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How We’re Learning Languages in 2026 (Without Duolingo)
- Name
- Ryan Kretch
- Threads
- @thefabryk
- About Us
- About Me
- ← Back to the blog
Duolingo. Who’s that?
We stopped using it last year. Between the energy system, constant ads, and the general shift toward squeezing revenue instead of helping people actually learn, it stopped working for us.
That doesn’t mean Duolingo is useless. It’s still fine for basics: grammar foundations, vocabulary exposure, or learning new writing systems like hiragana or katakana. But on its own? It was never going to get us speaking confidently or thinking in another language.
Fabio and I love languages, but we’re also realistic.
Fabio speaks Venetian, Italian, and English, with ein bisschen German.
I speak English and Mandarin, ein bisschen German, and I’m actively learning Italian (mostly for Fabio).
We’re not linguists. We’re not polyglot YouTubers. We’re just two people with busy lives who want language learning to actually fit into our day-to-day routines. We’re also completely fine using AI as part of the process. Used well, it lowers barriers, increases access, and fills gaps that used to require expensive private lessons.
Here’s exactly how we’re doing it in 2026.
If you want to skip right to the language learning platform discounts we have, head to this page. If you purchase anything through our links, we may earn a small affiliate commission, but at no extra cost to you. Also, we were not sponsored for this post. We use each and every one of these language products on the daily basis, and wholeheartedly recommend them!
How We’re Learning Languages Right Now
Our Current Language Stack
| Person | Goal | Platform | How We Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan | Italian (for Fabio) | Langua | Daily AI speaking practice |
| Lingoda | Finished Italian A2.1 + A2.2 | ||
| Europass | Currently working on B1 | ||
| Preply | 30-min conversation class every other week | ||
| Fabio | English (for work) | italki | 2 speaking lessons per week (2 teachers) |
| BoldVoice | Pronunciation + accent training |
Langua (AI Speaking Practice)
- Best for: Intermediate learners who want low-pressure speaking practice
- Languages: Multiple (including Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, more)
- Platform: Web-based, but mainly using on phone
- Pricing: Premium subscription (paid annually). Expensive, but discounted sales exist
- Free trial: 5 days with a monthly plan, 7 days with an annual plan
Langua was our latest discovery. I found it on Reddit while desperately searching for something after finishing Italian A2.2.
What makes Langua different is that it actually feels like a conversation. Not scripted dialogue. Not fill-in-the-blank exercises. Real back-and-forth that adapts to your interests and pushes you to explain ideas instead of just producing correct sentences.
I use it about 15 minutes a day for Italian and 15 minutes for Mandarin, usually on days when I’m not taking formal classes. It scratches the “I need to speak now” itch without scheduling or pressure. In addition, I can save individual words I hear in conversation and review them later.
That said, it’s not perfect.
Langua Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely flexible, use anytime | Buggy at times, especially for Chinese when you need to isolate certain characters but cannot at the moment |
| Great for intermediate speaking practice | Not ideal for absolute beginners |
| Supports many languages | Voice recognition can misjudge responses |
| Feels like a real conversation | AI occasionally stammers or repeats |
| Low-pressure way to stay consistent | Expensive without discounts |
Data & transparency note:
I did go down a rabbit hole on privacy and company transparency. LanguaTalk confirmed that conversations are private and not shared, but like many AI startups, the company structure isn’t ultra-visible. That’s something to be aware of, even if it hasn’t stopped me from using it.
If you’re committed to speaking practice, Langua is one of the strongest AI tools I’ve tested.
Get 20% off Langua's Annual Unlimited plan with code FABRYK20. The discount only applies to the annual plan (which is already ~40% cheaper than monthly), and you need to use it on the website, though the subscription works in the apps too.
Lingoda (Structured Group Classes)
- Best for: Grammar foundations + accountability
- Languages: German, French, Spanish, English, Business English, Italian
- Platform: Live group classes
- Pricing: Subscription-based, varies by number of classes
- Free trial: Yes
I’ll be honest: I used to hate Lingoda.
I did a German sprint years ago and found the rules borderline punishing. Fabio even got kicked out of his sprint after changing time zones, despite attending every class.
