Duolingo is working on a math app for kids | TechCrunch (2024)

Duolingo, best known for its whimsical owl and language-learning app, is working on a new product to add to its growing suite: a math app, according to CEO Luis von Ahn. The co-founder mentioned the app during an interview last week, the same day that Duolingo officially listed in the stock market.

After the interview, TechCrunch reached out to Duolingo to get more information about the app, but the company declined to provide more detail because it is “still very early” in the development process. It did say that users may learn more about it later this month at Duocon, Duolingo’s annual free conference. A May job posting shows that Duolingo has been looking for a learning scientist with a PhD in mathematics to help build out a new math app alongside a “small cross-functional team.”

The listing hints that the app will be focused on serving younger learners. It mentions that Duolingo wants candidates to have classroom experience and knowledge about teaching K-12 level math, especially with younger students between 3rd and 8th grade.

Duolingo’s current users feel mixed about the idea of Duolingo getting into math.

Duolingo can’t teach you how to speak a language, but now it wants to try

In an interview on IPO day, CEO Luis von Ahn said that users may see Duolingo accelerate its math app and that the company plans to expand beyond language learning through upcoming acquisitions. That may calm some qualms around Duolingo needing to put a ton of resources toward an entirely new piece of software or curriculum.

“If there are other subjects where we think somebody is doing a pretty good job and they have a similar mission to us, and they have a similar company culture,” Duolingo may consider acquiring the company, von Ahn said in the interview.

Math-focused edtech companies include Khan Academy, Brilliant.org, Photomath, Numerade and the recently acquired Symbolab.

For Duolingo, the math app is another chapter in its history of experimentation. The company has churned through hundreds of ideas in its decade of existence, which have had varying degrees of success.

Over the past few years, it built a product suite beyond its core app, which includes Duolingo ABC, a literacy app for kids and the Duolingo English Test. Meanwhile, Duolingo’s “graveyard” of failed ideas includes a few retired monetization strategies and AI-powered chatbots. Popular features like leaderboards sputtered before they succeeded. And math, interestingly, has always been in the back of von Ahn’s head.

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As mentioned in the Duolingo EC-1, von Ahn has always said that he and his co-founder, Severin Hacker, were thinking about making Duolingo a math app before they eventually decided on language learning.

“I love math, but if you learn math, math itself can’t make you any money,” von Ahn said in a previous interview. “You learn math to learn physics to become an engineer, whereas knowledge of English directly improves your income potential in most countries of the world.”

One user wrote that “[math] is such a key skill to learn…[and] hopefully this may provide better resources especially to those with such limited access, while being inspirational and equally engaging to those of us with more opportunities.”

Others seemed to want Duolingo to invest inwardly on its language-learning service before moving outward to other areas. “It’s odd that Duo should consider branching into Maths when its coverage of the majority of languages (with the notable exception of French and Spanish) leaves a great deal to be desired,” one user wrote.

The company can only teach from a beginner to a low-intermediate level of language fluency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). About 30% to 40% of Duolingo courses are in some stage of CEFR alignment, per the company’s last pull of metrics from May.

It may be too soon to assume how Duolingo’s math app would look, what it would offer or even if it will be monetized. Regardless, it will be Duolingo’s first formal foray into an area of education beyond language.

The company will need to find not only the product, but the philosophical overlap between the two subjects. Language learning is a skill that is benefited by cultural context and nuance, while math revolves around the goal of getting to the one right answer. However, both areas of education require methodical thinking and the ability to apply functions to get to answers. Ultimately, both rely on what Duolingo often argues is its biggest product: motivation to open up an app, and pay attention to what’s happening on the screen.

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Duolingo is working on a math app for kids | TechCrunch (2024)

FAQs

Duolingo is working on a math app for kids | TechCrunch? ›

Duolingo is launching its math app to the public months after a beta version joined the app store. The math app, named Duolingo Math, is the first subject expansion that Duolingo has made beyond its original roots of language learning and literacy.

Is Duolingo making a math app? ›

Yes, you read that right. Duolingo launched its math course during the month of September-October of 2023. Students can now make use of the math course in Duolingo to hone their math skills and practice basic math concepts on the go.

Does Duolingo have a kid version? ›

The Duolingo Kids app is designed for children aged five and up—kids younger than this may struggle to grasp the concepts being taught. It's also important to note that the platform does contain ads, although these have been designated as family-friendly.

Is the Duolingo app safe for kids? ›

Yes! Duolingo is a great way for kids to engage in something new and challenging! Just be sure to keep an eye on the comment section and hidden links if your child has a 13+ account.

What age is Duolingo math for? ›

Part of the app is meant for kids between the ages of 7 and 12, but the company says anyone looking to hone their math skills can use it. The app succeeds in feeling more like a video game than the flash card sessions and work sheets most people hated in elementary school.

What level of math does Duolingo math teach? ›

Duolingo Math was a course on Duolingo designed to teach mathematics. It helped people revisit math concepts or practice at their own level, covering up to a 4th or 5th grade level. Skills included counting, addition, subtraction, fractions, measurements, division, multiplication, and more.

How much is Duolingo for kids? ›

Does Duolingo for Schools cost money? No! Duolingo for Schools is 100% free.

How many levels are there in Duolingo for kids? ›

With 9 levels to start from, kids move at their own pace. Our gamified approach fosters a love of reading. Scaffolded lessons build on what kids know.

Does Duolingo have inappropriate content? ›

Some of these include: Inappropriate content: While Duolingo does not contain any explicit content, some of the user-generated content in the discussion forums or in language courses created by other users may not be appropriate for all ages.

How do I remove child restrictions on Duolingo? ›

Visit schools.duolingo.com. Click “Privacy Settings” in the sidebar on the left. Select or deselect the toggle next to “Enable mature content and the Duolingo Podcast.”

What is the age limit for Duolingo? ›

There is no specific age limit for taking the Duolingo English Test. Anyone who needs to prove his/her English language proficiency can take the test. Candidates below 13 years of age need parental consent to appear for the test.

Is there a Duolingo for maths? ›

duolingo math

Our free, bite-sized approach — but for math! Fun lessons help students get ahead in their math classes, while adults can brain train to boost their mental math skills.

How much does Duolingo math cost? ›

How much does Duolingo Math cost? Duolingo Math is totally free to download and is ad free to use. You don't need to worry about children being bombarded by ads while using this app or having to pay any subscription fees to get the best out of the platform.

When did Duolingo math start? ›

In October 2023, Duolingo released math and music courses in English and Spanish for iOS users.

Is Duolingo checked by AI? ›

We've combined human expertise with the power of AI for a comprehensive approach to exam supervision. Every test session is recorded via the computer, microphone, keyboard, and mouse, and then reviewed by multiple rounds of trained professionals in order to be certified.

Is Duolingo math good for adults? ›

Duolingo Math features elementary math for students and brain training for adults.

Is there an app for Duolingo for Schools? ›

Duolingo for Schools is a free layer of management that sits on top of the Duolingo language learning app. You'll gain visibility into and a level of control over your students' experience on Duolingo.

Can Duolingo actually teach you? ›

Duolingo generally does a good job of balancing the four essential skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. It doesn't remedy the fact that we might not be pronouncing the words correctly, but the ability to make and speak our own sentences is a great step toward really learning to use the language.

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