Where’s the Amharic course?! You probably felt very disappointed when you realized that there is no Amharic on Duolingo. It’s a bit surprising that an app that teaches over 40 languages doesn’t include one of Africa’s most important and widely spoken languages.
Luckily, Duolingo is not the only option out there. In fact, there is a great alternative that actually offers Amharic, and it might just be what you’ve been looking for.
Ling offers a fully-featured, beginner-friendly Amharic course that’s quickly gaining fans in the language learning community. If you want to know why, keep on reading.
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A Brief Overview Of The Amharic Language
Amharic is Ethiopia’s official working language and one of the most widely spoken languages in East Africa. In fact, it’s the second most spoken Semitic language in the world, right after Arabic.
However, its presence doesn’t stop there. Over the years, large Ethiopian communities have made homes in other parts of the world, carrying their language and culture with them.
In the United States, cities such as Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Minneapolis have thriving Ethiopian neighborhoods where Amharic is spoken in homes, markets, restaurants, and community centers.
The same goes for parts of Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, where the language continues to be an important thread connecting families and generations.
In the Middle East, especially in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, many Ethiopians use Amharic in daily life and within their communities.
Why Amharic Deserves A Spot On Duolingo
Out of all the languages Duolingo offers, it’s surprising that Amharic didn’t make the cut.
This is not a niche dialect spoken by a handful of people. Amharic is the official working language of Ethiopia, a country with a population of more than 126 million. It’s also one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa.
The numbers speak for themselves: approximately 32 million native speakers and millions more who use it daily for work, study, religious purposes, and cultural reasons.
But the reach of Amharic stretches far beyond Ethiopia. Due to the large Ethiopian diaspora, you’ll hear it spoken in major cities around the world.
There’s more to this than just statistics. Amharic carries centuries of history, with ties to ancient kingdoms and religious traditions.
When you look at its influence and how many people use it, it’s hard to understand why it hasn’t been added to Duolingo yet. It’s long overdue.
Is Amharic Hard To Learn?
We have to be realistic, Amharic isn’t the easiest language to learn.
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which ranks languages based on the difficulty they present for native English speakers to learn, Amharic falls into Category IV.
That means it’s considered a “hard” language, usually taking around 44 weeks (or 1100 hours) of study to reach professional working proficiency. This is mostly because it’s very different from English in terms of grammar, structure, and writing system.
One of the biggest hurdles for beginners is the Ge’ez script. It’s a complex writing system with over 200 characters, and learning to read and write them takes some practice.
That said, the script is phonetic, so once you know the characters, pronunciation becomes straightforward.
Amharic also has some tricky grammar rules and a different sentence structure, but it’s not all bad news. Many learners find that everyday phrases, greetings, and polite expressions are easy to pick up, and the language itself is beautiful to speak and listen to.
Why Is There No Amharic On Duolingo Yet?
There are a number of reasons that could justify why there is still no Amharic on Duolingo.
The first one could be that Amharic is not as popular as languages like English, Spanish, or French, so it might not be viewed as a high-priority language to create a course for.
It can also be difficult to find enough qualified experts to work on less mainstream languages, which makes it even harder to develop a course.
Another possible reason is the script. There are over 200 characters in the Ge’ez script, which is way more than what people are used to.
Duolingo has struggled in the past with languages that use non-Latin scripts, and it’s possible they just haven’t figured out a good way to teach them yet.
Hopefully, that changes soon, but luckily, there are other apps to learn Amharic, like Ling, that are filling the gap beautifully.
Duolingo Vs. Ling: Quick Comparison
You already know that Duolingo doesn’t currently offer an Amharic course, which can be disappointing for someone looking for an interactive app to learn the language.
While the app excels in many areas, it may not be the best choice for languages with unusual scripts or complex grammar structures.
On the other hand, Ling offers a comprehensive Amharic course that includes native speaker audio, script support, grammar explanations, and even cultural references.
