Duolingo vs. Babbel: A detailed comparison

A guide to Duolingo vs. Babbel

Duolingo and Babbel are two of the most popular language learning apps around. Each app has revolutionized target language acquisition with cutting-edge technology. They’re a great way to supplement your language courses to continue your learning experience outside the classroom.

This unabridged article will help budding language learners understand both apps better and draw useful comparisons between them. Read to get our Babbel vs. Duolingo breakdown.

What is Duolingo?

Duolingo is an online-based language learning tool. It’s a digitalized, gamified method of learning foreign languages at different skill levels and ages. Owing to advanced algorithms, it adapts the materials to your specific needs to make your experience more effective.

You can download Duolingo as an app or use it directly from the website. The platform works on practically any device, making it highly accessible. This feature and the option to create avatars make your learning more interactive and immersive.

You can access and sign up for Duolingo by setting up a Chrome app, visiting the website, or downloading the app from App Store or Google Play. Teachers can also assign accounts for their students if they have the school version.

When you get started with Duolingo, you’ll be able to choose from over 36 languages, including:

• Spanish
• French
• German
• Portuguese
• Italian
• Russian
• Swedish
• Polish
• Korean
• Dutch
• Arabic

If you’re a novice, you can check out the basic lessons that introduce you to a new language without overwhelming you with unnecessary additional features. If you’re an advanced learner, you can take a test to determine a suitable starting point.

After developing an avatar, Duolingo requires you to navigate the gamification content to earn prizes like badges. For example, there are streak counts that give you experience points if you spend a certain number of days on the platform.

Your avatar profile contains your badges earned, and the flag icons display the different languages you’re learning. The game-style app also comes with gems you can spend to purchase cosmetic upgrades or change avatars.

Getting started with Duolingo: creating an account

To begin your language learning journey with Duolingo, visit www.duolingo.com or download the android app and sign up for a new account. If you already have a Duolingo account, simply log in using your existing credentials. You can also choose to sign up using your Facebook account for quick and easy access. In case you forget your password, the Duolingo Help Center provides step-by-step instructions to reset it and regain access to your account.

Embracing social media: connecting with the Duolingo community

Duolingo embraces the power of social media to foster connections among language learners worldwide. By joining Duolingo’s vibrant online community, learners can engage with fellow language enthusiasts, share their progress, and seek guidance from experienced users. Whether it’s through language exchange partnerships or participating in virtual events, the Duolingo community offers a supportive and motivating environment for language learners to connect and grow.

Supercharge your language learning: Duolingo plus

For those seeking additional features and benefits, Duolingo offers Duo lingo Plus, a subscription-based service. With super Duolingo Plus, users can enjoy an ad-free learning experience, offline access to lessons, and unlimited hearts to minimize interruptions during learning sessions. This premium offering enhances the convenience and flexibility of language learning, empowering users to make consistent progress at their own pace.

Language is a potent instrument for building connections and nurturing meaningful relationships. From the baby’s babble to adult discourse, the evolution of language forms a journey that molds our ability to connect with others. By embracing empathy, active listening, and nonverbal communication, we can foster trust, respect, and understanding in our interactions. Let’s celebrate the beauty and significance of language, for it is through words that we express our inner selves, share our experiences, and establish connections with the world around us.

Pros

• Gamified Learning: Duolingo incorporates gamification elements, making the language learning process engaging and enjoyable. It uses points, levels, and achievements to motivate users to progress in their language studies.
• Free to Use: Duolingo offers a free version that allows users to access a wide range of language courses without any cost. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious learners.
• User-Friendly Interface: The app has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and learn at their own pace. The lessons are structured in a clear and organized manner, allowing for seamless progression.
• Mobile Accessibility: Duolingo is available as a mobile app, allowing users to learn languages on the go. This flexibility enables learners to practice anytime, anywhere, making it convenient for those with busy schedules.

