Why Duolingo doesn't work

Hey Freaking Nomads,

It’s Irene here, and this week I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for a while: language learning. Specifically, why Duolingo sometimes falls short for us frequent travelers and digital nomads.

Now, before you come at me with pitchforks, let me say this: I love Duolingo. The gamification, the cute owl, the daily reminders that make me feel guilty for skipping my Spanish lesson...In fact, we even ranked it as the #1 language learning app in our article on the 12 Best Language Learning Apps for Travel.

But to me, Duolingo feels like it wasn’t designed for those of us nomads, constantly juggling the chaos of life on the road. How many of us have opened Duolingo with the best intentions, only to close it five minutes later because we got distracted by a last-minute flight change? Or worse, how many of us have proudly built a 30-day streak, only to lose it because we were too busy exploring a new city or dealing with the chaos of travel? Duolingo thrives on consistency, and consistency is challenging when you’re a nomad.

And then there’s the practicality issue. Duolingo will make sure you can say “The cat drinks milk” (a lifesaver if you’re a pet sitter, I guess), but it takes forever before you learn how to order food, ask for directions, or negotiate rent. The kind of stuff that actually matters when you land in a new country.

But here’s the bigger issue: language learning is inherently social, and Duolingo keeps you in a bubble. You’re tapping away on your phone, repeating phrases to an algorithm, while the real magic of language happens in human interaction. As nomads, we’re surrounded by opportunities to practice with locals, yet Duolingo doesn’t encourage us to step out and engage.

That’s not to say Duolingo isn’t valuable—it absolutely is. It’s accessible, free (with optional upgrades), and perfect for building a basic vocabulary. The key is to use it alongside other methods that complement its strengths and fill in its gaps.

For example, when I arrive in a new country, I make it a point to learn a few key phrases right away. I’ll practice ordering at the cafe or even just saying “hello” and “thank you.” And when I'm in an extroverted mood, I even dare to ask locals how to say certain things. And they absolutely love it when you make an effort, even if you sound ridiculous!

Another method I swear by is listening to podcasts and YouTube who else follows Luisito Comunica for Spanish?!) Instead of relying solely on Duolingo’s robotic voices, I listen to podcasts or watch YouTube videos in the language I’m learning. It’s a more natural way to pick up accents, slang, and cultural nuances.

At the end of the day, language learning is a journey, and for us nomads, it’s a journey without a fixed route. Duolingo might be a great starting point, but it’s not the end-all solution. The key is to adapt your learning to your lifestyle—embrace the chaos, lean into real-world interactions, and don’t stress about losing a streak.

Until next week, keep exploring and keep learning.

Con cariño,

Irene Lidia

👀 What else...

• We’ve been testing the Nextstand K2 laptop stand, and it’s truly become a staple in our nomad kit (check our photos if you don’t believe us!). It’s lightweight, folds up small, and works well in cafes, coworking spaces, and even on shaky train tables. It’s not the most stylish stand out there, but for the price, it’s hard to beat.

Nextstand K2 Review: The Best Travel-Friendly Laptop Stand?

Find out if the Nextstand K2 is worth it for digital nomads based on our hands-on experience testing its portability, performance, and ergonomics.

Freaking NomadsJessica Saabor

• On the power bank front, the INIU B64 has officially passed the Freaking Nomads vibe check. It’s airline-approved, charges your laptop and phone at the same time, and has enough juice to get you through long work sessions. Bonus: it has a super cool techy look, so you might get some curious glances from fellow nomads.

INIU B64 Review: The Best Portable Power Bank for Laptops?

Dive into our honest, in-depth review of the INIU 64 laptop charger, including the power bank’s features, performance, and genuine value for remote workers.

Freaking NomadsJessica Saabor

✨ Our favorite nomad quote for this week

“The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton.

💼 100% remote jobs handpicked for you

Who is hiring this week? Here are some top roles to check out:

• Social Media Intern at The Render Foundation
• Backend Engineer at Runloop
• Senior Content Marketing Copywriter at Magic
• Social Media Designer at BurntWork
• Senior Product Manager at Mozilla

💡This week's pick (to make your life easier)

If your tech gear is currently living in a jumbled mess at the bottom of your bag, it’s time to meet the Peak Design Tech Pouch. This sleek, ultra-organized pouch is like a Marie Kondo-approved home for all your cables, chargers, and gadgets.

🎒 Everything in its place – Custom dividers and pockets mean no more tangled cords or frantic searches for that one adapter you know you packed.

💼 Small but mighty – It fits a ton of gear but stays slim enough to easily slide into your backpack.

✈️ Built for the road – Made with tough, weather-resistant materials, it’s ready to handle rain, dust, or whatever your travels throw at it.

✨ Easy to use – The wide zippered opening lets you see everything at a glance, so you’re not digging around when you’re in a hurry.

🖤 Looks good, too – Sleek, minimalist design that’ll make your fellow nomads jealous.

Looking for more essential gear to make your nomad life easier? Check out our full guide.

That's all for this week.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Threads if you want to get in touch with other members of the FN community.

We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!

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