Let’s see a brief comparison of the two platforms:
| Feature | Duolingo | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Amharic Course Available | No | Yes |
| Support for Ge’ez Script | No | Yes |
| Native Speaker Audio | Limited | Yes |
| Grammar Explanations | Minimal | Yes |
| Speaking and Listening Practice | Basic | Strong |
| Real-World Conversation Practice | No | Yes |
| Customizable Learning Path | No | Yes |
| Culture Notes and Context | No | Yes |
| Alphabet Tracing Exercises | No | Yes |
| AI Chatbot for Conversations | No | Yes |
| Free Trial Available | Yes | Yes |
The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning Amharic
If you’re serious about learning Amharic, you have found the best choice, Ling.
Unlike other apps that leave Amharic out of their language lineup, Ling offers a complete, all-around experience designed to help you actually speak and understand the language.
The app provides step-by-step lessons that focus on real-world conversations, pronunciation, and grammar, so you won’t just memorize long lists of vocabulary.
With native speaker audio and voice recognition, you will be able to perfect your pronunciation and sound more natural.
The Ling app offers tracing exercises to help you become familiar with the Ge’ez script, along with grammar notes that break down complex rules into simple, digestible chunks.
If you’re looking to understand Amharic culture, Ling’s Culture Notes introduce you to the cultural nuances of the language.
Plus, with its AI chatbot, you can practice speaking and listening skills as if you’re having a real conversation.
It’s everything other apps lack, making it the perfect tool for anyone serious about becoming fluent in Amharic.
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
One of the biggest reasons why learners prefer Ling is how quickly they start seeing progress.
Right from the first lesson, you’ll be able to greet people and introduce yourself in Amharic.
The lessons are designed to give you immediate, practical skills, so you don’t have to wait months before feeling confident in a conversation.
That sense of progress right from the start keeps you motivated and engaged, which is crucial when learning a new language.
Want to hear it from the people using the app?
Here’s what they are saying on Google Play:
“I love this app from the start, it’s minimalistic design and simple yet effective lessons bring me with ease even after only two lessons to a sense of deep accomplishment, better understanding of the language and a confidence that even I could have a simple conversation with a native speaker, albeit about two simple subjects. But hey, the journey has just begun, and this app helps me feel confident and excited about what’s on the horizon! To the creators of the app – thanks, guys! xoxo“
★★★★★
Dita Saule
“This is the best app I’ve tried for learning a language from scratch. I really love it for Thai, which is tonal and has an alphabet that is very different from English. (Toughest language I’m learning!) You can listen to practice conversations, practice drawing letters, and practice pronunciation. Much better than other apps that just have you practice vocab and listening (which this app also includes).“
★★★★★
Angela H
Frequently Asked Questions When Learning Amharic
Can I Learn Amharic Without A Teacher?
Definitely! Many people learn languages on their own these days. The key is finding tools that help guide you through the process. Ling’s lessons are built to give you a real sense of how to speak and write Amharic, even if you’re doing it all by yourself.
Is It Possible To Become Fluent In Amharic Using Ling?
Becoming fluent in any language takes time, but Ling definitely gets you there! It gives you the tools you need to get comfortable speaking, listening, and understanding Amharic.
What Is A Common Mistake People Make When Learning Amharic?
One common mistake is not paying enough attention to the Ge’ez script early on. It’s easy to focus on vocabulary and pronunciation. But if you don’t get comfortable reading and writing the script from the start, it can slow you down later.
Start Learning Amharic With Ling!
If you’re ready to learn Amharic, there’s no better time than now.
Ling makes it easy, fun, and stress-free with a hands-on, all-around approach that adapts to your pace.
Plus, you don’t have to commit right away. Take advantage of the 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
Get a taste of how Ling can help you master Amharic from the basics to real-world conversations.
No pressure, no gimmicks; just practical lessons that actually help you learn Amharic.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, Ling will guide you through every step of the way towards fluency.
Give it a try, we are sure you won’t regret it!
