If you’re searching for a Latvian course, you’ll quickly notice that there is no Latvian on Duolingo, even though it’s the official language of an EU country and is still actively spoken by over a million people today.
While this may be disappointing for learners who prefer Duolingo’s approach, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Several language-learning platforms support Latvian, and the Ling app, in particular, has emerged as the best alternative. Let’s take a look at what it offers and why so many learners prefer it.
Why Is Latvian Missing From Duolingo?
So why is there no Latvian on Duolingo yet? The platform hasn’t made an official statement, but the main reasons likely come down to resources and priorities. Duolingo tends to focus on languages that either have a large number of learners or are endangered, and Latvian doesn’t quite fit either category.
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While the exact reason remains unknown, here are some of the most likely factors behind Duolingo’s decision.
Limited Learners Base
With only about 1.3 million speakers worldwide, Latvian doesn’t have a large audience, which is why Duolingo prioritizes other languages.
Course Development Challenges
Creating a full course takes a lot of work. You need native speakers, lesson writers, audio recordings, and developers to make it all run smoothly. Because of this, Latvian hasn’t been high on Duolingo’s list yet.
Luckily, the Ling app fills the gap, allowing you to start learning Latvian right away.
Why Latvian Deserves A Spot On Duolingo
Latvian isn’t a niche language spoken by only a handful of people. It’s the official language of an entire country, and it’s used every day at work, in schools, and in everyday life. That’s why it seems surprising that there’s no Latvian on Duolingo.
Here’s why Latvian clearly deserves a spot on Duolingo:
- It’s the official language of Latvia, an EU country where you need Latvian to live and work comfortably.
- About 1.3 million people speak Latvian in the country, and many of them live outside Latvia, too.
- Latvian is one of the last Baltic languages still around, which makes it pretty special from a language point of view.
- It’s not dying out or disappearing; it’s used in the media, government, and business every day.
- More people are learning it now, especially expats, students, and people with Latvian roots.
When you look at all that, it’s hard to see why Latvian hasn’t made it onto Duolingo yet. It’s a real, living language that plenty of people want to learn.
Is Latvian Hard To Learn?
We’re not going to lie, Latvian can be a challenge for English speakers. According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), it’s a Category III language, which means it typically takes about 44 weeks to reach a solid professional level (B2/C1). It’s quite different from English.
The challenge comes from things like noun and adjective cases, verb forms, and pronunciation. But it’s not all scary. Latvian is written in the Latin alphabet, and once you get the hang of the patterns, reading and speaking become a lot easier.
Where Is Latvian Spoken?
Latvian is mostly spoken in Latvia, of course, in cities like Riga, Daugavpils, and Liepāja, and pretty much everywhere in between. It’s the language you’ll hear on the streets, in schools, at work, and on TV.
Latvian is also spoken abroad. There are Latvian communities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, where people still speak it at home and in cultural clubs. So even if you’re not traveling to Latvia, there are plenty of places where you can hear it and practice it.
Duolingo Vs Ling: Which One Supports Latvian?
If you’re looking for Latvian lessons on Duolingo, the short answer is you won’t find them. But don’t worry, there’s a solid alternative: the Ling learn Latvian app. Here’s a quick comparison so you can see the difference:
| Feature | Duolingo | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Latvian Course Available | No | Yes |
| Short, Interactive Lessons | Yes | Yes |
| Native-Speaker Audio | No | Yes |
| Gamified Learning | Yes | Yes |
| Speaking & Listening Practice | Basic | Strong focus on conversation |
| Customizable Learning Path | No | Yes |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
So, apart from the Ling app having a Latvian course while Duolingo doesn’t, it also offers more conversation practice, a customizable learning path, and native-speaker audio in all its lessons.
The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning Latvian: The Ling App
If you’re serious about learning Latvian, the best choice right now is Ling. Unlike Duolingo, it actually offers a full Latvian course with lessons that go beyond just vocabulary.
Here’s what makes the Ling app stand out:
- Step-by-step lessons that guide you from beginner to confident speaker.
- Native-speaker audio to help you pronounce words correctly.
- Speaking and listening practice focused on real conversations.
- Short daily lessons you can fit into your routine.
