Duolingo is serious about giving you everything you need to actually speak your new language. That’s why our Efficacy Research Lab runs rigorous studies to make sure our teaching tools are helping learners reach their goals.
Our Video Call feature, designed for conversation practice, helps you wherever you are in your language learning journey! Here’s how we know.
It helps beginners ease into speaking
Starting to speak a new language can feel intimidating—but the right support makes all the difference. In Video Calls with Falstaff, learners get supportive, guided practice to learn useful phrases for conversation.
In our study of French and Spanish early beginners, learners who used Video Call with Falstaff were better at speaking useful conversation phrases than those who didn’t.
In other words, it helps to practice speaking as soon as you start your learning journey, and Video Call makes that easier.
It builds real-world skills for intermediate learners
As you progress in your language learning journey, Video Call with Lily gives you open-ended conversation practice to prepare for real-world interactions.
We studied Japanese speakers learning intermediate English (Duolingo Score 60–71), comparing learners who used Video Call at least twice a day with those who stuck to regular lessons. After a month, learners who practiced with Lily improved more on a standardized speaking test than those who didn’t use Video Call.
In a nutshell, chats with Lily = stronger overall speaking skills!
It boosts your confidence along the way
Speaking isn’t just about skill—it’s also about confidence.
In another study, we looked at English speakers learning early intermediate Spanish (Duolingo Score 45–55). Learners who did Video Calls with Lily showed greater improvement in speaking and reported higher confidence compared to those who only did regular lessons.
With regular practice, learners who chat with Lily don’t just get better—they also feel more confident speaking up.
Practice that grows with you
No matter where you are in your language journey, Video Call is designed to help you speak better and feel more confident. From your first phrases to full conversations, it’s all about building skills you can use in the real world.
And we’re not stopping there. We’re constantly improving how we teach speaking, so stay tuned for what’s next!