Cons

• Limited Speaking Practice: Duolingo primarily focuses on reading, writing, and listening skills, with limited emphasis on speaking. While it provides some speaking exercises, they may not offer sufficient practice for learners who aim to develop their conversational abilities.
• Lack of Personalized Learning: The app follows a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not cater to individual learning styles and preferences. Customization options are limited, and some learners may require additional resources or specific language content.
• Less Comprehensive Grammar Instruction: Duolingo places less emphasis on explicit grammar explanations. While it introduces grammar concepts, it may not provide in-depth explanations or examples, which can be challenging for learners who prefer a more structured approach to grammar learning.
• Limited Language Options: Although Duolingo offers a variety of languages, the selection may not be as extensive as some other language learning platforms. Learners looking for less commonly taught languages may find a limited range of courses available.

What is Babbel?

Babbel is a language-learning app built in 2007. This platform is one of the first software programs to pioneer online language learning. It provides 14 languages English speakers can learn, including the following:

• Russian
• Swedish
• Japanese
• Turkish
• Portuguese
• Spanish
• German

You shouldn’t have trouble using Babbel, even if you’re a beginner. After signing up for an account, the platform offers suggestions for selecting a language, determines the level, and provides other helpful tips.

The most impressive feature of Babbel lessons might be their unique design. It doesn’t use generic sentences, tutorials, or quizzes that make many language learners less motivated.

Instead, the developers take the time to individualize the learning style. This means when studying languages on the platform, you actually learn words used by native speakers. Plus, the language app covers topics that are likely to come up when communicating in native languages.

How to Get Started with Babbel

To kick-start your language learning journey with Babbel, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official Babbel website at www.babbel.com.
2. Click on the “Get Started” or “Sign Up” button to create a new account.
3. Babbel offers a range of languages to choose from. Select the language you want to learn.
4. Next, you will be prompted to create an account using your email address and a password. Fill in the required information and click “Sign Up.”
5. Babbel may ask you a few questions to determine your language learning goals and proficiency level.
6. Once you’ve set up your account, you can access Babbel’s interactive lessons designed to improve your language skills.
7. Babbel offers a personalized learning experience with exercises, dialogues, and interactive quizzes.

Pros

• Structured and Comprehensive Approach: Babbel provides well-structured lessons that cover various aspects of language learning, including vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, and writing. This approach offers a more comprehensive learning experience.
• Focus on Practical Conversational Skills: Babbel aims to help learners develop practical language skills that can be applied in real-life situations. It focuses on teaching conversational phrases and dialogues, making it suitable for learners who want to quickly communicate in a new language.
• Speech Recognition Technology: Babbel incorporates speech recognition technology to help users improve their pronunciation. This feature provides instant feedback, allowing learners to refine their speaking skills.
• Cultural Insights: Babbel integrates cultural insights into its lessons, offering learners a deeper understanding of the target language’s customs, traditions, and nuances. This aspect enhances cultural competence alongside language proficiency.

Cons

• Subscription-Based Model: Unlike Duolingo’s free version, Babbel operates on a subscription-based model, requiring users to pay for access to the full range of language courses. This may deter budget-conscious learners or those looking for free resources.
• Limited Gamification Elements: While Babbel provides interactive exercises, it has fewer gamification elements compared to Duolingo. Some learners may find the learning experience less engaging without the same level of gamified incentives.
• Less Language Variety: Babbel offers fewer language options compared to Duolingo, especially for less commonly taught languages. This limited selection may not cater to learners interested in specific or less popular languages.
• Less Community Interaction: Unlike Duolingo’s vibrant community features, Babbel focuses more on individual learning. It offers less social interaction or language exchange opportunities within the app, which can be a drawback for learners seeking a sense of community or language practice partners.

Comparing the two leading language-learning apps

Both Duolingo and Babbel are high-quality apps with many features to help you learn real-life communication in your target language. Let’s take a closer look at how they work.

Approach to learning

The biggest difference between Babbel and Duolingo is the approach to language learning. Babbel is a better option if you want traditional language instructions through modules and lessons. By contrast, Duolingo works great if you need a playful, gamified experience.

Grammar

When it comes to grammar lessons, most people find Babbel superior to Duolingo. Babbel incorporates exercise right into the lessons, whereas Duolingo doesn’t prioritize them.

That’s not to say that Babbel overwhelms you with grammar. Instead, it takes a subtle approach to tenses, conjugations, and other key elements to ease you into the learning process. This is especially important at an early stage when learning a new language.