- Several review features, like flashcards, quick exams, and a vocabulary bank.
- Practical vocabulary you can use in conversations.
- Points, achievements, and leaderboards to keep you motivated.
- And so much more!
Even if you’ve never studied Latvian before, Ling makes it easy to get started and see progress quickly. Want to compare more options? Take a look at our list of the best apps to learn Latvian.
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
Let’s take a look at some reviews to see what serious learners say about the Ling app:
“Perfect for a quick lesson to stay on top of grammar and vocabulary. The ability to turn off Romanization really makes this app perfect for reading comprehension.“
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chaz
“I’ve been looking for an app to sub out for Duolingo. Instantly, I knew that I made a good choice. The conversational parts are wonderful. To see and hear how people talk, rather than learning random words with little context.“
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aisling Pedrotti
What You’ll Learn In Your First Week With Ling
When you start your 7-day free trial with Ling, you’ll get a taste of Latvian right away. Each day focuses on practical, easy-to-use skills that help you start speaking from the beginning.
| Day | What You’ll Achieve | Examples from the app |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Learn basic words and simple phrases to get comfortable with the language. | Es esmu 25 gadus veca. – I am 25 years old. |
| Day 2 | Practice greetings and polite expressions you’ll actually use in a conversation. | Kā jums klājas? – How are you? |
| Day 3 | Get to know numbers and counting, perfect for shopping or telling time. | trīs – three, desmit – ten |
| Day 4 | Build vocabulary around travel, food, and everyday situations. | Vācija – Germany, kafija – coffee, laikraksts – newspaper |
| Day 5 | Start speaking! Exercises in each lesson help you practice pronunciation. | Un ko dara šis zēns? – What is the boy doing? / Viņš ēd japāņu ēdienu. – He is eating Japanese food. |
| Day 6 | Quick review of everything you’ve learned so far to reinforce your memory. | Grāmatu veikals ir iepretī skolai. – The book store is opposite the school. |
| Day 7 | Have your first conversation with Ling’s chatbot and put your skills into action. | No kurienes jūs esat? – Where are you from? |
As you can see, in just seven days using the Ling app, you can learn subjects as varied as greetings, numbers, food vocabulary, and more. Plus, you get to practice conversations, take short exams, and review quizzes.
Frequently Asked Questions: No Latvian On Duolingo
Can I Learn Latvian Without A Teacher?
Yes! You don’t need a teacher to get started. With Ling, the lessons guide you step by step, include native-speaker audio, and give plenty of practice, so you can learn independently at your own pace.
Is It Possible To Become Fluent In Latvian Using The Ling App?
The Ling app focuses on getting you to a conversational level as quickly as possible, but true fluency will take more study. Ling gives you everything you need to speak, listen, and understand Latvian, so you can have conversations and get a good grasp on the language quickly.
What Is A Common Mistake People Make When Learning Latvian?
A common mistake is ignoring grammar cases early on. Latvian uses several cases, and getting comfortable with them from the start makes everything else much easier.
Is There A Latvian Course On Duolingo?
No, you won’t find a Latvian course on Duolingo. If you want to study the language, Ling offers a comprehensive course to help you build your skills from the ground up.
Can I Learn Latvian For Free?
Yes, there are free resources that can help you get started with Latvian, but they often cover only the basics. If you’re looking for a more structured approach, Ling lets you complete the first two units of its Latvian course for free, and you can also try the full course with a 7-day free trial.
Start Learning Latvian With The Ling App. Get Your 7-Day Free Trial!
If you’re ready to learn Latvian, don’t let the lack of a Duolingo course hold you back. The Ling app offers a complete Latvian course that takes you from your first words to everyday conversations with bite-sized lessons, native-speaker audio, and interactive exercises.
Practice for just a few minutes each day to build your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, and strengthen your reading and listening skills. You’ll also find flashcards, speaking activities, and a language blog packed with helpful articles on Latvian grammar, vocabulary, and culture.
You can complete the first two units for free or start a 7-day free trial to explore the entire course. Download the Ling app today and start learning Latvian at your own pace.
Laimīgu mācīšanos! (That’s “happy learning” in Latvian.)
