Digital supplementation in language education: Evaluating mobile application’s impact in large classroom settings

Integrating digital tools into language education has transformed traditional
\nteaching methods, offering greater flexibility, increased engagement, and personalized
\nlearning opportunities. This study explored how effective Duolingo can be as a
\nsupplementary tool in a large speaking class of 60 first-year undergraduate Informatics
\nEngineering students at a university. With the challenges of managing a large group
\nand varying levels of language proficiency, this study applied a descriptive qualitative
\napproach over half of the semester to assess Duolingo's impact on student engagement,
\nmotivation, and English proficiency. Data were gathered through Duolingo’s tracking
\nsystem, weekly self-reflection reports, in-class observations, and informal interviews.
\nThe analysis revealed that Duolingo significantly boosts student motivation and
\nprovides valuable practice opportunities outside the classroom, especially in vocabulary
\nand grammar. The quantitative data showed consistent student engagement, with many
\nstudents regularly earning experience points (XP) and meeting their weekly learning
\ntargets. However, the study also highlighted some challenges, such as Duolingo’s
\nlimited focus on developing conversational skills and the difficulty of addressing the
\nvaried proficiency levels within such a large class. While students enjoyed the gamified
\naspects of Duolingo, they expressed a need for more interactive speaking exercises to
\nhelp build fluency. Overall, the findings suggest that Duolingo is a useful supplement
\nto traditional language instruction, enhancing engagement and offering personalized
\npractice.