Duolingo is quite terrible at teaching a language. It gives absolutely no context of grammar or conjugation besides what it beats into you through repetition. Don't get me started on their "pronunciation recognition".

It is pretty much only valuable as flashcardish games for vocabulary building.

Babel is expensive, but much better.

Actually textbooks are even better if you are dedicated to learn, but of course the best is a combination of that and a language partner and native person to talk with.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I really dislike Duolingo, but I found it good for the basics

[–] nigga@lemmy.id 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I started too with vocabulary, but grammar for sentence creation is a problem. The logic for word formation and expressions are so complex. German is one of the type of languages where you need logical stimulus with emotions in sentences.

And that thing where most German words have a couple of different meanings... God damn, it's like I'm re-learning Russian, which has the same stuff going on with different type of logic.

English is as easy as candy from a girl.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Russian is a PITA and I say that as someone who just wanted to learn a couple phrases to help with gaming. At least I can say spasibo though 😌

Regarding Duolingo, I would really love to find something else to recommend to people. Once people know the basics, I like to recommend Clozemaster, but I'm yet to find stabilizer wheels for getting them going.

[–] nigga@lemmy.id 1 points 8 months ago

Never liked DuoLingo 👍🏻