Live lessons

Duolingo doesn’t provide live classes. On the other hand, the Babbel app runs numerous small-group live lessons every week across various learning levels. The one-hour sessions cover a variety of topics, such as medicine, traffic, and travel destinations.

These live language lessons introduce you to new words in context to improve your retention.

Flexibility

Both apps offer flexibility in terms of platform compatibility. You can use them on any device.

However, Babbel is more flexible when it comes to customizing lessons. It allows you to cycle between courses and levels, so there are no strict progressions.

Conversely, Duolingo dictates the order in which you do modules. New lessons are only active after you complete previous ones. Alternatively, some modules let you “test out” and skip some classes.

Lessons structure

Babbel and Duolingo have similar lesson structures.

The classes are short (5-10 minutes) and involve a series of interactive quick-hit tasks. They include the following exercises:

• Listening drills
• Matching pairs
• Fill-in-the-blank exercises
• Verbal practice
• Writing complete sentences
• Finishing mock conversations
• Matching pairs

Additional resources

Duolingo beats Babbel in certain aspects, such as additional content. The app gives you access to many extra resources:

• Short stories for improving listening, reading, and speaking skills
• Forums to communicate with other users and students
• Regular podcasts
• Voice recognition
• Translation dictionary

As previously mentioned, the mobile app also delivers a game-like experience. After completing each lesson, the platform gives you experience and Lingots or Gems (Duolingo currency). You can use your Lingots or Gems to buy items from the app’s store or reward other people.

Again, Babbel is a better choice if you’re looking for a conventional approach to online learning, as it includes flashcards and other traditional materials.

Price

Babbel has a free version that lets you listen to 30-80 lessons for free. There are also four monthly subscription plans:

• One month—$13.95
• Three months—$9.95 per month
• Six months—$8.45 per month
• 12 months—$6.95 per month

In contrast, Duolingo is completely free. There’s a paid version, too, called Duolingo Plus that goes for $6.99 and has a three-day free trial. Duolingo Plus offers all the same lessons as the free version of Duolingo, but it gives you extra perks like unlimited hearts.

Reimagining the power of language to forge relationships

Language extends beyond merely being an apparatus for relaying information; it is a mechanism that engenders a mutual sense of trust, respect, and empathy in our interactions. Through effective communication, we have the capacity to create enduring bonds that surpass physical and temporal boundaries. Successful communication is not solely about the exchange of information, but rather the cultivation of a common understanding and a sense of unity between the interlocutors. It is about forging connections, enhancing a sense of communal identity, and fostering a sense of belonging.

The significance of empathy in dialogue

At the core of successful communication lies empathy. When we genuinely listen to others, we strive to comprehend their viewpoints, emotions, and necessities. This understanding allows us to empathize with them profoundly, validating their experiences and thereby fostering trust and respect in our relationships. Empathy involves more than just appreciating someone else’s perspective; it’s also about recognizing and affirming their emotions. It fosters a supportive and secure environment where individuals feel seen, acknowledged, and valued.

Active listening: A pathway to comprehension

To truly connect with others, we must first master the art of active listening. This involves being attentive to the words of others and responding in a manner that demonstrates our engagement in the conversation. Active listening includes posing questions, reflecting on the discourse, and recognizing the speaker’s emotions and experiences. It’s not merely about the auditory experience, but about discerning the implicit message and the underlying emotions. It means being fully immersed in the moment and dedicating our undivided attention to the other person.

Nonverbal communication: Communication beyond the spoken word

Language isn’t confined to words. Nonverbal cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, are pivotal in the way we connect with others. Through awareness of these signals, we can better interpret the emotions and feelings underpinning the spoken words, and respond in a manner that shows our attunement to the speaker’s needs. Nonverbal communication is a potent tool for forging connections and establishing rapport. It involves both an understanding of our own nonverbal cues and the ability to interpret and react to those of others.

The role of language development in early childhood

Language development is integral to a child’s capacity to connect with others and navigate their world. From their initial utterances to the development of more sophisticated language skills, young children embark on a journey of communication and connection. Language allows them to express their needs, convey their thoughts and emotions, and build relationships with those around them. Even in infancy, children engage in ‘baby babble’, a precursor to language acquisition characterized by repetitive syllables and sounds, as they explore and experiment with their vocal capabilities. This forms a natural and crucial component of their language development journey.

