Study Notes on the Use of Duolingo Apps to Improve English Vocabulary Learning

Education is described as the process of acquiring knowledge and skills.
Learning English involves skill-based learning that necessitates various approaches and techniques.
The impact of technological advancements has significantly influenced current education methods.
The introduction of smartphone applications, specifically Duolingo, presents an innovative approach to language learning.
Research Focus: Examine how Duolingo apps assist in improving student vocabulary at Borneo University of Tarakan.
Research Design: Pre-experimental research utilizing a pre-test and post-test methodology involving 10 students over a period of 30 days with daily practices on Duolingo (20 XP/day).
Instruments: Tests and questionnaires were utilized to answer the research question regarding vocabulary improvement through Duolingo.
Initial results suggest an increase in student scores, providing insights for both teachers and students to expand language learning in a more accessible manner.

Vocabulary is integral to all aspects of learning English, serving as a fundamental building block for language proficiency.
Richard [1] defines vocabulary as a core component of language proficiency that heavily influences a learner's ability to speak, listen, read, and write effectively.
Learners face challenges in mastering English without a robust vocabulary.
Important Strategies for Vocabulary Acquisition: traffic examples include:
- Listening: Engaging with radio broadcasts and native speakers.
- Reading: Utilizing diverse contexts and media, including television.

Teachers play a critical role in fostering vocabulary enhancement strategies among learners.
Innovative teaching methods and media should be employed to elevate student enthusiasm in vocabulary learning.

Apps like Duolingo offer contemporary methods for learning English through smartphone accessibility.
Duolingo's Overview:
- Duolingo is a language learning platform available for free, which also allows users to participate in translating web content.
- Offers various language learning options including English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch.
- Facilitates interactive learning through points, course summaries, user engagement metrics, etc.
Munday [7] asserts that Duolingo is often preferred over traditional assignments due to its user-friendly interface and engaging nature.
Research Purpose: To evaluate Duolingo's contribution to vocabulary enhancement among second-semester students at Borneo University of Tarakan.

The study utilized a pre-experimental design with one group subjected to pre-test and post-test assessments.
Participants: 19 second-semester English Education students at Borneo University of Tarakan during the 2018/2019 academic year.
Practice Regimen: Daily practice on Duolingo for 30 days, aiming for 20 XP per day.

Vocabulary Test:
- Measured vocabulary mastery through a pre-test (25 questions) and a corresponding post-test.
- A significant improvement is inferred if post-test scores exceed pre-test scores.
Questionnaire:
- A closed-ended questionnaire using a Likert scale consisting of 12 questions assessing learners’ perceptions of Duolingo's effectiveness and engagement levels.
- Administered at the study's conclusion.

Scores Summary: A detailed scoring table indicates pre-test and post-test results for each learner.
Mean Scores:
- Pre-test mean score: 57.47
- Post-test mean score: 79.15
- Notably, the highest post-test score was 92, while the lowest was 64, indicating all participants surpassed the minimum criteria after using Duolingo.
Significance of Improvement:
- A significant improvement in average scores was noted (pre-test: 44.75 vs. post-test: 59.75, p-value = 0.678).

Learners’ Interest in Duolingo:
- 75% strongly agree, and 17.5% agree that Duolingo stimulates interest and motivation in learning vocabulary.
- Describes Duolingo as helpful, easy to use, and engaging for active vocabulary practice.
Disadvantages of Duolingo:
- 49% strongly disagree and 48.5% disagree that Duolingo is boring or difficult, while 3% found it lacking in usefulness.
Advantages of Duolingo:
- 89% of learners strongly agree, and 10% agree that Duolingo is beneficial for vocabulary learning, aiding in understanding and practical application.
- 1% disagreed about its utility in vocabulary learning.

The research found overall positive responses and significant vocabulary improvement due to Duolingo usage.
Conclusion: Duolingo provides an engaging platform that enhances vocabulary mastery by making the learning process enjoyable, accessible, and effective through a technology-integrated approach.
Implication for Educators:
- Educators in the Industry Revolution 4.0 should integrate technology into English language instruction, employing tools like Duolingo that are user-friendly and effective.

[1] J. C. Richards and W. A. Renandya, “Project work: A means to promote language and content,” in Methodology in language teaching: an anthology of current practice, 2002.
[2] V. Jašková, “Duolingo as a New Language-Learning Website and Its Contribution to e-Learning Education,” 2014.
[5] S. Krashen, “Does Duolingo ‘Trump’ University-Level Language Learning?” Int. J. Foreign Lang. Teach., 2014.
[7] P. Munday, “THE CASE FOR USING DUOLINGO AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE,” RIED. Rev. Iberoam. Educ. a Distancia, 2015.