No Tagalog On Duolingo: 3+ Best Alternatives In 2024

No Tagalog On Duolingo - A photo of two women looking at a phone having drinks

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. Like any other person who loves to travel and learn about new cultures, I also want to know a word or two about the language of the people who are living in the country I am visiting.

I heard that language learning apps can help me learn the Tagalog language. So, I did some research and found out that Duolingo is one of the most popular language apps. I decided to try it and see for myself if it is a really good tool for language learning.

It is a bit disheartening to see that there is no Tagalog on Duolingo. Based on my research, one app I’ve seen that stands out the most is the Ling app. But let’s dive into what apps can best help you learn Tagalog and some interesting facts about the Filipino language.

No Tagalog On Duolingo: Your Top 3 Options

When Duolingo doesn’t offer Tagalog, where do language learners turn? I’ve explored some top alternatives that provide unique ways to learn Tagalog. Let me share with you standout apps and see how they stack up.

1. The Ling App

There is one very obvious recommendation that can be made here, and that is the Ling Tagalog app. The Ling app uses native Tagalog speakers to help you learn Tagalog, just like it will sound in the country.

  • Gamification of Learning: Ling turns learning into a game. It’s fun! As you go through different topics and quizzes, you can actually see your progress. It’s like playing a video game, but you’re learning a language.

  • Chatbot Conversations: Then, there’s this AI chatbot you can talk to as a virtual friend in Tagalog. For someone like me who’s a bit shy, it’s perfect. It gives me the practice I need so I can get confident enough to use Tagalog in real life.

  • Customized Learning Paths: The Ling app checks where you’re at in learning Tagalog. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have some basics, it adjusts the lessons for you.

  • Interactive Grammar Exercises: They’ve got these exercises that help you get the hang of Tagalog grammar. It’s actually quite fun, like solving puzzles and matching images.

  • Voice Recording and Playback: You can record how you speak and play it back. Great for making sure you sound just like a native speaker.

  • Cultural Insights: The Ling app gives you snippets of Filipino culture. You’re learning the language and how life is in the Philippines.

  • Regular Updates with New Content: The app keeps updating with new topics and features, so there’s always something new to learn.

  • Offline Accessibility: No internet? No worries. You can still use the Ling app offline.

  • Community and Support: And you’re not alone. There’s a Ling community where you can chat with other learners and native speakers.

While these mobile apps do share a common goal of making language learning fun and accessible, what sets the Ling app apart is the focus on practical vocabulary, sentences, and phrases that you will use in everyday speech. But how much does the Ling app cost? It’s completely free with a generous 7-day free trial if you want to test it before going premium! Here’s a quick breakdown of its pricing:

  • Free with beginner lessons and an introductory Chatbot.

  • Monthly: $14.99

  • Six Months: $39.99

  • Yearly: $79.99 (7-day free trial)

  • Lifetime: $149.99

2. Simply Learn Tagalog

This one is actually a part of the same family as the Ling app. 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 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 Tagalog grammar, like word order. It’s relatively cheap, but you won’t get the benefits you’ll get from the Ling app:

  • Free with basic and limited features.

  • Monthly premium: $9.99

  • In-app purchases: $1.99

3. Mondly

Mondly is another app I checked out for learning Tagalog, and it’s pretty neat. It’s straightforward and focuses on getting you to use Tagalog quickly. The lessons are about things you’d talk about, like ordering food or asking for directions, which is helpful, especially when you’re traveling the Philippines. The app is easy to use, too, so you won’t get lost trying to find your next lesson.

Now, what makes Mondly a good alternative for learning Tagalog? Let me tell you:

  • Speech Recognition: This is great for getting your pronunciation right. It’s like Mondly listens and tells you how to improve.

  • Daily Lessons: They keep the lessons short and sweet. You won’t feel swamped, and it’s easy to make learning a daily habit.

  • Focus on Conversations: They’re big on teaching you how to talk in Tagalog, so you’re ready for real conversation with Filipinos.

But, between you and me, if you’re serious about learning Tagalog, the Ling app is still my top recommendation. It just has more of everything – more exercises, more real-life stuff, and more fun.

And for an introvert like me, that chatbot feature of the Ling app? It’s a game-changer. As for Mondly, it’s good, but the Ling app is where it’s at. Here’s how much Mondly will cost you:

  • Free with basic daily lessons.

  • Monthly premium (one language): $9.99

  • Yearly premium (one language): $47.99

  • Lifetime (all languages): $89.99

More Resources To Learn Tagalog Besides Duolingo

If you’re exploring alternatives to Duolingo for learning Tagalog, several apps and platforms to learn Filipino offer unique features and approaches. Here’s a rundown of some notable options:

  • ChatGPT: This modern AI model offers an impressive feature for learning Tagalog: voice chat. With a paid subscription, learners can engage in spoken conversations with the AI. ChatGPT is ideal for practicing pronunciation, enhancing listening skills, and getting comfortable with real-time dialogue in Tagalog.

  • Pimsleur: This will teach you to speak Tagalog right from the start. You listen to phrases, then repeat them like you’re in a real conversation. It’s mostly audio, so it’s all about speaking and listening. There are two levels, which are ideal for beginners, but if you’re more advanced, you might need something else​​​​.

  • italki: Here, you can find a Tagalog tutor that suits you. It’s pretty flexible – you pick who you learn from and when. Whether you’re just starting or improving, you can focus on what you need, like conversation or grammar​​​​​​.

