Digital Learning and Gamification. The Usage of Duolingo for Students

Seminar paper from the year 2021 in the subject Pedagogy - School Pedagogics, grade: 1,7, University of Wuppertal (Anglistik/Amerikanistik), course: Digital EFL Learning, language: English, abstract: This term paper aims to answer this question by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of Duolingo for students in schools in- and outside the classroom, while also analyzing the gamified mechanics of the application, as they are a core element of the learning experience. Structurally, this paper first looks at the topic of gamification. Secondly, Duolingo and its gamified mechanics are introduced, followed by an analysis of how well the app is suited for students, discussing advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, a summary of the findings and a conclusion will be presented. In recent years, language learning apps have become increasingly popular. Due to the omnipresence of smartphones, it has become easier than ever to start learning a new language just by downloading an application. An important reason, why these "apps" have turned the otherwise tedious task of language learning into a popular free time activity is their ease of use. Many of these apps are relying on gamified mechanics, which can make the process of language learning generally more fun, keeping learners engaged and motivated. Especially the language learning program "Duolingo" relies heavily on gamification, which might be one of the reasons why Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning applications. However, even with its popularity, is Duolingo also the best-suited language learning app for all learners?