Learning English with the mobile language learning application 'Duolingo': the experiences of three working adults at different proficiency levels

Abstract

Duolingo, one of the most popular mobile applications for English learning, has been studied extensively to assess the effectiveness of Duolingo-Assisted Language Learning (DALL). However, most studies have focused on learning outcomes, few have discussed the learning process, and even fewer have investigated working adults. Accordingly, the present study investigated the DALL experiences of three Chinese working adults who graduated from colleges and continued to learn English for various purposes. The three who were at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels had been learning English with Duolingo for a month. Throughout this month, they reported their learning experiences through think-aloud protocols and reflective learning logs, after which they were interviewed. The results indicated that the basic-level learner used more strategies than the intermediate- and advanced-level learners, which enriched the literature. All three participants showed generally positive perceptions of Duolingo. They moved up to higher course levels after one-month Duolingo learning, indicating that language learners may consider using Duolingo for self-access language learning.