But when Lingoda added Italian, I gave it another shot (not a sprint). This time? Totally different experience.
From May to December, I completed Italian A2.1 and A2.2 at my own pace, usually around three classes per week. Small class sizes, competent teachers, and actual progression. It finally gave me a proper grammatical foundation.
Lingoda Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Learn at your own pace | Sprint rules are extremely rigid |
| Excellent student-to-teacher ratio | Credit system can be annoying |
| Strong curriculum for grammar | Less conversational than 1:1 tutoring |
| Often discounted | No Italian beyond A2 |
If you’re consistent and don’t want sprint stress, Lingoda works really well. If you miss classes often or hate rigid systems (especially if you go for the sprint), tread carefully.
Winter Sale: Up to 30% off the first month of a Lingoda Flex subscription (excluding the smallest plan). Use code ambwinter30. Offer starts Feb 9 and ends Feb 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM CET. There's also a free trial available if you want to test it out first!
italki vs Preply (1:1 Tutors)
These two get lumped together a lot, but they feel very different in practice.
Key Differences
- Pay per lesson
- Generally more experienced teachers
- Tutors are paid for trial lessons
- Easier to stay ethical as a student
- Subscription-based
- Wider range of tutor quality
- Tutors are not paid for trial lessons
- Can be extremely cheap, depending on tutor
Why We Use Both
Fabio uses italki twice a week to improve spoken English for work. He likes sticking with the same teachers and building familiarity.
I use Preply for Italian conversation because I found a tutor I genuinely like, and we’ve worked together since 2024. We have a short 30-min class once every two weeks.
This video was made in 2018 when I was using Italki for German, Arabic, Portuguese 😅. A mad time!
italki & Preply Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely flexible scheduling | Quality varies wildly |
| Access to global tutors | Often unstructured |
| Long-term tutor relationships | Ethical concerns on some platforms |
| Affordable options exist | Progress can be hard to measure |
Ethics note:
Yes, paying $3–5/hour feels uncomfortable. I’ve talked openly with my tutors about this and offered to pay more off the platform. They set their rates and are earning above local minimum wages, but it’s still something to think about.
Get $5 off italki: New users get $5 off their first purchase of $10 or more with code italkigo. Connect with native-speaking teachers for personalized language lessons at affordable prices.
Get 50% off Preply: Book a lesson and get 50% off your first session. Discount applied at checkout. Offer expires when you leave the website. Connect with expert tutors for personalized language learning.
BoldVoice (Pronunciation & Accent Training)
- Best for: Pronunciation, clarity, rhythm
- Languages: English only
- Platform: App-based
- Pricing: Premium subscription
- Free trial: Yes, 7-days
I got BoldVoice for Fabio as a birthday gift in 2024. Since then, it’s quietly changed how he speaks, even though, personally, I like the Italian accent :).
The app focuses heavily on intonation, stress, rhythm, and flow, not just individual sounds. It’s strict, sometimes frustrating, but very effective for awareness.
I’ve noticed Fabio self-correcting mid-sentence after hearing patterns from the app. That alone tells us it’s doing something right.
BoldVoice Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent pronunciation feedback | Expensive |
| Strong focus on rhythm & flow | Can feel nitpicky |
| Useful at any level | Won’t magically erase accents |
| Great alternative to costly coaches | Results require long-term effort |
BoldVoice won’t turn you into a Hollywood voice overnight. But if your goal is clarity, confidence, and public speaking, it’s a solid tool.
Get 7-day free trial + 10% off BoldVoice: Improve your English pronunciation and accent with personalized coaching from real accent coaches. Get a 7-day free trial and 10% off when you subscribe.
Final Thoughts
No single app does everything.
That’s kind of the point.
We mix structure, speaking, AI, and human interaction because that’s what actually works long-term. If something stops fitting our lives, we drop it.
Language learning doesn’t need to be romanticized. It needs to be sustainable.
If you’re curious about any of these platforms, have other tips that we've missed, or want us to update this post as things change, let us know in the comments. We’re learning too.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY: