How to Add a New Course on Duolingo

Adding a course takes three taps on the home screen

To add a new course on Duolingo, open the app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap "Courses" to see all the languages and courses you can start. Find the course you want, tap it, and select "Start" or the plus icon. The course will appear on your home screen alongside any courses you are already taking.

The exact steps differ slightly between the mobile app and the web version, but both let you add courses in under a minute. You can add as many courses as you want at the same time, though Duolingo will suggest focusing on one or two to build a stronger habit.

Key Takeaways

Open your profile, tap "Courses", find the language or course you want, and tap "Start" to add it to your home screen.
You can add multiple courses at once, but Duolingo recommends focusing on one or two to stay consistent.
On the web version, click your username in the top right, select "Courses", and click the plus icon next to the course you want.
Courses appear on your home screen in the order you started them, and you can switch between them by tapping or clicking.
If you have already started a course and want to add a related one (like a story course or a harder level), you will find it in the same "Courses" menu.

Steps on the Duolingo mobile app

On iPhone or Android, tap the profile icon—it looks like a person's head—in the bottom right corner of the home screen. This opens your account menu.

Tap "Courses" in the menu. You will see a list of all available languages and courses, including ones you have already started (marked as "Continue") and ones you have not yet begun.

Scroll to find the course you want to add. Tap it, then tap the "Start" button or the plus icon. The course will now appear on your home screen, and you can begin lessons right away.

Steps on the Duolingo web version

Click "Courses" from the dropdown menu. You will see the same list of available courses as on the mobile app.

Find the course you want to add and click the plus icon next to it. The course will appear on your home screen, and you can start lessons when ready.

How to organize multiple courses on your home screen

Duolingo displays courses in the order you started them, with your most recent course at the top. If you want to focus on one course first, you can add others later without losing your progress on the first one.

To switch between courses, straightforward tap or click the one you want to work on. Your streak and progress in each course are tracked separately, so you can practice Spanish one day and French the next without affecting either one.

If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can pause a course temporarily by opening it and looking for a "Pause Course" or "Take a Break" option in the settings. This removes it from your home screen without deleting your progress.

Adding story courses and specialty courses

Duolingo offers story courses and specialty courses (like Business Spanish or Conversational French) in addition to the main language courses. These appear in the same "Courses" menu and are added the same way—find it, tap or click "Start", and it appears on your home screen.

Story courses are shorter and focus on reading and listening through a narrative. Specialty courses teach vocabulary and phrases for a specific context. You do not need to finish the main course before starting a story or specialty course; they work alongside it.

What happens after you add a course

Once you add a course, Duolingo will send you daily reminders if you have notifications turned on. Your new course will have a streak counter that starts at zero, separate from any other courses you are taking.

You can earn experience points (XP) in each course independently. If you are working toward a weekly goal or competing in a league, your XP from all courses counts toward that total.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a course I have already completed?

Yes. If you have finished a course and want to review it or start over, you can add it again from the "Courses" menu. Your old progress will still be saved separately, and you can choose to start fresh or continue where you left off.

What if I do not see the course I want to add?

Not all languages and courses are available in every region or on every device. Check that your app is up to date by visiting your device's app store. If a course still does not appear, it may not yet be available in your area. Duolingo releases new courses regularly, so check back in a few weeks.

Do I have to pay to add a course?

No. Adding a course is free on Duolingo. You can take lessons in as many courses as you want without paying. A paid subscription (Duolingo Plus) removes ads and unlocks some extra features, but it is not required to add or take courses.

Can I add a course on my phone and see it on my computer?

Yes. Your courses sync across all devices linked to your Duolingo account. Add a course on your phone, and it will appear on your computer within a few minutes. Your progress updates on both devices automatically.

What if I accidentally add the wrong course?

You can remove a course from your home screen by opening it and selecting "Pause Course" or "Remove from Home" in the settings. This does not delete your progress; you can add the course back later and pick up where you left off.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.