It’s shocking that there’s no Mongolian on Duolingo, even though it’s not a rare language and has millions of speakers worldwide. But don’t worry. We have already found the best alternative for learning Mongolian this year: the Ling app.
With that in mind, let’s look closely at why there’s no Mongolian on Duolingo and why the Ling app is the best alternative for learning the language online.
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Why Is There No Mongolian On Duolingo?
Duolingo still doesn’t offer Mongolian, likely because of Mongolia’s comparatively small population and a slightly challenging Cyrillic script:
- Comparatively smaller Mongolian population: Mongolia has a vast area of 1.564 million square kilometers, so it’s gigantic geographically. Yet only around 3.6 million people reside in Mongolia, which makes it the most sparsely populated sovereign state in the world. And we all know Duolingo focuses on languages with high global demand, like Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian.
- Challenging Mongolian Script: Mongolian is notoriously difficult to learn because it uses the Cyrillic script and has a slightly complex pronunciation that most beginners struggle with. That’s why very few people want to learn Mongolian, which may be another reason Duolingo still doesn’t offer a course.
Is Mongolian Hard To Learn?
Not completely. Learning Mongolian can feel really challenging at first, but it isn’t that hard. That’s mainly because of its Cyrillic script and because some letters sound different from how they look, which is a major challenge for non-native speakers.
Let’s look at some Mongolian language features that make learning it a bit challenging:
- Some letters look the same as English, but are pronounced differently. For example, the letter ‘б’ in Mongolian looks like the English letter ‘b’ but is pronounced as ‘v’, not ‘b’. Similarly, the letter ‘х’ sounds like ‘gh’. These differences can be tricky for beginners. But if you already know how the Mongolian alphabet sounds, reading Mongolian becomes easier.
- Mongolian pronunciation is also a bit challenging. The language uses both long and short vowels, and this vowel length defines the meaning of a word. For instance, the word ‘ul (ул)’ means ‘a shoe sole’, with the short vowel ‘у’. On the other hand, the word ‘uul (уул)’ with a long vowel ‘у’ means ‘mountain’.
These are a few common mistakes that most beginners make when learning Mongolian. But the best thing is that Mongolian follows a clear structure and has fewer grammatical exceptions than other languages.
So, is Mongolian hard to learn? The quick answer is ‘no’. Several beginners have found that, with consistent practice and the right resources, learning Mongolian becomes much easier over time.
But Why Should I Learn Mongolian?
Learning Mongolian is especially beneficial if you love exploring new histories and cultures, want to work in Mongolia, or are interested in missionary work.
Let’s look at some key reasons why learning Mongolian is still beneficial:
1. History And Culture
Mongolia has a rich history, culture, and traditions, as it is famous for its emperors like Genghis Khan. Thus, if you can read and write Mongolian, you can look at source documents and translate them to better understand Mongolia’s fascinating culture and history.
2. Business Work
Mongolia has strong business ties with China and is a perfect gateway to the Chinese market. So, knowing Mongolian can open several business opportunities in both Mongolia and China.
In fact, Mongolia is a hub for several industries today, according to the Investment and Trade Agency of Mongolia. Visas are easy to obtain, and foreign ownership of businesses is encouraged. Top industries in Mongolia include construction, mining, oil, animal products, manufacturing, and cashmere wool.
Moreover, Mongolia does not charge export taxes. So, it’s also a plus point for people interested in working in Mongolia.
Additionally, working in NGOs is very common in Mongolia. The major NGO in the country is World Vision Mongolia. You can find all the active Mongolian NGOs here.
3. Missionary Work
Mongolians love missionary work mainly because there are currently over 40,000 converts in Mongolia. So, there’s an open opportunity to contribute to the missionary work in Mongolia. But to do that, you need to be fluent in Mongolian to understand the local people.
Where Is Mongolian Spoken?
The Mongolian language, or the Mongol language, is widely spoken in Mongolia. You can also find native Mongolian speakers in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai and Gansu, as well as in the autonomous territories of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.
Ling: The #1 Alternative For Learning Mongolian
Since there’s no Mongolian on Duolingo, many passionate learners are choosing Ling learn Mongolian app as the best alternative for learning Mongolian online. Ling is especially great for an all-in-one language-learning experience, where you can master reading, writing, and speaking at the same time.
Key Ling App Features
Let’s look at how the Ling app makes learning Mongolian easy and fun, and proves to be the best alternative to Duolingo:
- Ling offers short, bite-sized lessons that take only 10-15 minutes
- Ling’s lessons include game-like practice exercises to ensure you remember everything
- Ling offers native-speaker audio and a speech-recognition feature for mastering accurate pronunciation of Mongolian
- With Ling’s finger-tracing exercises, you can easily practice writing the Mongolian Cyrillic script
- The review feature and streak help in tracking progress
- Ling’s language courses also include an exam at the end of every lesson, which lets you test yourself before moving on to the next lesson
All these features make learning Mongolian much easier. So, even if there’s no Mongolian on Duolingo, you know where to go, right?
Current Limitations
Compared to some other Ling language courses that have cultural and grammar notes, the Ling app’s Mongolian course doesn’t have this feature yet.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
The Ling app is great for beginners and intermediate learners, especially those who want an all-in-one language-learning solution. So, whether you want to:
- Communicate with colleagues at work or at your educational institution.
- Ask locals for directions or make new friends.
- Impress your loved ones by speaking their native language.
