How To Get The Most Out Of Duolingo

how to get the most out of duolingo

duolingo is a great app/website that you can use to begin learning a foreign language, but unfortunately you most likely won’t be able to fully learn the language if you only use duolingo. so, here are some things that you can do to get the most out of duolingo and to learn your target better.

1. read the lessons - most of the languages (especially if you’re learning in english) have little lessons. however, these are only available on the website, so if you use the app, you might want to occasionally check in online and click on the little lightbulb to read the lessons. they usually aren’t super in-depth, but for beginners it is super helpful and not as heavy as a textbook grammar guide.

2. don’t work too fast and always revise - if you’re knocking out a bunch of lessons a day thinking you’ll learn faster, this could be true, but most likely it’s not. if you work at a steady pace and remember to do it once a day (preferably at the same time – they say this is better for memorization) you will learn it better. if you do one lesson or maybe two a day and you still have time for more, go ahead and revise a little. when i first started french, i did two lessons a day and then always revised to make sure i remembered everything.

3. study the vocabulary - not all of the courses have this, but on the online version some of the courses have a tab on the top that says “words” and this is a great place to find all the vocabulary that you’ve been learning in your courses. go through the list and find all the words you don’t know that well or at all and make some flashcards or a set on quizlet and study them. learn how to spell them, pronounce them, conjugate them, and use them within a sentence. if you do this, you’ll always have a solid base to fall back on. this goes for learning conjugations, as well.

4. start learning your native language in your target language - after you’ve finished all the courses in your target language, feel free to revise daily. you might want to, however, start learning your native language in your target language. this might not be an option for all the languages offered on duolingo. for me, i learned english in french. this was helpful for picking up more phrases and seeing more common ways that french people write. if you’re feeling particularly confident and know your stuff really well, try learning a new language in your target language. for example, i did the spanish course in french, which definitely helped with my french phrasing while translating. 

5. don’t stop after you finish your course - if you’ve done it right, finishing your course on duolingo will give you a really good start to the language you’re learning. after you’ve finished, keep revising, but also go ahead and start learning your target language in different ways. i made a whole in-depth post on how to learn a language online here. some ideas are reading children books, watching youtube videos and movies, and talking to natives all in your target language. never give up because it will be worth it. 

Oh dear Lord. Those stickers. 😍😱🦖

[Days of Productivity: 79/100]

The hardest part of doing a big essay is starting it off in the first place. My tip is to write a plan. Even if you don’t think you need a plan – you do. You always need a plan! Organise your notes and write a plan, and you’ll find that first sentence just that little bit easier. ✨ How’s your Thursday going?

Saturday, July 22nd, 2017 

Here are some of the very best apps for students; either in highschool or in college. I have used many of the following apps, but not all of them. Some, I have just asked friends about and they suggested those ones. 

Please enjoy the apps below, tell me how you like them, and feel free to add onto this list :)

Focus: SelfControl, Forest, MindNode, FocusBooster, FocusWriter, Think, StayFocused, Freedom, Cold Turkey, Anti-Social, Time Out, SmartBreak, Balanced

Productivity: Evernote, Any.do, MyScript Nebo, Outlook, Trello, Droptask, Basecamp, Pocket, Gyst, Doodle, Pen and Paper, Wunderlist, Toggl, Asana, Wolfram Alpha

Sounds: Tide, WhiteNoise, Chroma Doze, Coffitivity, Noisli, Brain.fm, NatureSpace, Noizio, Rainy Mood, SimplyNoise, Spotify, Slacker Radio 

Language Learning: Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu, Babbel, Livemocha, Living Language, Tandem, MindSnacks

Games: Lumosity, Sudoku, TanZen, GeoMaster Plus HD, Speed Anatomy, Star Walk, LeafSnap, Splice: Tree of Life, Vismory, Pigments, Viridi, Sunshine, Nota

Revision: Gojimo, Revision App, iMindMap, Exam Countdown, Penultimate, Clippet

Test Prep: Khan Academy, Magoosh ACT Flashcards, The Grading Game, Math Brain Booster, ACCUPLACER Study App, CK-12, NRICH, StudySync, Quizlet, StudyAce, That Quiz, Brilliant, Synap

