Board 8 > Duolingo just overhauled their whole learning system

(+) Yeah! (+)

Previously each language has a bunch of different modules (for example "School", "Past Perfect", "Making a Plan", etc.). Each unit has several levels to them, and each level has several lessons. For example, you may need to do 4 lessons in "Past Perfect" to attain level 1, do 4 more to get to level 2, and so on.

The units are also categorized to different levels depending on how advanced the material is.

Parallel to that, there are stories that we can read and answer several questions throughout (usually relating to vocabulary, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension rather than grammar).
So there's some freedom in which unit you want to tackle first.

Now the learning path is designed linearly like FF XIII.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/2/AAMZFVAAD4IW.jpg

This also comes after their push for monetization with Duolingo Super or whatever.

I find the monetization changes a bit annoying, especially since we can't skip a level by taking a test. And, yeah, ads. I guess they need to make money somehow but it'll take some time getting used to. And the subscription price is pretty expensive as well.

And other Duolingo user here? What do you think of the recent changes?

You cant test out any more?

Sad but unsurprising. I thought duolingo was unusually good for a free app so not surprised it just got worse

Let me know when they switch to a Sphere Grid

i want to jump from midway through Spanish to a lesson 1/4 through German

MoogleKupo141 posted...

Let me know when they switch to a Sphere Grid

i want to jump from midway through Spanish to a lesson 1/4 through German

Nah that's a bad route. A bit ahead of that split you can cut to early Russian and then late Tagalog. Much better synergy

Wow that is way more overwhelming. You can skip ahead though, I just did it.

I'm a Duo user

This is the first I'm hearing of this. I'm confused!

I have the app but haven't used it in weeks. Guess I'll use it tomorrow to see if I like the changes or not.

I started using Duolingo a month and a half ago and this is the only version I've ever seen. The app can be pretty annoying but it's a free way to learn some language.

I hate the changes. It not only messed with my progression but it also limits your learning so you have less options than before. Plus, the UX is worse since you can't even see what things are at a glance.

It randomly forced the new update on me the fifth or sixth time I clicked on the app. I haven't tried it since. I tend to be averse to change but I'm going to give this a chance. I'll let you know how much I dislike or loathe it by tomorrow.

Lol, nvm they're taking a maintenence break right now so I can't even do my daily lesson. Gee I wonder why...

Raka_Putra posted...

And other Duolingo user here? What do you think of the recent changes?

I haven't seen this yet but they have done complete overhaul in the past. the way they handle it usually really, really sucks. I remember when one of my courses was overhauled I lost progress toward a lot of my existing lessons even though many of them were simply reshuffled into other levels or combined/edited into new lessons that categorized things differently.

It did seem to somehow arbitrarily decide that I had already gained credit toward some things -- resulting in me randomly having completed lessons at inconsistent nodes throughout the first few levels -- but there were some nodes containing extremely basic information I had already mastered and didn't get credit before because they were now considered new lessons. also some of the lessons they had given me credit for completing seemed to have contained information that I had NOT actually learned yet, but had simply been combined with a lesson that I had previously finished.

short answer, the whole thing was a mess and almost caused me to drop the platform entirely.

if this overhaul is handled the same way I might not even bother with duolingo in the future. it's mostly only good as a memory aide to help with external (better) sources of learning anyway, and there exist alternatives in that market. although I wouldn't know the current best competitors I could likely find out with only a little research.

It's great seeing a lot of people with varying familiarity with the app here. For newcomers, do you think the way the courses are structured makes sense?

foolm0r0n posted...

You can skip ahead though, I just did it.

Oops, that's right, I just tried it. But now you skip a whole bunch of different, bite-sized modules. Which is... an interesting approach indeed.

MariaTaylor posted...

it's mostly only good as a memory aide to help with external (better) sources of learning anyway, and there exist alternatives in that market

Yeah, this is my conclusion as well.