Duolingo Instructions

This page explains how Duolingo works once you've enrolled in class and completed setup.

Need help setting up or enrolling? Read: Starting Out with Duolingo

Important:
  • Sign in with Continue with Google before enrolling, using the same Google account you use for class.
  • Standard Duolingo Accounts are free. You never need to use Paid features or add a credit card for this class. Read How to ignore upgrade prompts for more details.
Consistency wins. Earning 10 XP most days for a month is better than 300 XP once and then nothing.

On this page

1) How Duolingo is organized

Structure:
  • Course -> Russian, Spanish, etc.
  • Sections -> big parts of the course, Russian course has 4 sections
  • Units -> each section is divided into units
  • Lessons -> each unit contains lessons. They are short activities such as reading, listening, writing, and sometimes speaking. You complete lessons to earn points

Tip: If you don't see all content in the screenshots below, it is because Duolingo is showing only the completed lessons in each unit. That's normal.

Course Selection is on the main page under the icon that looks like a flag:

Duolingo Language Selection(screenshot)

Sections. This image shows four sections in the Russian course. Completing a section unlocks the next one. Clicking "Review" shows the units in that section, and "See Details" lists the grammar concepts it covers.

Duolingo course path showing sections(screenshot)

Units and lessons. This shows the first two units in Section 1. Lessons look like stepping stones with a white checkmark inside. The trophy is a review, and reaching a chest rewards you with gems. Each unit has a "Guidebook" with key phrases for that unit.

Duolingo course path showing units(screenshot)

2) Completing assignments and earning XP

When I assign work, you'll receive an email from Duolingo with the assignment link.

  1. Click the assignment link. You may need to sign in with Google if you haven't already. This will take you to the assigned lesson or review.
  2. Earn the XP.
    Duolingo only lets me assign XP, but I can't control which lessons you do. Try to do at least the assigned XP. Your completion should be tracked automatically in Duolingo Classroom.
XP are short for points (experience points). You earn XP by:
  • Completing new lessons
  • Reviewing lessons you already did
  • Doing practice lessons

XP per lesson can vary, but many lessons are about ~10 XP.

3) Practicing to earn hearts

When you make a mistake, you lose a heart. Once you run out of hearts, the lesson is over and you must earn more hearts to continue progressing through the course. However, you can continue learning by practicing old material. This will not only allow you to earn hearts and XP, but also help you review and reinforce what you've learned.

When you run out of hearts and gems, Duolingo will offer:
  • Practice to earn a heart (recommended)
  • Paid options ("Super", "free trial", premium prompts)
I recommend choosing Practice to earn a heart.
If you couldn't finish a lesson, you need the extra practice anyway. Practice restores hearts and helps you move forward.
When you run out of hearts:
  • Close any upgrade prompts that appear
  • Click on the heart icon in the upper right corner of the screen
  • Choose "Practice to earn a heart"
Hearts screen showing practice option (screenshot)

4) Leaderboard

After you complete at least one assignment or lesson, you'll see our class' leaderboard in the right panel. Leaderboard resets every week, so you can start fresh and compete for the top spot each week. When you click on the leaderboard, you can see how many XP each student has earned that week.

Class leaderboard showing XP totals (screenshot)
Screenshot: Class leaderboard (XP totals).

5) How to ignore upgrade prompts and avoid excessive ads

You can complete everything for this class for free. You do not need to enter a credit card.
If you see an upgrade screen, look for Not now, Maybe later, or an X and continue. Only pay if you personally want premium features for your own use.
Example upsell prompt (close it):
Premium upsell screen (screenshot)
Paid features include:
  • Unlimited hearts / fewer restrictions
  • Fewer ads
Mobile app ads. You can install the Duolingo app on your phone, but the mobile app version of Duolingo shows distracting ads after each lesson. At the time of this writing, the web version of Duolingo ads are much less intrusive. You can use the web version on either a computer or mobile devices.
Go to duolingo.com in your browser. On your phone, you'll see a prompt like the screenshot below. Choose Continue in Browser instead of opening the app.
Continue in browser prompt on mobile (screenshot)

6) Adjusting Notifications

Duolingo can be a bit overzealous with reminder emails that push daily practice.
You can turn off anything you find distracting in your account settings.
In the bottom left of the Duolingo website, click More -> Settings -> Notifications/Preferences.
Settings screen (screenshot)
Notifications screen (screenshot)
Preferences screen (screenshot)