duolingo enough to learn Spanish?
Let’s explore what Duolingo does well, where it falls short, and how you can set yourself up for real-world success—especially if you’ve struggled with languages in the past.
What Duolingo Can Do for You
Duolingo is a free, gamified app that teaches vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns through quick, colorful exercises. It’s designed to make learning feel fun and addictive, and it can help you build a basic foundation of words and phrases.
But while it’s great for exposure to the language, using Duolingo alone rarely results in confident speaking skills.
The Speaking Confidence Gap
Language learning has never been more popular. Over 575 million people have downloaded Duolingo, yet studies show that most users still struggle to hold real conversations—even after months or years of use.
A 2024 study in the Comparative Language Education Journal found that Duolingo users often reported lower speaking confidence than students in more traditional or conversation-based programs.
A Smarter, Slower Start
If you’re a beginner—or if you’ve tried before and felt it “just doesn’t stick”—these strategies can make learning Spanish feel easier and more natural:
- Drop the perfectionism — You don’t need every grammar rule before you start speaking.
- Listen before you read — Hearing native sounds first helps them settle in your brain.
- Go slow — Pace yourself so you truly absorb each word and phrase.
- Speak out loud — Build rhythm and muscle memory from the start.
- Choose methods made for real beginners — Not just quizzes or points, but approaches that build recall and confidence.
Resources That Help You Speak
- Spanish Slow and Easy — My step-by-step audio course for real beginners who feel stuck.
- Earworms MBT Spanish — Uses music and repetition for easier recall.
- Pimsleur — Audio-based learning designed for conversational fluency.
- Speakly — Prioritizes practical vocabulary for everyday use.
- Notion Habit Tracker — Keeps you consistent with just 5–10 minutes a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duolingo enough to learn conversational Spanish?
Not usually. It’s great for vocabulary, but it won’t build strong speaking skills on its own.
I’ve never learned another language—can I really do this?
Absolutely. Starting with slow, audio-first methods can help anyone succeed.
Am I too old to learn Spanish?
Not at all. In fact, slower, stress-free approaches are ideal for adult learners.
Should I quit Duolingo?
Not necessarily. It can be a useful supplement, but if your goal is to speak, you’ll want to combine it with other methods.
Final Thoughts
Duolingo can be a helpful spark, but it’s not the whole fire. If you want to actually speak Spanish—whether for travel, connection, or personal growth—you’ll need an approach that focuses on real conversation, not just recognition on a screen.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, you might enjoy exploring Spanish Slow and Easy — my slower-paced, confidence-first way to start speaking Spanish for real.