Imagine that - it’s been 2000 days, or about five and a half years, since I started learning languages on Duolingo, and I haven't missed a single day!
To my greatest joy, Duolingo finally updated the German course. I’m no longer spinning my wheels with repetitive revision exercises or struggling to learn through English and DeepL. Now, there are actual structured units and vocabulary nests; working with the app finally makes sense and yields real progress.
So much so, that I now listen to German podcasts every day and feel comfortable enough to understand most of what is said - with the caveat, of course, that it depends on the topic, vocabulary, and speed of speech. I also read simpler books, like chick lit, almost without a dictionary. I've been listening to audiobooks too, though the frustration there is higher; my comprehension level is lower, and I still need to acquire a lot more word stock to feel comfortable, especially with authors who have an extensive vocabulary.
However, I have to admit that, as with any foreign language, the abyss between my passive and active knowledge is enormous - and only growing. Without active usage, my speaking skills lag significantly behind, and an app like Duolingo can do little to help with that.
To counter this, I’ve introduced something new to my routine lately: I’ve started writing down all of the exercises and using the stories as dictation practice. I also record myself reading the exercises on my phone, then test myself by translating the sentences or new words. It takes much longer to finish a unit this way, but the goal isn't to rush ahead or collect points. I am actively ignoring the gamification part of the app, focusing instead on vocabulary and the few grammatical structures the app provides. I'm not stressing too much about grammar, since I covered the basics years ago; now, I just need to build my vocabulary and polish how I apply those grammar rules in actual speech.
Where do I stand on getting certified? I still haven't gotten around to it, but I am considering taking a B1 level exam once I feel comfortable enough. For now, I'm just enjoying my morning coffee and homemade cake alongside my daily dose of Duolingo. One little step at a time - on a long journey that is already well underway.
