Handout

Duolingo on the target

New technologies are normally associated with innovation. Thinking about foreign language learning, but more specifically in the study of french as second language, we find a lot of mobile applications as Duolingo that promise a new and fun way to learn. In its case, despite its game appeal, there are some aspects of its functionality that make us inquire its relevancy in a context that promotes the student autonomy and insertion in social and cultural practices of language.

Concepts to examine:

1) M-learning

2) Social actors, multiliteracies and task approach

3) Games and gamefication as learning tools

4) Language in a behaviorist and in a socio-critical approach]

Other points

a) Duolingo presentation

b) The gap between game developers and educators

c) A critical view of technology