  • Glossika: This language app enhances your Tagalog skills. It uses sentences from everyday life and repeats them, helping you remember and use them naturally. It’s best if you already know a bit of Tagalog because it can be challenging for absolute beginners​​​​​​.

  • Language Drops: This app is fun for building your Tagalog vocabulary. It’s game-based, so you learn new words and phrases by playing. It’s user-friendly, especially if you’re just starting.

  • Filipinopod101: You’ll feel like tuning into a radio show but for learning Tagalog. It has dialogues and breaks down vocabulary and grammar. You can start with easy lectures and move up to more challenging lessons.

  • Clozemaster: This language-learning app is a good choice once you’ve got the basics down. You fill in missing words in sentences or, as they call it, “close tests,” which is an effective way to learn new words and see how well you know Tagalog.
No Tagalog On Duolingo - A photo of a woman teaching lesson 1 virtually

The Tagalog Language Overview

Now, let’s talk a “little” about Tagalog, the main language in parts of the Philippines. You’ll find most people speaking it in Central and Southern Luzon. I want to show you why Tagalog is interesting but a bit tricky for some English speakers.

Where Is Tagalog Spoken?

Those of ethnic Tagalog origin speak Tagalog or Filipino, an Austronesian language. The majority of Filipinos speak English as their second language, although a quarter speak Tagalog as their first language, mainly in Central and Southern Luzon. Here are more information for you:

  • Central and Southern Luzon: This is where Tagalog is really at home. In major cities like Manila, which is also the capital of the Philippines, most people speak Tagalog. It’s a language to them and a huge part of their culture and daily life.

  • All Over the Philippines: It’s not only in Luzon where the Tagalog language is popular. About 22 million people in the Philippines speak it as their first language. That’s like 1 in every 4 people! And many others understand it or speak it as their second language.

  • Filipinos Abroad: Tagalog has traveled far and wide. In the United States, over 1.72 million people speak it. That’s a lot! It’s also spoken in Canada, neighboring Asian countries, and some Middle Eastern countries where Filipino communities live.

  • Official Language Status: In the Philippines, Tagalog or Filipino is one of the official languages, alongside English. This means it’s used in schools, on TV and radio stations, in newspapers, and by the Philippine government. It’s everywhere in the Philippines!

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 for native English speakers to master. Here’s what makes it a challenge, especially if English is your first language:

Verb Focus System:

  • In Tagalog, verbs change based on what part of the sentence is the focus. This is different from English.

  • For instance, consider the verb kumain (to eat). Kumain ako ng mansanas means ‘I ate an apple’, focusing on the action. But Kinain ko ang mansanas means ‘The apple was eaten by me,’ focusing on the object.

Aspect, Not Tense

  • Tagalog verbs are more about aspect (how an action relates to the flow of time) than tense. This can be tricky to understand.

  • For example, kumakain ako means ‘I am eating’ (ongoing action), while kakain ako implies ‘I will eat’ (future action).

Pronunciation Nuances:

  • While Tagalog uses the Latin alphabet, its pronunciation can be different.

  • The letter ng at the start of words, like in ngiti (smile), is a unique sound for English speakers.

Sentence Structure:

  • Tagalog often uses a Verb-Subject-Object order, which can be confusing initially.

  • For example, Nagluto ang babae ng adobo translates to ‘The woman cooked adobo,’ not the English order ‘The woman (Subject) cooked (Verb) adobo (Object).’

Yes, like any other language, Tagalog has its challenges, but it’s also a beautiful language to learn. With time, practice, and consistency, what seems difficult at first becomes a fascinating aspect of the language.

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?

In my opinion, the main reason why there is no Tagalog on Duolingo is because Duonlingo’s team thinks 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 possibility is that the team behind Duolingo thinks Tagalog is too difficult to learn, which, in my experience, it is not. When you listen to spoken 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 you can’t learn 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.

No Tagalog On Duolingo - Aphoto of a man using computer searching for alternatives

Don’t Look For Other Resources. Learn Tagalog With Ling!

Let me tell you why the Ling app is your best bet for learning Tagalog, especially since there is no Tagalog on Duolingo. You see, the Ling app is crafted by experts from all around the world. They aren’t ordinary experts; we’re talking about pros in both Asian and European languages.

So when they put together the Tagalog course, they made sure it was top-notch. Everything you need, from the basics to the more complex lessons, is in there. And the team behind Ling doesn’t stop at Tagalog – they offer a whopping 60+ languages!

And here’s something you shouldn’t ignore: give the Ling app’s 7-day free trial a shot. I mean, what’s there to lose? In just one week, you’ll feel your Tagalog skills soaring closer to the conversational level. It’s amazing how much you can pick up in such a short time.

So, forget about the disappointment of not finding Tagalog on Duolingo. The Ling app has got you covered, and it’s completely free to start! It’s better than Duolingo in many ways if you ask me. So, go on, download the Ling app from the Google Play or App Store, and make a smart move in your language learning journey. Trust me, it’s a decision you won’t regret.

Updated By: Jefbeck

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

What makes learning with Ling special

Interactive exercises

Improve your pronunciation by starting a conversation with our app’s interactive chatbot

Engaging activities

Practice your skills with mini-games and track your progress with fun quizzes

Mix of languages

Choose from over 60 languages, both big and small, and listen to audio from native speakers

Proven results

Backed by linguistic research, our learning methods can help you achieve fluency in record time