What? There’s no Kazakh on Duolingo?
It’s surprising to know that around 16 million people speak Kazakh worldwide, and approximately 70% of Kazakhstan’s population are Kazakh speakers. Yet, despite this large number of speakers, Kazakh hasn’t secured a place on Duolingo.
But there’s no need to worry. You can still start learning your favorite language right away with the Ling app. With its newly launched Kazakh course, Ling aims to make your language-learning experience both exciting and engaging.
I want to learn even more languages with Ling!
Download now!
So, if you’re serious about learning Kazakh, you don’t have to give up on your passion just because it’s not available on Duolingo. I’m confident that Ling will prove to be the best alternative for Kazakh learners. Let’s see how:
Why Kazakh Deserves A Spot On Duolingo
Before exploring the alternative, let’s first see why Kazakh actually deserves a spot on Duolingo and also why there is no Kazakh on Duolingo yet.
As I have discussed above, Kazakh is the state or official language of Kazakhstan, and is the second-largest Muslim community in Central Asia. Currently, there are around 16 million Kazakh speakers worldwide, with roughly 13 million of them living in Kazakhstan, but you’ll also find them in other regions of the world.
According to recent statistics, approximately 71.3% of Kazakhstan’s population belongs to the Kazakh ethnic group. Meanwhile, 14.6% are Russians and 3.3% are Uzbeks, making Russian and Uzbek the interethnic languages of Kazakhstan. Other Kazakh-speaking communities exist in China, Russia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and smaller groups in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Germany. Most of these communities are the result of migrations, trade routes, or international mobility for business.
Now, let’s talk about the Kazakh language itself. It belongs to the Turkic family and has unique grammatical rules and vowel harmony, generally based on logic and consistent patterns. By unique grammar rules, I mean it uses agglutinative morphology, adding suffixes, rather than relying on word order. This may not feel easy at first, but once you understand the logic and patterns, it becomes much easier.
Kazakh uses the Cyrillic alphabet. This writing system can make the script somewhat challenging to decode because of its structure. However, there are also proposals to transition to the Latin script, which could make the Kazakh language more accessible. These proposals have not been approved yet.
Beyond this, Kazakh preserves the rich cultural heritage and oral traditions of Kazakhstan. Its oral literature, storytelling, music, and folklore play a pivotal role in the country’s culture. Learning the Kazakh language not only helps you gain new vocabulary but also allows you to explore a new culture and understand its literature. So, it’s not just about the language itself, but what it represents, and that is the main reason why Kazakh deserves a spot on Duolingo.
But don’t worry if there’s no Kazakh on Duolingo. You already have the best alternative, the Ling app.
Is Kazakh Hard To Learn?
Kazakh is not impossible to learn, but it is different from languages like English or Russian. Its grammar is agglutinative, which means words are formed by adding suffixes instead of relying on word order. Once you understand the patterns, it becomes much easier to use.
Pronunciation can take some practice because of vowel harmony, but the Cyrillic script provides clear guidance for reading and writing. With resources like the Ling app, anyone motivated can learn Kazakh and gain access to its rich culture and literature.
So yes, it has its differences, but it is definitely learnable.
Why Is It Missing From Duolingo In The First Place?
Although Duolingo has proven to be one of the best apps for teaching languages to the masses in a fun and interactive way, Kazakh is still not on its list. One possible reason for this is Duolingo’s focus on languages with high global demand.
That’s why you’ll see courses in Spanish and French on Duolingo, as they are widely studied and recognized around the world. Unfortunately, Kazakh, spoken by around 16 million people, has not yet reached enough global demand and remains underrepresented compared to other languages that Duolingo offers.
Additionally, Duolingo tends to prioritize languages commonly studied by people planning to travel, do business, or work internationally. As mentioned earlier, despite Kazakh’s growing importance, it is still largely considered a regional language.
Another factor could be a lack of volunteers or qualified contributors, as most Duolingo courses are developed with the help of community input and teaching resources. Nonetheless, with the Ling app now offering a Kazakh course, there is still a chance that Duolingo may introduce Kazakh in the future, though for now, that remains speculative.
