When a restaurant dishwasher uses Duolingo to earn a promotion, or a paramedic practices French between calls, something powerful is happening at work: connection.
Across industries, HR and L&D leaders know that communication drives inclusion, engagement, and measurable growth. Organizations are turning to Duolingo for Business to strengthen culture and empower their people.
Today, hundreds of organizations provide Super Duolingo to their employees, helping them learn new languages and connect across cultures—building confidence, collaboration, and results that last.
Here are five inspiring stories that demonstrate how language learning helps employees grow, advance their careers, and strengthen the communities they serve.
Language as a pathway to career growth
bartaco: confidence that fuels career growth
At bartaco, a beach-inspired restaurant brand with 30+ locations, connection is part of the company’s DNA. In a fast-paced environment where back-of-house and front-of-house teams work side by side, communication is key to keeping that culture strong.
To bridge language barriers and help employees grow, bartaco turned to Duolingo for Business.
“The best thing about Duolingo is its accessibility,” said Scott Rodney, Director of HR & Payroll. “It’s not just sitting in a class for an hour—it’s quick, 5-10-minute lessons that fit into our team members’ schedules. Whether they’re at work or at home, they can keep learning.”
That flexibility is paying off. “One team member started using Duolingo in October 2024,” Scott shared. “Within just seven months, they went from dishwasher to line cook. We had an amazing conversation in English about how Duolingo gave them the confidence to ask for more opportunities and achieve more.”
And it’s not just one story. Employees across locations are using Duolingo to strengthen teamwork and communication. “It’s incredible to see the excitement,” Scott added. “This is a life-changing benefit—we’re already hearing stories of employees who feel more confident at work and in their personal lives.”
For bartaco, language learning is about creating a culture where every team member feels seen, supported, and capable of more.
Inclusion starts with communication
Giant Eagle: building inclusion through language
Inclusion starts with being understood by your team, your customers, and your community. That belief drives Giant Eagle, a regional grocery and pharmacy chain in the United States with more than 470 stores. Through its Employee Resource Group, H.O.L.A. (Hispanic or Latinx Organization for Leadership Advancement), the company partnered with Duolingo for Business to help team members connect with customers and one another.
“Each Giant Eagle location has a unique customer base that reflects the local community,” the company shared. “We want guests to see themselves represented in our stores—and in the team members who serve them.”
What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a broader inclusion strategy. Language learning has improved communication across departments and with customers. “Duolingo meets our team where they are,” one H.O.L.A. member said. “Lessons are delivered in small increments, so they don’t have to set aside large amounts of time.”
One store leader reached out with a request: Could a team leader use Duolingo to strengthen his English, since Mandarin was his first language? He soon became one of the most consistent in the program. This learner shared, “I found the app to be very beneficial. It helped with my pronunciation, and I find it easier to communicate with coworkers. I am now able to answer phone calls with customers for orders. I can understand more English because of Duolingo.”
Inclusion isn’t just a value for Giant Eagle; it’s a business driver. “A culture of inclusion and belonging, based on respect for all people, is the right thing to do,” the company said. “It’s also a critical path to innovation and business success.”
Continental Floral Greens: where inclusion takes root
Continental Floral Greens is a leading supplier of fresh, farm-grown greenery for florists, retailers, and event designers. Inspired by nature, the company brings the same care it shows the land to the people who make its growth possible.
When Ramony Arcadia began learning English, her inspiring journey sparked something much bigger: a company-wide embrace of language learning. She started out packing boxes, and while learning English through Duolingo, she rose to become a branch manager. Today, she leads her team with confidence and is now the voice of Continental Floral Greens’ company video.
“About 80% of our employees are Spanish-speaking,” said Madison Milgard, Brand Director. “Duolingo is helping foster inclusion and respect in ways that feel really authentic.”
That enthusiasm spread fast. Employees began practicing in meetings and check-ins, holding friendly challenges between branches, and even creating a bilingual company cookbook. “Our teams remind each other to keep their streaks going,” Madison added. “It’s become part of our culture.”
The company’s CEO models that commitment too, maintaining a 300+ day streak as a reminder that growth and curiosity start at the top. “Duolingo is helping us create a more inclusive and connected team,” Madison said. “It’s simple, it’s effective, and our people genuinely enjoy using it.”
Effective learning through fun and flexibility
City of Ottawa: access for every learner, service for every resident
In Ottawa, where nearly half the population is bilingual, language is more than a skill—it’s how the city serves its people. Since introducing Duolingo for Business in 2022, Irina Goundareva and her Corporate Learning and Development Team have provided language learning access for employees across the city—from engineers to bus operators to paramedics, from rail operators to customer service officers, and beyond.
“We serve a beautifully diverse city,” Irina said. “And that means recognizing different backgrounds and schedules. Not everyone has the bandwidth to attend formal classes,” she explained. “We needed something that meets people where they are.”
That flexibility transformed training across departments. “Duolingo lets employees practice from any location, whenever it works for them,” Irina said. “That flexibility is what makes it equitable.”
Employees have embraced the model, with one learner proudly maintaining more than a 700-day streak and others sharing that it’s the “most consistent” language learning they’ve ever had access to. As Irina put it, “It’s helping us reach learners we otherwise couldn’t.”
Space Center Houston: where teamwork takes off
Space Center Houston, a leading science and space exploration museum and the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is Houston’s top destination for international visitors. To make those experiences more inclusive, the team launched Language Explorers, a Duolingo-powered program that helps staff connect with visitors across languages and cultures.
“It’s been incredible to watch the team rally around learning,” said Aubrey Garmon, Volunteer Coordinator. “We host Duolingo mixers where crew members exchange usernames, and we run friendly streak challenges—it’s brought everyone closer.”
The team has turned learning into a social and exciting team-building experience. Monthly “Duo Challenges” pair up employees to compete for XP (experience points), while “streak weeks” and small prizes keep motivation high. “Our staff love seeing their progress—and a little friendly competition makes it fun,” Aubrey said.
Team members now apply what they learn in real time. “Because of my lessons, I can assist Spanish-speaking guests at the ticket booth and main entrance,” one employee shared. “Even though my Spanish is still developing, guests are so appreciative when we speak their language.”
Space Center Houston offers a valuable lesson: Make learning visible, communal, and rewarding—and it becomes part of the culture.
Duolingo turns learning into lasting impact
Across these organizations, and so many others, one truth stands out: Language opens doors and helps teams understand one another in new ways.
Duolingo for Business makes that connection simple and scalable, helping leaders turn inclusion into impact. When employees feel understood, they stay, thrive, and bring that sense of belonging to everyone they serve.
Your team’s story could be next—see how Duolingo for Business can help you grow. 💚