explore our efficacy

We evaluate the efficacy of our products in a systematic and rigorous way. Check out these studies to see how well Duolingo works!

efficacy studies

We fund and conduct studies on the efficacy of our courses, and we’re honored to have publications on Duolingo’s efficacy in high-quality scientific journals. Learn more about our approach!

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2026 Peer-Reviewed Study\
Comparing the effectiveness of Duolingo, Classroom instruction, and Classroom + Duolingo instruction conditions on beginner-level French language development\
Kim, Y., Payant, C., Skalicky, S., & Namkung, Y.\
After studying French for one semester, Duolingo learners’ communication skills were comparable to classroom learners
2025 Peer-Reviewed Study\
The effectiveness of app-based and classroom-based instruction on L2 learning and motivation\
González-Fernández, B., & de la Viña, I.\
After studying English for one semester, Duolingo learners had higher proficiency test scores than classroom learners
2025 Peer-Reviewed Study\
Mobile language app learners’ self-efficacy increases after using generative AI\
Kittredge, A.K., Hopman, E.W.M., Reuveni, B., Dionne, D., Freeman, C., & Jiang, X.\
Learners had more positive beliefs about their language skills after using Duolingo Max for one month.
2024 Peer-Reviewed Study\
The effectiveness of Duolingo in developing receptive and productive language knowledge and proficiency\
Smith, B., Jiang, X., & Peters, R.\
After using Duolingo for 3 months, learners improved in speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
2024 Duolingo Research Report\
Educators’ perceptions of Duolingo efficacy\
Freeman, C., Kittredge, A., Hopman, E., & Jiang, X.\
In a survey of educators, a large majority thought Duolingo was effective for language learning and said they would recommend Duolingo to learners.
2024 Peer-Reviewed Study\
CALICO JOURNAL\
The effectiveness of Duolingo English courses in developing reading and listening proficiency\
Jiang, X., Peters, R., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\
Learners in beginner-level Duolingo English courses scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2024 Duolingo Research Report\
Duolingo learners can start a conversation after 4-6 weeks of app use\
Kittredge, A., Peters, R., Neumann, F., & Jiang, X.\
Duolingo beginners learned basic conversational skills after just 4–6 weeks of app use.
2023 Peer-Reviewed Study\
JOURNAL OF SECOND LANGUAGE STUDIES\
The effects of frequency, duration, and intensity on L2 learning through Duolingo: A natural experiment\
Sudina, E., & Plonsky, L.\
Learners who did more lessons on Duolingo had better learning outcomes, and lessons mattered more than time spent learning.
2023 Duolingo Research Report\
Reading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Japanese speakers\
Jiang, X., Hopman, E., & Peters, R.\
Japanese speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2023 Independent Research Report\
The effects of frequency, duration, and intensity on L2 learning through Duolingo: A ‘natural’ experiment\
Plonsky, L., & Sudina, E.\
Duolingo learners with high grit and motivation did more lessons, and learners who did more lessons learned more.
2023 Duolingo Research Report\
Reading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Portuguese speakers\
Jiang, X., Peters, R., & Pajak, B.\
Portuguese speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2023 Peer-Reviewed Study\
AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, AND COGNITION\
Improvement in executive function for older adults through smartphone apps: A randomized clinical trial comparing language learning and brain training\
Meltzer, J.A., Kates Rose, M., Le, A.Y., Spencer, K.A., Goldstein, L., Gubanova, A., Lai, A.C., Yossofzai, M., Armstrong, S.E.M., & Bialystok, E.\
Learning a language on Duolingo for four months improved seniors’ brain health.
2022 Duolingo Research Report\
Reading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Spanish speakers\
Jiang, X., & Pajak, B.\
Spanish speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2022 Independent Research Report\
Enhancing literacy outcomes with Duolingo ABC\
Lavigne, H., Kennedy, J.L., Lemieux, C., & Salone Maxon, T.\
After using Duolingo ABC for 2 months, children showed the same improvement in their literacy skills as in 2 months of kindergarten.
2021 Duolingo Research Report\
How well does Duolingo teach speaking skills?\
Jiang, X., Rollinson, J., Chen, H., Reuveni, B., Gustafson, E., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\
English speakers in beginner-level Duolingo French and Spanish courses scored at the beginner level and higher on speaking tests.
2021 Duolingo Research Report\
Finishing half of B1 on Duolingo comparable to five university semesters in reading and listening\
Jiang, X., Chen, H., Portnoff, L., Gustafson, E., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\
Duolingo French and Spanish learners scored as well as university students who took five semesters of language classes.
2021 Peer-Reviewed Study\
FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS\
Evaluating the reading and listening outcomes of beginning‐level Duolingo courses\
Jiang, X., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., Gustafson, E., & Pajak, B.\
Duolingo French and Spanish learners scored as well as university students who took four semesters of language classes, after learning on Duolingo for half that time.
2020 Duolingo Research Report\
Finishing A2 on Duolingo comparable to four university semesters in reading and listening\
Jiang, X., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\
Duolingo French and Spanish learners scored as well as university students who took four semesters of language classes.