Duolingo continues to work on incorporating new technologies into its application to gamify learning and make its platform as interactive as possible.
The flagship language learning app has recently announced several new features that, although somewhat limited at the moment, will probably be progressively expanded over time. At the “duocon” 2024, the company’s annual conference, its executives have announced the introduction of video calls to practice conversation using artificial intelligence, and the arrival of adventure scenarios in which to practice language in a format more similar to a video game.
Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, said in a statement that “these innovations are just the beginning of how we are leveraging technology to better serve our global community of learners.”
Adventures in Duolingo
The application of the viral green owl is going to introduce sections that it has called “adventures”, in which users will be able to experiment with the language through real situations in a game-like environment. Everyday actions can be carried out, such as ordering a coffee, and will serve to give more of a game-like appearance to a learning platform that wants to be anything but boring. Of course, there will only be one of these adventures for each unit of the course.
At the moment, they are only available for English speakers learning French, and for Spanish speakers learning English. They are available on both iOS and Android devices.
AI video calls
They have also announced a new learning tool to train listening and speaking skills. These are video calls in which the user can chat in real time with one of Duolingo’s characters, Lily, who will listen and respond using artificial intelligence.
“VideoCall is designed to simulate natural dialogue and provides a personalized and interactive practice environment,” the app explains. According to Duolingo, the possibility of engaging in conversation with AI will help counteract feelings of embarrassment or shyness and allow users to practice conversation before using it in the real world.
The downside is that this feature is only available to iOS subscribers of Duolingo Max, which costs about $30 a month. AI video calling is available to subscribers of any language who are learning English, Spanish, or French, though it will soon be coming to Portuguese, Italian, and German lessons as well.
A keyboard to learn piano
Along with these two major new features, Duolingo is also showing evidence of continuing to work on its other non-language learning courses. This is the case of its initial course on music, as the app has launched its own MIDI keyboard that can be connected to a mobile phone for practicing in class. It has done so in collaboration with the instrument manufacturer Loog. Its price is not far behind: about $249 from its official store.
It is a “portable digital piano for beginners with professional sound, features and design. The Loog x Duolingo piano is combined with the Duolingo music course so that everyone can learn to play their favorite songs,” says its website.
