I know a bunch of people that want to learn the Slovak language. Because of that, I am very disappointed because there is No Slovak on Duolingo. So I decided to look into this a bit more and find out the real reason for that situation.
Why Is There No Slovak on Duolingo?
That’s a mystery to me and to many people that are writing to Dualogo’s staff on forums. In my opinion, there’s a serious problem with Duo not respecting its own users enough to reply to their questions. That’s a big problem. I really don’t know what is the criteria while chooses which course it wants to let come into life.
I mean, if there’s a valid reason why Duolingo won’t even start a Slovak incubator and yet do have Klingon language lessons, I’d like to at least know it.
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 Slovak app. Ling uses native Slovak speakers to help you learn Slovak, just like it will sound in the country.
Through the gamification of learning, it 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 Slovak 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 Slovak 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 Slovak speakers, along with the Slovak and phonetic spellings of the words.
It makes for a great companion both when practicing and when you are in Slovak. 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 helps you start out with pronunciation and basic grammar like word order.
Other Resources
There are quite a few different apps and websites that work great with helping you to learn Slovak. Each one goes about its own way to replace the hole made by the lack of Slovak in Duolingo. Ultimately, it is a case of finding which option works best for your case.
Like we said before, it is good to make a language learning plan and mix things up if you are serious about learning Slovak. If you are just looking for a more casual experience to learn a few phrases before traveling, then apps like the Ling Slovak app might be the best option for you.
What Are The Chances Of Slovak Appearing In Duolingo?
It’s a fact that many people would like to see Slovak In Duolingo. However, I would advise them not to get their hopes high. I doubt that the English/Slovak course will ever happen on Duolingo.
Like in any other international service, Slovakia is a totally unpopular and overlooked country (Netflix stopped creating Slovak subtitles). The most common answer to those situations is that Slovaks understand Czech so they can use that language in conversation with foreigners. I am so discouraged since in language learning it does not work that way.
Duolingo has proven to be pretty a disappointment in this regard. So, maybe you should consider using Ling App for learning the Slovak language.