Open the course menu and select a new language
To add a course on Duolingo, open the app or log into the website, then tap or click the profile icon in the bottom right corner (on mobile) or top right (on desktop). From there, select "Learning languages" or "Courses". You will see a list of languages you are already learning, with a button or link that says "Add a new language" or shows a plus sign.
Tap or click that button. Duolingo will show you a list of available languages. Scroll through and select the language you want to learn. The app displays how many lessons are in each course and sometimes shows a preview of what you will learn.
Choose your starting level
After you select a language, Duolingo asks whether you want to start from the beginning or skip ahead. If you already speak the language at some level, you can take a placement test to jump to a more advanced starting point instead of repeating material you know.
To take the placement test, select "I already know some [language]" and follow the prompts. Duolingo will ask you questions to measure your current level, then place you in the appropriate lesson. If you prefer to start from lesson one regardless of your knowledge, select "I'm a complete beginner" and the course will begin at the start.
Key Takeaways
- You add a new course by opening your profile, selecting "Learning languages" or "Courses", and tapping the button to add a new language.
- Duolingo shows you all available languages and lets you choose which one to start learning.
- You can take a placement test if you already know some of the language, or start from lesson one as a complete beginner.
- Once you add a course, it appears in your main learning feed alongside any other languages you are studying.
What happens after you add the course
Once you confirm your choice, the new course appears in your main learning feed. You will see it listed with your other active courses, and Duolingo will begin sending you reminders to practice. The app tracks your progress in each course separately, so you can work on multiple languages at your own pace.
You can switch between courses by tapping the course name at the top of the screen (mobile) or selecting it from the sidebar (desktop). Each course has its own lesson structure, so starting a second language does not affect your progress in the first one.
Removing a course if you change your mind
If you add a course and later decide you do not want to learn that language, you can remove it. Go to your profile, select "Learning languages" or "Courses", find the language you want to remove, and look for a settings icon or three-dot menu next to it. Select "Remove" or "Stop learning this language".
Duolingo will ask you to confirm. Once you remove a course, your progress in that language is saved. If you add the same course again later, you will start from where you left off, not from the beginning.
How many courses you can add at once
Duolingo does not limit the number of courses you can add. You can learn two languages, five languages, or more simultaneously. However, learning multiple languages at the same time requires more daily practice time to make progress in each one.
Most learners find that focusing on one or two languages at a time produces faster results than spreading practice across many courses. If you add a second language, consider whether you have time to practice both every day, or whether you want to focus on one until you reach a certain level first.
Adding a course on different devices
The steps to add a course are the same whether you use the Duolingo mobile app (iOS or Android) or the website on a computer. On mobile, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then select "Learning languages". On the website, click your profile icon at the top right and select "Courses".
Your courses sync across all devices. If you add a language on your phone, it will appear on your computer the next time you log in. You can practice on whichever device is most convenient and pick up where you left off on another device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a course that is not yet available in my region?
Duolingo releases new languages gradually. If a language does not appear in your course list, it may not yet be available in your region or on your device. Check the Duolingo website or app store to see which languages are currently available. You can also follow Duolingo's social media channels to learn when new languages launch.
What if I want to restart a course I already completed?
If you finished a course and want to start over, remove it from your active courses, then add it again. Duolingo will ask whether you want to start from the beginning or skip ahead based on a placement test. Selecting "start from the beginning" will reset your progress in that course.
Do I have to pay to add a second or third course?
No. Adding multiple courses is free on Duolingo. You can add as many courses as you want without paying. Duolingo's free tier includes all languages and all courses. A paid subscription (Duolingo Plus) removes ads and unlocks some extra features, but does not change how many courses you can add.
Can I add a course and pause it without removing it?
Duolingo does not have a formal pause feature. If you want to stop practicing a course temporarily without removing it, you can straightforward stop opening it. The course will remain in your list, and you can resume whenever you want. Your progress is saved even if you do not practice for weeks or months.