No Tagalog on Duolingo? We have the perfect alternative for you to start learning the language today! I often think about going to the Philippines on vacation. And like any other person who loves to travel and learn about new cultures. I also like to know a word or two about the language of the people that are living in the country I am visiting.
I heard that language learning apps can help me with that. So, I did some research and found out that Duolingo is one of the most popular in that field and decided to try it and see for myself if it is a really good tool the language learning.
It is a bit disheartening to see that there is no Tagalog on Duolingo. One app I’ve seen that stands out the most is the Ling app. But let’s dive into interesting facts about Tagalog and what apps can best help you learn Tagalog.
The Tagalog Language Overview
Where Is Tagalog Spoken?
Those of ethnic Tagalog origin speak Tagalog, an Austronesian language. The majority of Filipinos speak English as their first language, although a quarter speak Tagalog as their first language, mainly in Central and Southern Luzon.
Is It Difficult To Learn Tagalog?
The Austronesian language family, of which Tagalog is a part, includes the languages spoken over most of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Tagalog has a very unique and challenging grammar. Focus and aspect modifications for verbs are likely the most difficult parts. Overall, Tagalog is a challenging language to master for native English speakers.
Why There Is No Tagalog On Duolingo?
I think this is a fair question. I mean, there are many people who want to learn the basics of Tagalog before going on a vacation in the Philippines. So why does Duolingo not offer Tagalog as an option to learn for native English speakers?
Maybe they think that the majority of Filipino people speak English, at least at a conversational level, so you don’t need to learn Tagalog. However, this doesn’t take anything away from the importance of learning Tagalog. For people who didn’t grow up learning English, it’s possible that you won’t be able to communicate with them in the slightest.
Another thought that crossed my mind was that maybe they think Tagalog is too difficult to learn. When you listen to Tagalog, it probably doesn’t give the impression of being a particularly easy language. The truth is, learning how to speak Tagalog fluently is much, much easier than it sounds, even for complete beginners.
Modern Tagalog is based on the Latin alphabet, so that couldn’t be a reason why there is no Tagalog on Duolingo. This means that all you have to do is sound out the words as you read them as you would in English or any Romance language.
What Are The Alternatives To Duolingo?
Ling
I am glad you asked. There is one very obvious recommendation that can be made here, and that is the Ling Tagalog app. Ling uses native Tagalog speakers to help you learn Tagalog, just like it will sound in the country.
The gamification of learning also makes the whole process much more engaging. You can see yourself progress as you make your way through the different topics and tests that come along with it.
Then there is the chatbot feature that simulates conversations and makes for great practicing your Tagalog language skills. For an introvert like me, it helps to build up my courage to eventually feel confident enough to use it when out and about.
While these mobile apps do share a common goal of making language learning fun and accessible, what sets Ling apart is the focus on practical vocabulary, sentences, and phrases that you will use in everyday speech.
Simply Learn
This one is actually a part of the same family as Ling. Simply Learn Tagalog is a phrasebook in app form, giving you all the benefits that come with that. You can listen to the words and phrases being spoken by native Filipino speakers, along with the Tagalog and phonetic spellings of the words.
It makes for a great companion both when practicing and when you are in the Philippines. It makes use of flashcards and the spaced repetition learning technique that is said to really improve language learning.
It may not be the top choice if you want a deep understanding of the language but it helps you start out with pronunciation and basic grammar like word order.
Don’t Look For Other Resources. Learn With Ling!
There are quite a few different apps and websites that work great with helping you to learn Tagalog. Each one goes about its own way to replace the hole made by the lack of Tagalog in Duolingo. Ultimately, it is a case of finding which option works best for your case.
As we said before, it is good to make a language learning plan and mix things up if you are serious about learning Tagalog. If you are just looking for a more casual experience to learn a few phrases before traveling, then apps like the Ling Tagalog app might be the best option for you.
Spend less than 15 minutes a day with this fun-filled and interactive language-learning resource. You can download the app now on the Play Store or App Store and take it while shopping, traveling, going to work, or even when you’re in school. What are you waiting for? Take that next step to language learning with the Ling app today!
