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!

Filter studies

All yearsAll years2020202120222023202420252026

All categoriesAll categoriesDuolingo Research ReportIndependent Research ReportPeer-Reviewed Study

2026Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nComparing the effectiveness of Duolingo, Classroom instruction, and Classroom + Duolingo instruction conditions on beginner-level French language development\n\nKim, Y., Payant, C., Skalicky, S., & Namkung, Y.\n\nAfter studying French for one semester, Duolingo learners’ communication skills were comparable to classroom learners
2025Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nThe effectiveness of app-based and classroom-based instruction on L2 learning and motivation\n\nGonzález-Fernández, B., & de la Viña, I.\n\nAfter studying English for one semester, Duolingo learners had higher proficiency test scores than classroom learners
2025Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nMobile language app learners’ self-efficacy increases after using generative AI\n\nKittredge, A.K., Hopman, E.W.M., Reuveni, B., Dionne, D., Freeman, C., & Jiang, X.\n\nLearners had more positive beliefs about their language skills after using Duolingo Max for one month.
2024Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nThe effectiveness of Duolingo in developing receptive and productive language knowledge and proficiency\n\nSmith, B., Jiang, X., & Peters, R.\n\nAfter using Duolingo for 3 months, learners improved in speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
2024Duolingo Research Report\n\nEducators’ perceptions of Duolingo efficacy\n\nFreeman, C., Kittredge, A., Hopman, E., & Jiang, X.\n\nIn a survey of educators, a large majority thought Duolingo was effective for language learning and said they would recommend Duolingo to learners.
2024Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nCALICO JOURNAL\n\nThe effectiveness of Duolingo English courses in developing reading and listening proficiency\n\nJiang, X., Peters, R., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\n\nLearners in beginner-level Duolingo English courses scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2024Duolingo Research Report\n\nDuolingo learners can start a conversation after 4-6 weeks of app use\n\nKittredge, A., Peters, R., Neumann, F., & Jiang, X.\n\nDuolingo beginners learned basic conversational skills after just 4–6 weeks of app use.
2023Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nJOURNAL OF SECOND LANGUAGE STUDIES\n\nThe effects of frequency, duration, and intensity on L2 learning through Duolingo: A natural experiment\n\nSudina, E., & Plonsky, L.\n\nLearners who did more lessons on Duolingo had better learning outcomes, and lessons mattered more than time spent learning.
2023Duolingo Research Report\n\nReading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Japanese speakers\n\nJiang, X., Hopman, E., & Peters, R.\n\nJapanese speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2023Independent Research Report\n\nThe effects of frequency, duration, and intensity on L2 learning through Duolingo: A ‘natural’ experiment\n\nPlonsky, L., & Sudina, E.\n\nDuolingo learners with high grit and motivation did more lessons, and learners who did more lessons learned more.
2023Duolingo Research Report\n\nReading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Portuguese speakers\n\nJiang, X., Peters, R., & Pajak, B.\n\nPortuguese speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2023Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nAGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, AND COGNITION\n\nImprovement in executive function for older adults through smartphone apps: A randomized clinical trial comparing language learning and brain training\n\nMeltzer, 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.\n\nLearning a language on Duolingo for four months improved seniors’ brain health.
2022Duolingo Research Report\n\nReading and listening outcomes of learners in the Duolingo English course for Spanish speakers\n\nJiang, X., & Pajak, B.\n\nSpanish speakers in the beginner-level Duolingo English course scored above the beginner level on language tests.
2022Independent Research Report\n\nEnhancing literacy outcomes with Duolingo ABC\n\nLavigne, H., Kennedy, J.L., Lemieux, C., & Salone Maxon, T.\n\nAfter using Duolingo ABC for 2 months, children showed the same improvement in their literacy skills as in 2 months of kindergarten.
2021Duolingo Research Report\n\nHow well does Duolingo teach speaking skills?\n\nJiang, X., Rollinson, J., Chen, H., Reuveni, B., Gustafson, E., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\n\nEnglish speakers in beginner-level Duolingo French and Spanish courses scored at the beginner level and higher on speaking tests.
2021Duolingo Research Report\n\nFinishing half of B1 on Duolingo comparable to five university semesters in reading and listening\n\nJiang, X., Chen, H., Portnoff, L., Gustafson, E., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\n\nDuolingo French and Spanish learners scored as well as university students who took five semesters of language classes.
2021Peer-Reviewed Study\n\nFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS\n\nEvaluating the reading and listening outcomes of beginning‐level Duolingo courses\n\nJiang, X., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., Gustafson, E., & Pajak, B.\n\nDuolingo 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.
2020Duolingo Research Report\n\nFinishing A2 on Duolingo comparable to four university semesters in reading and listening\n\nJiang, X., Rollinson, J., Plonsky, L., & Pajak, B.\n\nDuolingo French and Spanish learners scored as well as university students who took four semesters of language classes.