I tried Duolingo a few years ago when I moved to the Netherlands to learn Dutch. It was fun and I think it help me. But I did not continue, moved to a more traditional class setting and social interactions. I also found reading poetry was a fun way to learn a language. I think you captured the idea here succinctly "I feel tricked by an endearing, repetitive app that pre-masticates multiple-choice options and passive, mechanical translations, pushing you to jump onto yet another “challenge” for double points." And yes, at the end of the day, they need to make money. I like your suggestions about customising it to a tone down version and also finding your own motivations.
This was REALLY interesting, Tania.
I tried Duolingo a few years ago when I moved to the Netherlands to learn Dutch. It was fun and I think it help me. But I did not continue, moved to a more traditional class setting and social interactions. I also found reading poetry was a fun way to learn a language. I think you captured the idea here succinctly "I feel tricked by an endearing, repetitive app that pre-masticates multiple-choice options and passive, mechanical translations, pushing you to jump onto yet another “challenge” for double points." And yes, at the end of the day, they need to make money. I like your suggestions about customising it to a tone down version and also finding your own motivations.