Duolingo is a popular smartphone application for learning languages, it is so popular that its English tests are now accepted by some universities across the world for admission!
Recently, there has been criticism by some universities, students accepted after passing the Duolingo English test don’t have adequate English language skills; this makes it difficult for them to participate in the lectures or understand what is being taught.
The full article is here https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230321094653959
Cheats and theorists
This failing could be because of several reasons: The Duolingo English Test level is too low. The student cheated as the test is taken online. The student is excellent at passing tests and theoretical English but cannot apply it in real life situations.
I am not discrediting Duolingo, some universities who know better than I do value Duolingo’s test results. I think it’s more to do with the latter two reasons, cheaters, and theorists.
Cheating yourself
People will do anything to get what they want, including cheating, this can get you so far but it will most likely catch you out later, like failing a university degree.
As for people who are good at tests and theoretical English, you will go far but not always the way you want. Remembering facts and rules are great but if you can’t apply them, it’s only theory.
Seen and not heard
Imagine a person who can read music and compose a symphony but cannot play an instrument. Reading and writing skills are good but language is spoken and heard too. Is this a problem for some of the Duolingo students?
I would consider using smartphone applications as an excellent supplement to other learning methods. If your learning goal is English conversation, you need to interact with people, you need to converse! Human interaction in classes is the most direct and immediate way to do that.
Knowing the English language to pass tests is only half the story, learning how to apply that knowledge is the full conversation.
*****お知らせ*****
【ご自身が英語でコミュニケーションを取れているかどうか】を知りたい方、
【ご自身の英語のコミュニケーションの改善点】を知りたい方はお問合せから
【無料英語コミュニケーション力ミニ診断】と件名にご記入いただき、ご連絡ください。
毎月先着３名様のみ受付中です！
ー オンライン英語コミュニケーションプログラム ー
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションをあなたらしい英語で。一人一人のレベル、能力、
興味に合った教材や方法を用いたテイラーメイドの英語コミュニケーションプログラムです。
”あなたの英語”でコミュニケートしたい方は、まずは無料カウンセリングをご予約ください。