- Just learn new languages.
- Explore new cultures or histories
The Ling app is your best option. So, irrespective of your age and learning goal, you can confidently use the Ling app anytime, anywhere.
Ling App Vs Duolingo: Which Language App Is Actually The Best?
Here is a quick comparison between the Ling app and Duolingo for learning Mongolian online to help you decide which one is best, even though Ling is the only option that actually teaches the language.
| Features | Ling | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Mongolian Course Available | Yes | No |
| Gamified Lessons | Yes | Yes |
| Finger-Tracing Writing Exercises | Yes | No |
| Speaking Practice Exercises | Yes, with native-speaker audio and speech recognition | Limited |
| Ideal for Beginners and Intermediate Learners | Yes | Yes |
| Is it affordable? | Yes, it offers a 7-day free trial with the 12-month subscription | Free with ads + Premium subscription |
So, if you specifically want to learn Mongolian, the Ling app is surely the best choice. The best part is that the Ling app now offers informative lessons in 70+ languages, including the least-spoken ones.
Why Do Passionate Learners Choose The Ling App For Learning Mongolian?
One prominent reason passionate learners choose Ling to master Mongolian is that you can build basic vocabulary plus practice speaking and writing, all in one platform.
Don’t just trust my words. Here are some real Ling user reviews taken directly from the Google Play Store to see why learners trust the Ling app for mastering their favorite languages!
“Great app to learn Tagalog, voiced by actual people and not AI, meaning it’s curated by actual Tagalog people with probably no weird wrong pronunciations like other apps.”
CastreyYT
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“So much better than Duolingo & I’ve used Duo for years. No ads. Wider language selection. Plenty of free intro courses. Going to upgrade to Pro. The layout & lesson reviews are excellent. So much fun!”
Seth Myers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Additionally, the 10M+ downloads and 4.7/ 5-star reviews also prove the Ling app’s credibility. If you’re still unsure, you can read the detailed Ling app review by Linguist Magazine.
What You Can Learn In 7 Days Of Joining Ling
By spending 10 minutes a day with the Ling app, you can easily master basic Mongolian vocabulary and learn to write and use those phrases in real life.
Let’s take a detailed look at how much Mongolian you can master in just a week by subscribing to Ling’s 7-day free trial:
| Days | What You’ll Achieve | Ling App Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Everyday Mongolian vocabulary like greetings | Hello – Sain uu (Сайн уу) How are you? – chi kher baina (Чи хэр байна) |
| Day 2 | Master ordering food, asking for directions, and other travel-related words to roam around easily | I would like to order more food – Bi dakhin khool zakhialmaar baina (Би дахин хоол захиалмаар байна) The bookstore is opposite the school – Nomyn delguur surguuliin esreg tald baina (Номын дэлгүүр сургуулийн эсрэг талд байна) |
| Day 3 | Learn Mongolian counting | One – neg (Нэг) Three – gurav (Гурав) |
| Day 4 | Listen to native speakers and try to imitate how they pronounce certain words | Every lesson has native-speaker audio |
| Day 5 | Practice speaking Mongolian with Ling’s dialog feature and identify pronunciation mistakes with the speech-recognition feature | Ling’s dialog feature helps you practice complete conversations based on real-life situations and the topic you’ve selected |
| Day 6 | Practice forming Mongolian letters with Ling’s finger-tracing exercises to understand each stroke | Ling’s writing exercises let you see how to write, then trace, and then write the characters yourself |
| Day 7 | Take a short exam to see how much you’ve progressed | Final exams contain exercises like ‘What do you hear?’ and ‘Translate this sentence’ |
This is what learners realistically achieve in 7 days with the Ling app. Yet remember, this achievement is subjective. It totally depends on your pace and consistency.
No Mongolian On Duolingo: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Mongolian On Duolingo?
No, Duolingo doesn’t offer a Mongolian course yet. If you’re serious about learning Mongolian, you can try alternatives like the Ling app, which lets you practice reading, speaking, and writing under one platform.
What’s The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning Mongolian?
The Ling app, Memrise, and Live Lingua are among the best alternatives for learning Mongolian today. You can also find many online lessons and YouTube videos that offer comprehensive, beginner-friendly Mongolian lessons.
Will Duolingo Add Mongolian In The Future?
Duolingo hasn’t officially announced anything about launching a Mongolian course anytime soon. Yet we all know that Duolingo rarely confirms new languages until development begins.
Why Is Learning Mongolian Difficult?
Learning Mongolian is a little difficult because of its unique pronunciation (some words have no English equivalent), the Cyrillic script, and the complex vowel harmony rules. However, it becomes manageable with consistent practice and the right resources, like all-in-one language apps.
Can I Learn Mongolian For Free?
Yes, you can. Several language websites, YouTube channels, and apps offer comprehensive Mongolian courses for free. For instance, Learn Mongolian Free, Live Lingua, and 50languages are great free Mongolian resources. In addition, the Ling app offers a freemium model that lets you access 2 units for free and try the full premium version for a week with its 7-day free trial.
Learn Mongolian With The Ling App!
So, even if there’s no Mongolian on Duolingo, you now know that the Ling app is undoubtedly the best resource for learning Mongolian online. That’s because Ling offers a comprehensive Mongolian course that also includes writing and speaking exercises.
Why not try it yourself? Download the Ling app now, subscribe to the 7-day free trial, and join the millions of passionate learners learning their favorite languages online!
