Duolingo

Duolingo is an app that I found while exploring websites for language learning.  Duolingo is a website as well as an App Store App and part of the Google Chrome Web store.  Duolingo helps anyone learn a number of languages.  The learning is done in levels with the user earning xp points and "Lingots" for completing the various levels.  There is also the ability for users to follow eachother, which makes it easy for a teacher to follow their students to monitor progress.  Recently, the app created a classroom capability that allows students to essentially subscribe to your class and this will give the teacher all of the students' data on one screen.  I used the app as part of a rotational model in my classroom to allow for small group instruction with other students.  I would set a goal for the number of xp points the students should earn in a week, then gave out weekly prizes for the student with the most xp points for the week.  I have only used the app for French language learning, and for the most part it is fairly practical phrases that the students learn.  It is very repetitive though, so any more than 20 minutes with my Grade 9 Applied Core French class and the kids are done.