e-CAL - e-Coaching et Apprentissage des Langues

e-Coaching et Apprentissage des Langues /N° de projet : 2015-1-FR01-KA204-015334
3.4. Thematic Area Resources
Describe the solution from the perspective of eCAL
The language-learning website and app offer over 50 different language courses across 23
languages; almost 30 additional courses are in development. The app is available on iOS, Android
and Windows 8 and 10 platforms with over 100 million registered users across the world. It
satisfies many of the criteria related to an OER learning as listed above (Multilingual learning
resources, Reviewed resources, User-created lessons, User-created vocabulary lists,etc.).
Other important aspects are as per follows:
Motivation
The whole system of learning itself is highly motivating , it is the model of gradual improvement,
monitoring of the learning skills and the feedback. There are also some minor motivating aspects,
e. g. the fast tests allowing to pass a lesson easily, the limited attempts for a lesson or test, which
means the limited possibilities to make a mistake during completing a lesson or test. One of the
newest actualization is a Duolingo coach, which like a virtual teacher reminds a learner via email,
follows the course of learning, praises or admonishes. These aspects may seem to be unimportant,
but right these they are the ones that make Duolingo different from the others learning portals.
The extremely high level of motivation, however, is represented by the possibility of interaction
and communication. Duolingo as a communicative learning model enables to share the experience
and knowledge with peers and friends via social networks. By login with Facebook or twitter to see
how learner’s friends continue, compare or compete. Also at the homepage when a user is logged
there is a possibility to see friends who are following or preceeding a learner. The ability to
translate real-life content and stories has proven to be a strong factor in helping users remember
what's learned. The next point regarding motivation is it can be uploaded to a computer and
available offline, now the high level of motivation especially for the young learners is represented
by the availability at modern communication devices. It is possible to learn also on the new
technological advances such as iPad or iPhone or tablets and smartphones, which is highly popular
these days.
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Modern communication devices
For a learner there is an option to ask for a link for their kind of device right through the
Duolingo, consequently the link will be send by email.
In conclusion Duolingo has the ability to immerse a learner in language learning and make him
addicted to it. “Language gamification”, which forces a learner to spend his/her gametime effectively
and make something productive. The ability to attract the attention to learning languages, and thus to
mediate a step to a kind of further language learning is seen as the most beneficial feature of
Duolingo. Another aspect appreciated by the users in public discussions on the web is the continuous
and quite rapid development of the learning portal as well as the attention to all the little details. Then
the feedback system is evaluated as a very active tool providing a prompt answers or help. In general
the people like it. An overwhelming majority of users, who visited and tired this websites, are very
enthusiastic about it. Many different opinions read on the Internet confirm the effectiveness of
learning and demonstrate that the incentive system for learning on Duolingo is established very well.
Resources http://www.fluentin3months.com/duolingo/
Assessment *of the solution found in the area Resources
Clarity:To what extent the outcomes are systematically worked through, coherent and clearly 4
developed?
Credibility:To what extent the methodological approaches are plausible and justified? 4
Contribution: To what extent the outcome adds to knowledge and/or practice of an issue or 4