Duolingo Vs Ling: A Quick Comparison
Now that we have explored a little about the Kazakh language, let’s quickly see which app is best to master the Kazakh language:
| English | Ling | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakh course available | Yes | No |
| Gamified learning approach | Yes | Yes |
| Offline learning mode | Yes | Yes, but limited features are available only |
| Native speaker audio | Yes | No |
| Suitable for all age groups | Yes | Yes |
| Dialogue feature | Yes | Yes |
| Android and iOS devices | Yes | Yes |
| Ad-free | Yes | Yes, but only the paid version. |
No Kazakh On Duolingo? Try The Ling App: The Best Alternative
We all know that Kazakh is still marginalized, even with millions of speakers worldwide. Still, by launching the brand-new language course for Kazakh, Ling has proved what it’s known for, that is, teaching both popular and rarely used languages. Let’s take a closer look at some key features that make Ling the best alternative for learning Kazakh:
- Structured lessons (from basics to advanced) to make you feel less overwhelmed.
- Game-like practice exercises and spaced-repetition learning technique ensures proper retention.
- Native-speaker audio lessons, speech recognition, and the Dialog feature ensure you start speaking the language like a native.
- Progress trackers such as the Streak Saver, Banana Points, and the Review feature help you stay motivated and continue reviewing what you’ve already learned.
- Offline mode allows you to practice reading, listening, and even speaking anytime and anywhere.
- After each short lesson, you can take a quiz to test the knowledge you’ve gained before moving on to the next level.
Why Do Passionate Learners Choose The Ling App?
The 4.6-star rating on the App Store, given by over 18k learners, proves that the Ling app has established itself among passionate language learners.
But, besides the numbers, let’s explore some real reviews that Ling users have left behind on the app’s review section:
“In my opinion, this app is very useful for learners and especially in speaking, the test is very useful for formalities, but it doesn’t matter how everyone knows the vocal songs and concepts are always supportive for daily practice. For me, this app is very good for learners, which is why I love it. Another suggestion is to fix the bug in the app.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thureinhtut joker99
“Enjoying the app a lot. Have a Duolingo family plan. Been using that for a couple of years. This app progresses to the conversational use of words in every lesson in a way that keeps you better engaged with the material. Better lesson type variation.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ghulam Othman
What You’ll Learn In Your 7-day Free Trial With Ling
As you know, Ling offers a 7-day free trial that you can use to test the app and see if it works for you. With this in mind, let’s quickly review what you can learn in seven days, assuming you spend at least 10 minutes a day on the Ling app:
| Days | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Basic words, introductory phrases, and greetings |
| Day 2 | Ask about prices, dine out, and shop |
| Day 3 | Practice with game-like exercises |
| Day 4 | Review how much you’ve progressed |
| Day 5 | Make simple sentences using the Kazakh vocabulary you’ve learned |
| Day 6 | Start using the language in basic conversations |
| Day 7 | Improve your pronunciation with the voice recognition feature |
However, depending on why you’re learning Kazakh, you can tailor your vocabulary accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Kazakh Language
Can I really Start Learning Kazakh From Zero With Ling?
Yes, absolutely. Ling is designed for beginners, so you don’t need any prior knowledge of Kazakh. The lessons start with the basics, like simple words and phrases, and gradually build up to more complex topics. With short exercises, native audio, and interactive practice, you can feel confident starting from scratch and making steady progress.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Kazakh?
By practicing 30-40 minutes daily with complete focus, you will be able to speak basic Kazakh in around 6-12 months. However, this time period is just a rough estimate and depends on your learning strategy and consistent practice. I would recommend starting with mastering the Kazakh alphabet and building on basic vocabulary before moving to the grammar lessons and pronunciation. It will provide you with a solid foundation for learning the Kazakh language. Moreover, engaging with native speakers or knowing Turkish and Uzbek can significantly accelerate your learning journey.
Do I need a paid plan to start learning Kazakh on Ling?
No, you don’t need to pay right away. Ling offers a 7-day free trial that gives you full access to the Kazakh course, so you can explore the lessons and see if it’s a good fit before subscribing. After the trial, you can choose a premium plan to unlock all features.
Are You Ready To Learn Kazakh With Ling?
So, even if Kazakh isn’t on Duolingo, you can still start learning Kazakh right away. Short, informative lessons, paired with real-life audio from native speakers and gamified practice exercises, keep you motivated and help you become fluent in any language you choose to learn.
What tops the list is the 7-day free trial, which lets learners test the app before committing to any premium plan. A risk-free deal, right? So, what are you waiting for?
Download the app now, search for the Kazakh course, and make Ling your ultimate language partner, just like countless other learners have already done!
