Did you know there is no Maori on Duolingo?
If you’ve opened Duolingo hoping to start learning te reo Māori, you may have been disappointed to find it isn’t one of the languages on offer. That’s a shame, especially considering how much the language can tell you about Māori culture and life in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
So, what can you use instead? In this article, we’ll look at why the Ling app is the best alternative to Duolingo for learning Māori, what it offers, and whether it’s a good fit for your learning goals.
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Why Is Maori Missing From Duolingo?
If you’ve been wondering why there is no Maori on Duolingo, you’re not the only one. The likely reasons why the language has yet to make it onto the platform include the shutdown of Duolingo’s Incubator program and the company’s shift in priorities towards languages with more learners.
- In the past, Duolingo relied on its Incubator program, in which volunteer contributors created the course materials. Actually, a Maori course was being developed in 2020, but those initiatives were eventually put on hold, in part because of logistical challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Duolingo has shifted its priorities. The company now puts more resources into languages with large numbers of potential learners and selected new additions. That makes it harder for less widely spoken languages to get the same level of development attention.
Therefore, if you see that there is no Maori on Duolingo, it’s not because people aren’t interested; rather, it’s likely due to strategic and structural complexities. This simply means it’s time to look for other good alternatives for learning Maori.
Why Maori Deserves A Spot On Duolingo (And Other Platforms)
As of the 2023 Census, there are 213,849 people in New Zealand who can hold an everyday conversation in Maori, or 4.3% of the population, up 15% since 2018. That makes it the second most spoken language in the country after English. Its use is also growing among Maori communities in Australia, the UK, and the US.
- It’s an official language: Maori, or te reo Maori, is one of New Zealand’s official languages, alongside English and New Zealand Sign Language.
- It has a strong presence in New Zealand: Maori is most commonly spoken in the North Island, particularly in Northland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty, where there are sizable Maori communities.
- It’s spoken outside New Zealand: Maori diaspora communities in Australia, the UK, and the US continue to preserve the language through cultural events and community gatherings.
- Interest is growing: More young people are choosing to learn Maori to celebrate New Zealand’s heritage and connect with their roots.
- The dialects are largely understandable: Although there are dialectal differences in Maori, most are mutually understandable, making it easier for learners to pick them up with proper guidance.
Is The Maori Language Hard To Learn?
A common question among learners is whether Maori is difficult to learn. The answer depends partly on your previous experience with languages. However, Maori can be easier for beginners in some respects than languages such as Spanish or German. Here are a few reasons why:
- The pronunciation is relatively straightforward: Words are generally written as they are pronounced, so reading and speaking become easier once you’re familiar with the sounds. Maori also uses the Latin script, which is already familiar to English speakers.
- You can learn it through apps: For learners who prefer a structured approach, apps like the Ling app offer lessons, practice exercises, examples, and native-speaker audio to help with pronunciation.
- The language has a simple structure: Maori has a relatively straightforward grammatical structure, which can make it less intimidating for beginners.
- There are still challenges: As with any language, you’ll need to spend time building your vocabulary, getting the pronunciation right, and understanding the cultural context. But with consistent practice, learning Maori is entirely achievable, even for English speakers. It can also give you a better understanding of Maori culture.
Duolingo Vs Ling: Which One Supports Maori Language Learning
Anyway, Duolingo does not currently offer a Maori course, so if you want to start learning Maori, the Ling app is one of the best alternatives. Let’s take a closer look at how the two apps compare.
| Features | Ling | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Maori Course | Maori available with structured lessons | No Maori on Duolingo |
| Lesson Style | Gamified exercises, multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank | Gamified exercises, multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank |
| Speaking & Pronunciation | Interactive dialogues with real-time pronunciation feedback | Limited pronunciation practice |
| Audio Quality | Native audio recordings with slow mode and transcripts | Robotic or auto-generated audio in some languages |
| Tracking | Gamified progress tracker and detailed learning analytics | Streaks, XP, leaderboards |
| Ideal For | Beginner and intermediate learners | Mostly beginner + some intermediate learners, depending on the language |
| Learning Depth | Designed for real-world conversations | Quick, bite-sized practice |
The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning The Maori Language
Ling is designed to make language learning easy and fun, even for rare languages. The app provides interactive lessons that go beyond memorization, so learners can master the basics quickly and start using the language right away.
