Hit 500 days in my Duolingo streak and then realized I barely remember any Spanish

I was so proud of that number until I tried to order food at a taqueria last week and the guy just switched to English after I stumbled through 'quiero' - has anyone else wasted that much time on a streak that means nothing?

2 comments

2 Comments

webb.christopher19d ago

Does the app even test you on speaking or is it just multiple choice and typing? I bet you can read it way better than you can speak it.

ryan_stone19d ago

Wow, wait a minute - are you serious? You're telling me there are language apps out there that don't even bother testing you on speaking? That's wild. How can you learn to talk in a new language if you never actually have to open your mouth and try? I've been using one of the older programs that makes you repeat words into the microphone and it corrects your pronunciation. Even that part is frustrating sometimes, but at least you're practicing the sounds. I can see how someone might get really good at reading and writing, but then freeze up when they actually have to speak with a real person. That kind of defeats the whole purpose of learning a language if you can't hold a conversation.