# 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](https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-efficacy-research-framework/) about our approach!

### Filter studies

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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](https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263126101521)  
[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](https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/491d1cc7-ee33-4f80-8463-017360aafd78)  
[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.](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1499497/full)  
[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.](https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/140c6a0c-0035-4c87-b678-a0d74dd53de3)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_educator_perception_2024.pdf)  
[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.](https://utppublishing.com/doi/10.1558/cj.26704)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_conversation_2024.pdf)  
[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.](https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/jsls.00021.plo)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_read_listen_exceed_expectations_2023.pdf)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Plonsky_etal_whitepaper_language_learning_grit_motivation_2023.pdf)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_read_listen_confirmed_gains_2023.pdf)  
[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.](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13825585.2021.1991262?ref=blog.duolingo.com)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_read_listen_A1_to_A2_2022.pdf)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/EDC_whitepaper_literacy_proficiency_2022.pdf)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_speak_2021.pdf)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_read_listen_2021.pdf)  
[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.](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/flan.12600)  
[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.](https://duolingo-papers.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/Duolingo_whitepaper_language_read_listen_2020.pdf)