Users across Joburg are sharing their personal experiences using Duolingo and measuring how effective it is compared to traditional learning.
With the wave of emerging technologies in 2026, the country has been slowly trying to catch up, incorporate, and adapt to new systems such as AI (artificial intelligence) platforms.
Users across Joburg share their personal experiences using AI language learning applications with: The Citizen After taking the time to attend online lessons. Observe whether AI learning-based applications like Duolingo become more effective than the classroom.
However, AI expert and technology commentator Johan Stein suggests that both can be used as complementary tools to uplift and further educate South Africans.
What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is a science-backed mobile assisted language learning (MALL) application available on any device that offers a variety of language courses to eager learners.
This mobile application uses AI capabilities to provide lessons in different languages and teaches users how to speak the language they want to learn.
According to Duolingo, “The company’s flagship app has naturally become the world’s most popular way to learn languages, and the top-grossing app in the education category on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.”
User response: “It’s a repeat”
Leslie Lombardo, a 22-year-old student from Benoni, said she tried to learn Russian using the Duolingo application for several months, but it wasn’t very effective in teaching Russian because she couldn’t learn much.
“I sometimes end up memorizing words because of the repetition.”
“The app is good for understanding repetition and sentence structure, but once you get through the modules, you tend to forget because you move on so quickly,” he says.
Despite practicing repeating words, Leslie is still unable to fully converse in the language. Anyway, even though he didn’t remember everything he learned, he memorized some of the words that came up during the lesson.
“i did it [downloaded the app to learn] because I[t] It was recommended. But to be honest, I would like the teacher to be present. I didn’t think it was as convenient as everyone said. ”
“It’s easy to fly under the radar.”
Natalia da Silva is a 23-year-old student from Grenanda who has been learning how to speak Portuguese with an application for about two and a half years now, three years ago.
Da Silva says she uses the Duolingo platform every day and can have conversations based on topics.
“Apps can help with understanding. It’s important to speak out loud as much as possible.”
For many people, installing this app is all about the convenience of being able to find lessons instantly while having your phone at hand.
You can also access language learning modules at your convenience.
Natalia says there are several reasons why she chose to learn through an app rather than booking classes and incurring additional travel costs.
“It basically costs nothing. My father is Portuguese, so there were days when I would surprise my parents, both then and now,” she said with a laugh.
This app is seen as a tool to quickly learn jargon and impress your colleagues, accessible at the tap of a button.
“So it’s easy to fly under the radar and use the app.”
Ease of use and ease of use
Nicola Baatjies is a 20-year-old student based in Booysens who has been taking continuous lessons on the app for 482 days. Baatjies has been studying Japanese since 2021. He says he practices every day, but only knows the basics.
“I know the basics of beginner-level conversations and asking for directions.”
“You can learn whenever and wherever you want. It takes the pressure off of learning from someone else and makes you feel comfortable making mistakes.”
If a user consistently participates in daily language practice, maintaining a streak can also be seen as a reward for the application’s consistency.
While using technology such as “Duolingo’s role-playing and answer explanation features” and advanced AI systems. This application provides engaging activities to teach learners the language of their interest.
AI learning or traditional classroom?
According to Johan Steyn, learning with apps like Duolingo is not an effective way to learn a language. It’s difficult to learn a language if you don’t speak it with people every day.
“I’ve wanted to learn Zulu all my life, and I’ve read books and watched videos.”
“But you don’t know that until you talk to people every day in the community.”
“It’s impossible to really learn a new language.”
Although he admits that he has not personally used the Duolingo application, he is aware of it and several other online education apps that are affordable, free, and similarly useful for certain aspects of language learning.
He says the app could be useful for learning basic greetings and etiquette when planning a trip to Italy.
“It will probably help you.”
“But personally, I don’t think you can really learn a language by learning online and not talking to people every day.”
AI as an additional learning tool
Stein suggests that it is important to incorporate both aspects of online learning programs as tools in addition to traditional education.
Especially in a society where there is a digital divide, high unemployment, and low literacy rates, among many other economic factors.
“Education is often very expensive and therefore not easily available to most people in rural areas.”
“And there are some ways that you can use AI and even YouTube and ChatGPT to really help educate yourself and your kids.”
He says that all you need is a fairly good data connection and a good mobile phone to be able to access these learning tools. But what about those who don’t?
“Now, just on those two points alone, half of the people in our country have already disrupted their lives, because people live in shacks. They have one mobile phone that’s 20 years old.”
“And the second thing is, do people know how to use it?”
Stein said there are also too many teachers in classrooms with about 40 or more children per class. These platforms serve as gateways to freely accessible information that can be used to improve learners and parents alike.
Advanced systems and tools for education
I mention an experience I had with my 12 year old son who is on the other end of the spectrum. My son has access to a good internet connection, along with knowledge about AI systems.
He created an agent in ChatGPT. “You could probably do that using other AI platforms like Gemini as well.”
“We have uploaded his course material from Google Classroom and we recognize that it is in our native language, Afrikaans.”
“It recognizes his age and teaches Socrates lessons through spoken dialogue.”
In other words, the answer is derived rather than just given. He created an example of using prompts to teach a geography course to sixth graders in two minutes.
“he[ the son] you can interrupt it [the AI agent] At any time, and it will explain the course to him. ”
He is then asked a series of 20 questions, and the AI agent informs him if he gets it wrong.
“No, this isn’t completely correct, but it’s a nice attempt. Why not think about this angle?”
Modern learning has now advanced to the point where students can take courses, and the AI capabilities available on the platform serve as complementary education alongside learning in a traditional classroom environment.