Ling’s Key Features
- Gamified exercises to stay motivated and enjoy learning.
- Audio from native speakers so learners can hear natural intonation and proper pronunciation.
- Dialogs that show real-time conversations in context.
- Voice recognition that can help fix speech errors by giving instant feedback.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
The Ling app is a great option if you want a structured way to learn Maori without waiting for Duolingo to add the language. It can be ideal for:
- Beginners who want to start with basic Maori phrases, vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence patterns.
- Travelers to New Zealand who want to learn useful Maori expressions before their trip.
- People with Maori heritage who wish to reconnect with the language and learn more about their cultural roots.
- Independent learners who prefer short, guided lessons that they can fit around their own schedule.
- Learners who aim to improve their pronunciation through listening practice and native-speaker audio rather than relying on written lessons alone.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Duolingo for Maori, the Ling app is an excellent option. You can also read our post on how Ling compares to Duolingo when it comes to the overall learning experience.
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
Are you serious about learning Maori but not sure where to begin? Here are some reviews from Ling users to help you feel more confident:
“I’ve been using Ling for a month and love it. It offers many languages, including rare ones. Lessons are interactive and gamified, with varied sentences that teach vocabulary and grammar intuitively. Each ends with a short dialogue. You can save new or important words and review them. I also reported few bugs and got helpful feedback within days – they really work on improving the app.”
– Martin Zlatev
“truly legendary app. Actually allows learning some languages some mainstream apps don’t! amazing quality and conversations included too”
– Jay Kay
What You’ll Achieve In Your First Week With Ling
If you’re serious about your daily language-learning routine, let’s see what you can accomplish in just seven days using the Ling app:
| Day | What You’ll Learn | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Greetings | Hello – Kia ora! Hello Tom – Kia ora, Tom! |
| Day 2 | Personal Introductions | What is your name? – Ko wai tō ingoa? My name is Mary – Ko Mary ahau |
| Day 3 | Greetings | Goodbye – Ka kite! Goodbye, see you again – Ka kite anō! |
| Day 4 | Basic Numbers & Counting | One, two, three – Tahi, rua, toru How much is it? – E hia te utu? |
| Day 5 | Useful Phrases / Politeness | Please – Koa Thank you very much – Ngā mihi nui You’re welcome – Kāore he aha |
| Day 6 | Food & Cafe Dining | Coffee, please – Kawhe, koa It’s delicious! – He reka! |
| Day 7 | Fundamental Questions | Where is…? – Kei hea…? Do you speak English? – E kōrero Pākehā ana koe? |
No Maori On Duolingo: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maori On Duolingo?
No, Duolingo does not currently offer Maori. Students who wish to learn the language must begin their journey by using other apps like Ling, which offers a structured Maori course with native-speaker audio, pronunciation feedback, flashcards, and more.
What’s The Best App To Learn Maori?
The Ling app is a fantastic choice to learn Maori because it provides gamified lessons, speech recognition, native-speaker audio, and interactive dialogues to make learning engaging and productive.
Is Maori An Easy Language To Learn?
Maori can be relatively easy for beginners in many aspects: pronunciation is fairly straightforward, it uses the Latin script, it has a relatively simple grammatical structure, and you can learn it through apps to make it more manageable. Still, you’ll need to spend time building your vocabulary, getting the pronunciation right, and understanding the cultural context.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Maori?
Your daily schedule, consistency, and practice will determine how long it takes. You can begin having basic conversations in a few weeks if you study attentively and use interactive apps like Ling.
Can I Learn Maori By Myself?
Yes! You can learn the fundamentals of Maori on your own with regular practice. The Ling app can make this easier by giving you structured lessons that cover vocabulary, pronunciation, and everyday phrases. You can study at your own pace, review previous lessons, and use native-speaker audio to practice listening and pronunciation.
Start Learning Maori With Ling (Get Your 7-Day Free Trial)
Ready to learn Maori? Ling gives you a simple way to get started, with a 7-day free trial and lessons designed to keep the practice entertaining. You can work on vocabulary, listening, and pronunciation while progressing at your own pace.
Ling also includes native-speaker audio and voice recognition to help you check your pronunciation. Its Dialog feature gives you a chance to put what you’ve learned into practice through conversation.
Start learning Maori with Ling and see how far you can get from day one!
