We actually tested a few ideas focused on language exchange, but sadly they didn't work out well for us. One example was Clubs, another one was Birdhouse (Duolingo's version of Clubhouse), and another one was Events (live discussions over zoom with a vetted, volunteer facilitator). Maybe down the road the team will find a new angle to make it work!
Ye it seems like it would be super useful, it's how I learnt Spanish. I find Duolingo is good for the basics but less useful as you get more advanced and need to actually engage in conversation to improve.
There's a language exchange app called Tandem that does it really well, maybe worth looking into 🤷♂️
It’s absolutely insane how Duolingo retain their users (actually, me) The gamification system works with perfect psychology. You inspire me to create a case about this too. Keep creating this kind of content 💪
I created a Google sheets version of the data model for user growth ("Phase 3: Using data and models"), which lets you enter the metrics relevant for your company, and simulate the impact on DAU/WAU/MAU with different metric growth rates.
I believe that what has contributed the most to my daily use of Duolingo is when I open my phone and see that the owl gadget is about to break my streak. Above the annoying notifications or the leaderboard, which in my case are not important.
Thanks for sharing Jorge! The "be aware of the similarities AND differences when borrowing features" sticked with me. Do you have any practical advise how to hold oneself accountable to critical thinking give the daily constraints (personal biases, company politics, deadlines pressures...)?
Hi Alex, I think the key is to be a good listener, e.g. What are other people in the team saying? Do you yourself have any simmering doubts? Don't be afraid of contrarian ideas, rather lean into those to learn more and make adjustments as necessary.
Eventually, a leader has to make a decision with imperfect information, and hence risk; but hopefully, by making space to listen and explore, you've diminished that risk. Do that consistently, and the teams' batting average should increase over time
Nothing beats real life examples (especially including failures) in deep detail like this! 🙏
Thank you Daniel!
Would love to hear more about the acquisition bets that you referenced warrant their own case study! Great article.
HOW IS THIS FREE? So good & insightful!
Great article! Duolingo's definitely improved a lot in the last few years but hoping they can add more soon.
Would be great to have a way to do a language exchange directly with other users 🙂
Thank you, Harry!
We actually tested a few ideas focused on language exchange, but sadly they didn't work out well for us. One example was Clubs, another one was Birdhouse (Duolingo's version of Clubhouse), and another one was Events (live discussions over zoom with a vetted, volunteer facilitator). Maybe down the road the team will find a new angle to make it work!
Ye it seems like it would be super useful, it's how I learnt Spanish. I find Duolingo is good for the basics but less useful as you get more advanced and need to actually engage in conversation to improve.
There's a language exchange app called Tandem that does it really well, maybe worth looking into 🤷♂️
Makes sense. I also think conversational generative AI can play a big role closing those gaps in learning outcomes
Duolingo's gamification is great!
It was great to read about such a detailed user segmentation, its insights and features as a consequence of that analysis! Very thought-provoking.
thank you for sharing your insights & experience Jorge, this is worth more than a dozen books & lectures at any business school.
It’s absolutely insane how Duolingo retain their users (actually, me) The gamification system works with perfect psychology. You inspire me to create a case about this too. Keep creating this kind of content 💪
Awesome work and thanks for sharing with us your approach for gamification.
Fantastic read!
Amazing read with a detailed look at real examples and experiments 💕🙌
This is mind-blowing, and might just change the trajectory of my org if we adopt (and adapt) these insights well. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻
Great article!
I created a Google sheets version of the data model for user growth ("Phase 3: Using data and models"), which lets you enter the metrics relevant for your company, and simulate the impact on DAU/WAU/MAU with different metric growth rates.
Hope it's helpful for other people too :)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1naINhb-Ol3n1-rHfL6YF8jar8JPlcI43OLJ3H1_Tqwc/edit#gid=720408562
Nice! Thank you, Thomas!
Wow. This. Is. AMAZING. I'm a frequent user of Duolingo and... Man this article is AMAZING.
Woohoo! Thanks for sharing these insights (failures and successes), Jorge! Great case study :)
I believe that what has contributed the most to my daily use of Duolingo is when I open my phone and see that the owl gadget is about to break my streak. Above the annoying notifications or the leaderboard, which in my case are not important.
You don't know how many times I showed the widged different versions to my friends!
Thanks for sharing Jorge! The "be aware of the similarities AND differences when borrowing features" sticked with me. Do you have any practical advise how to hold oneself accountable to critical thinking give the daily constraints (personal biases, company politics, deadlines pressures...)?
Hi Alex, I think the key is to be a good listener, e.g. What are other people in the team saying? Do you yourself have any simmering doubts? Don't be afraid of contrarian ideas, rather lean into those to learn more and make adjustments as necessary.
Eventually, a leader has to make a decision with imperfect information, and hence risk; but hopefully, by making space to listen and explore, you've diminished that risk. Do that consistently, and the teams' batting average should increase over time