Open the course menu and select a new language
To add a course in Duolingo, start by opening the app or visiting the website. On the home screen, look for a button or menu option that shows your current courses — this is usually a profile icon, a menu icon (three horizontal lines), or a "Courses" tab depending on which device you're using.
Tap or click on that menu, then look for an option labeled "Add a new course," "Browse courses," or a plus sign (+). Duolingo will show you a list of available languages. Scroll through and select the language you want to learn.
Once you've chosen a language, Duolingo may ask you to pick a starting level — beginner, intermediate, or advanced — based on whether you already know some of that language. Select the level that matches your current knowledge, then confirm your choice.
Key Takeaways
- You can add a new course by opening your profile menu and selecting "Add a new course" or a similar option.
- Duolingo lets you choose your starting level when you add a course, so you don't have to start from the very beginning if you already know some of the language.
- You can have multiple courses active at the same time and switch between them whenever you want.
- The exact button names and menu locations vary slightly between the mobile app and the website, but the process is the same.
Where to find the add course button on mobile
On the Duolingo mobile app for iPhone or Android, the easiest way to add a course is through the home screen. Look at the top of the screen — you should see your current course name or a profile icon. Tap the profile icon (usually in the top left or top right corner).
From there, scroll down until you see "Courses" or "My Courses." Below your active courses, you'll find a button that says "Add a new course" or shows a plus sign. Tap it, choose your language, pick your level, and you're done.
Where to find the add course button on the website
On the Duolingo website, the process is similar but the menu layout is slightly different. Log in to your account, and you should land on your home page showing your current course or courses.
Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, or check the left sidebar if it's already visible. Click on "Courses" or "My Courses." You'll see your active courses listed, and below them should be a button or link that says "Add a new course" or "Browse all courses." Click it, select your language, choose your level, and confirm.
Managing multiple courses at once
One of Duolingo's strengths is that you can learn more than one language at the same time. Once you've added a second course, both will appear on your home screen. You can switch between them by tapping or clicking on the course name at the top of the lesson screen.
Your progress in each course is tracked separately, so your daily streak, level, and lessons completed in Spanish won't affect your French course. You can work on one course one day and another course the next day, or alternate between them in a single session.
Choosing the right starting level for a new course
When you add a course, Duolingo asks whether you're a complete beginner or already know some of the language. If you're learning a language for the first time, select "Beginner" or "I don't know this language." This starts you at the beginning of the course structure.
If you already speak or understand some of the language, you can choose "Intermediate" or "Advanced" to skip ahead. Duolingo will place you further into the course, and you'll start with more complex lessons. If you find the level too hard, you can always restart from the beginning — there's no penalty for doing so.
What happens after you add a course
After you add a course, it becomes active when ready. You'll see it on your home screen alongside any other courses you're taking. Duolingo will start sending you reminders to practice (if you have notifications turned on), and your daily streak will explore to whichever course you practice.
You don't have to start a lesson right away — the course will sit there until you're ready. If you change your mind and want to remove a course later, you can do that through the same menu where you added it, though the exact steps vary slightly between the app and website.
Troubleshooting: Course not showing up
If you've added a course but don't see it on your home screen, try closing and reopening the app, or refreshing the website. Sometimes Duolingo takes a few seconds to sync the new course across all your devices.
If the problem persists, check that you're logged into the correct account — if you use Duolingo on multiple devices, make sure you're using the same email or login method on each one. If you're still not seeing the course after refreshing, try logging out and back in. If none of these steps work, contact Duolingo's support team through the app or website for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more than two courses at the same time?
Yes. Duolingo doesn't limit the number of courses you can add. You can learn three, four, or more languages simultaneously. Keep in mind that maintaining a daily streak across multiple courses requires practice time each day, so most learners find two or three courses manageable.
Do I have to pay to add a new course?
No. Adding courses is free on Duolingo. You can add as many courses as you want without paying anything. Duolingo's free version includes all languages and all course levels.
What if I add a course by mistake?
You can remove a course from your active list by going back to the Courses menu, finding the course you want to remove, and selecting "Remove" or a similar option. Your progress in that course is saved, so if you add it back later, you'll pick up where you left off.
Can I add a course in a language that uses a different alphabet?
Yes. Duolingo offers courses in languages that use different writing systems — Arabic, Russian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and others. When you add one of these courses, Duolingo teaches you the alphabet or characters as part of the early lessons, so you don't need to know them beforehand.