Deciphering the etymology of “babble”

The term “babble” traces back to the Middle English word “babelen,” which implied incoherent speech or prattle. Imitatively originated, the term mimics the sounds typically associated with nonsensical speech. Over time, “babble” has come to describe both incoherent speech and the sound of flowing water, as in a babbling brook.

Exploring synonyms and related terms

Synonyms for “babble” encompass words such as “gabble,” “gibberish,” and “blather,” typically used to denote speech devoid of coherence or meaning. Additionally, “prattle” is analogous to babble and refers to the idle talk often associated with young children. Within the context of language development, prattle represents an essential step toward more sophisticated communication abilities.

Connecting language development and babel

An intriguing connection exists between language development and the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. In the tale, a tower reaching the heavens was attempted, but humanity was dispersed due to the confusion of languages. This mythological narrative underscores the importance of language as a means of connection and communication.

Babble in Danish and Swedish contexts

In Danish, “babble” translates to “babble” or “bable,” while in Swedish, it translates to “babbla,” “babbler,” or “babbelen.” These linguistic variations reflect the vast diversity of languages and their contributions to expressing human connections.

Defining Babble: “Babble” is defined as the act of speaking or producing sounds in a rapid and incoherent manner. It can also describe the sound of gently flowing water or the murmur of background voices. Babble can serve as both a noun and a verb, representing various forms of incoherent speech or noise.

Word of the day: “babble”

The word of the day is “babble,” denoting the act of speaking or producing sounds rapidly and incoherently. The term hails from the Middle English “babelen” and is imitative, mimicking the sounds commonly associated with nonsensical speech. Babble can also describe the gurgling sound of flowing water or the murmur of background voices. Its synonyms include “gurgle,” “blab,” “ˈbæbəl,” and “babiller.” To broaden our vocabulary, we can consult a thesaurus for additional synonyms and related words.

Language and technology: Enhancing language learning with Duolingo and Babbel

In today’s digital age, language learning has been revolutionized by technology. Mobile applications like Duolingo and Babbel have emerged as powerful tools for individuals seeking to learn a new language. Available on both Android and iOS platforms, the Duolingo app offers bite-sized lessons and interactive exercises, making language learning accessible and engaging. Whether you are an absolute beginner or looking to enhance your existing language skills, Duolingo provides a user-friendly experience that adapts to your proficiency level.

Duolingo for schools: Empowering educators and students

Recognizing the importance of language learning in educational settings, Duolingo has developed a dedicated platform called Duolingo for Schools. This platform enables educators to create virtual classrooms, monitor students’ progress, and assign specific language learning tasks. With its intuitive interface and engaging animations, Duolingo for Schools makes language learning a fun and collaborative experience for students of all ages.

Unlocking opportunities: Duolingo english test

In addition to language learning, Duolingo offers the Duolingo English Test, a proficiency exam designed to assess English language skills. Recognized by educational institutions and organizations worldwide, the Duolingo English Test provides a convenient and accessible way for individuals to demonstrate their English proficiency for academic or professional purposes. With its online format and rigorous assessment criteria, the test has become an increasingly popular choice for international students and professionals.

Solidify your language skills with Speechify

Besides Duolingo and Babbel, you can use many other platforms to boost language learning. One of them is Speechify.

As a text to speech (TTS) software, Speechify can improve your proofreading by reading digital texts aloud and highlighting key points as it goes. It also narrates your content in immersive voices, allowing you to focus on the meaning of the content and not pronunciation.

Check out how Speechify can help you pick up new languages by trying the platform for free!

FAQs

Are Duolingo or Babbel better than Rosetta Stone?

Rosetta Stone is a great learning app, but Babbel and Duolingo are typically better due to their unique elements and approaches to language teaching.

Why has Duolingo changed in 2022?

In 2022, the developers have updated the Duolingo home screen to make it more convenient for the user. It’s the most significant change to date.

What languages is Babbel available in?

Babbel is available in 14 languages, including Spanish, English, and Dutch.

What is the best language learning app?

The best language learning apps include Babbel, Duolingo, Memrise, FluentU, and Busuu.

What is the most popular language on Duolingo?

Most people use Duolingo to learn Spanish.