According to Luis von Ahn, the creator of the free language app DuoLingo, there are now more people using his tool to learn a new language than there are enrolled in the entire US public school system. Since its launch in 2012, the app, which gamifies education, has attracted over 30 million subscribers to its user-friendly programme. Advancements in educational technology have revolutionised access to learning and have made language learning more accessible to those who had previously been unable to embrace it. Von Ahn believed that free access to language learning was essential to allow those who could not afford it the opportunity to learn. This was a direct response to his own experiences growing up in Guatemala where he witnessed first hand how many people who were attempting to learn English failed, owing to a lack of funds.

Language learning has traditionally been the preserve of the elite. However, the growth in mobile language apps and other interactive software, means that more affordable ways to learn are now available. The British Council predicts that by 2020, roughly 2 billion people around the globe will be studying English. The use of online language learning means that users are now able to more readily access native-speaking tutors who they might once have been unable to access due to geography or finances. Both italki, provider of online lessons with tutors from around the world, and Rosetta Stone, the veteran language learning software provider, are investing in complementary apps to their existing product lines.

Von Ahn believes that the app format has an unexpected benefit, in that it attracts an audience needing a break from daily chores, who might not necessarily be language learners. He said: "They’re still procrastinating from something else, but at least it’s somewhat useful. The truth of the matter is that learning a language takes months or years. We have to find a way to keep them interested and that’s where the gamification came in."

While technological progress has yielded opportunities for many more people to access learning, it still remains to be seen whether apps and online platforms can truly replace the benefits of classroom learning. Von Ahn believes that while it is certainly possible to achieve a basic level of competency, the practise would not produce great writers. Similarly, Donavan Whyte of Rosetta Stone maintains that online learning requires significant discipline and dedication on the part of the learner.

According to Whyte and Chen, online tools are most effective when utilized as part of a comprehensive learning strategy. Chen asserts that education should stem from various sources to cater to each student’s unique learning style. To this end, italki sees itself as just a fragment of a larger ecosystem.

The Guardian has undertaken a language-learning challenge to determine if it is possible to learn solely using online tools. Over the next six weeks, three writers will learn a different language using various language-learning technologies. Matt Hambly will learn French with Rosetta Stone, Alan Haburchak will use DuoLingo to learn Spanish, and Anna Parkin will learn Russian with a Skype tutor.

Although fluency isn’t expected, we aim to find out if they can acquire a fundamental understanding of a new language, and how self-guided, tech-based learning proves to be for them. Follow their journey in our language-learning series or track their progress on Twitter using the hashtag #LearnALanguageOnline.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.