Planner: Timeful, Remember the Milk, Listastic, Finish, 2Do, iStudiez Pro, MyHomework Student Planner, My Study Life, ClassManager, MyLifeOrganized, Daily Agenda, Schedule Planner, Todoist

Writing: EasyBib, ProWritingAid, Bubbl.us, WiseMapping, yWriter5, Storybook, Q10, Write 2 Lite, Writer, Diaro, Note Everything, OmmWriter, Draft

Health: MyFitnessPal, Lose It, Endomondo, FitNet, Sworkit, Daily Yoga, Yonder, Fooducate, SideChef, Rise, LifeSum, Meditation Studio, Happify, 7 Cups, Clue, Start, Power Nap App, Fit Radio, Calm

Courses: Corsera, PhotoMath, Udemy, HowCast, SimpleMind+, Open Culture, Canvas, Schoology, Alison, CourseBuffet, Degreed, Instructables, InstaNerd, Big Think, Yousician, Pianu 

Books & Reading: CampusBooks, Scribd, Pocket, Wattpad, GoodReads, Readmill, Audible, Prizmo, Blio, Kindle, Overdrive, BlueFire Reader, Nook, Kobo, Aldiko, Cool Reader

Note Taking: SuperNotes, StudyBlue, Bento, QuickOffice, Google Keep, Zoho Notebook, Simplenote, Bear, OneNote, Box Notes, Dynalist.io, Squid, Notability 

Inspiration: TED, Lift, Believe It: You Will Achieve, BrainCourage, Get Inspired, iFundamentals, Reinventing Yourself, iWish, Pozify, Positive Thinking - The Key to Happiness, The Gratitude Journal 

Other: WiFi Finder, Mint, Zwoor, Brain Pump, Curiosity, Ready4 SAT, GradeProof, edX, Mendeley, Due, CamScanner, IFTTT, Square Cash

Evie & Jacob Frye (Assassin’s Creed Syndicate) “Ladies and gentlemen! We are Jacob and Evie Frye! And as of this moment, you all work, for us!”

Highkey in love with this (even tho I’d be wayyyy too embarrassed to actually call someone it 😂)

The first time you call them daddy: [preference]

Alexios: He would look at you with shock and confusion, but it would quickly turn into a smug smirk as he teases you about it… For days. “So its gonna be daddy now, hmm? I could get used to that.”

Bayek: The amount of blush which would cover him is indescribable. Better hope it didn’t happen in public. He would be speechless for awhile. Would never get used to it and always feel awkward.

Altair: Oh, the horror! He would tease you forever with a cocky smirk on his lips. But not before getting a massive boner because of it. He wouldn’t be as smug if Malik was around to hear it though. Then Altair would be on the receiving end of the teasing.

Ezio: Plays along. And gets extremely horny too. Would be all over you before you even realize what you said. “Mm, sweetheart, I like that. Do make sure to call me that again the next time we make love, okay?”

Connor: SHOOK. Daddy? What do you mean by that? Do you think he has gotten old? Does he look old? Does he look like a father? Are you pregnant? Would start questioning you immediately.

Haytham: Oh, you know he’s gonna be proud. Don’t tell me he doesn’t have a daddy kink even a little bit. He would get turned on almost immediately and would tease you with the cockiest smirk, trying to quickly move things to the bedroom.

Edward: “I didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff, lass!” He would laugh, winking playfully at you and giving your ass a small slap “Such a naughty little thing you are.” Would let you call him that even though he never had a preference for it.

Shay: He would stare at you, surprised, and with a small blush on his cheeks. He has a small daddy kink and was thrilled to hear the nickname come out of your lips. “I could get used to that.” He would smirk.

Arno: Please no. He would be a blushing mess in seconds. He would feel extremely awkward because the nickname makes him feel old and weird overall. “Cherie, I would never judge you for what you’re into but please…for the love of god don’t call me that again…”

Jacob: Achievement unlocked. He has wanted to be called daddy since forever. He just wants to be a daddy so bad. Instantly goes with it and tells you to call him that from now on. Even in public if you want this boy has zero shame.

Magestic.