Adding a new course takes two taps on mobile or three clicks on desktop

To add a course on Duolingo, open the app or website and tap or click the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select "Learning Language" or "Courses" from the menu. Find the language you want to learn and tap "Add Course" or the plus sign next to it. The course will appear on your home screen, and you can start lessons when ready.

The process is the same whether you're adding your first course or a fifth one. Duolingo lets you learn multiple languages at the same time, and each course tracks your progress separately. You can switch between courses by tapping the course name at the top of your home screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add a new course from your profile menu by selecting the language and tapping "Add Course".
  • Duolingo allows you to learn multiple languages simultaneously, with each course appearing as a separate tile on your home screen.
  • On mobile, the process takes about 30 seconds; on desktop, it's slightly longer because you navigate through more menus.
  • Once added, a course starts at the beginning unless you test out of early lessons using the placement test feature.

Adding a course on the mobile app

Open Duolingo and look for the profile icon—a small circle with your avatar or initials—in the bottom right corner of the home screen. Tap it to open your profile menu. You'll see several options including "Learning Language," "Courses," or "Settings," depending on your app version.

Tap "Learning Language" or "Courses." You'll see a list of languages Duolingo offers. Find the language you want to learn and tap the plus sign or "Add" button next to it. The app will confirm the addition, and the new course will appear on your home screen as a new tile. You're ready to start your first lesson.

Adding a course on the desktop website

Log into Duolingo on your computer and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Click "Settings" or scroll down to find "Learning Language" or "Courses." You'll see a page listing all available languages.

Click the plus sign or "Add Course" button next to the language you want. The page will refresh, and your new course will appear on your home screen. Desktop navigation has more steps than mobile, but the end result is identical—your new course is ready to use.

What happens after you add a course

Once you add a course, it appears as a new tile on your home screen alongside any other languages you're learning. Each course has its own progress bar, streak counter, and lesson queue. You can tap or click any course tile to start lessons in that language.

Your new course begins at the first lesson by default. However, if you already know some of the language, Duolingo offers a placement test that lets you skip ahead. Look for "Test Out" or "Jump Ahead" near the first lesson—this feature is optional but saves time if you're not a complete beginner.

Switching between courses

To switch from one course to another, tap or click the course name at the top of your home screen. A dropdown menu or list will show all your active courses. Select the one you want to work on, and the home screen will update to show that course's lessons and progress.

You can also swipe left or right on mobile to move between course tiles on your home screen. On desktop, straightforward click a different course tile. Duolingo tracks your progress in each course separately, so you can work on multiple languages without them interfering with each other.

Managing multiple courses at once

Duolingo doesn't limit how many courses you can add, but managing more than three or four at once becomes difficult. Each course requires daily practice to maintain your streak, and spreading your effort too thin means slower progress in each language.

If you want to pause a course without deleting it, look for a "Pause Course" or "Take a Break" option in the course settings. This keeps your progress and streak intact while removing the course from your home screen temporarily. When you're ready to resume, you can reactivate it from your profile menu.

Removing a course if you change your mind

If you add a course by mistake or decide you want to focus elsewhere, you can remove it. Open your profile, go to "Courses" or "Learning Language," find the course you want to remove, and look for a trash icon, three-dot menu, or "Remove" option. Confirm the removal when prompted.

Removing a course deletes your progress in that language, so be certain before you confirm. If you think you might return to the language later, use the "Pause Course" feature instead—it preserves your work while hiding the course from your home screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a course I've already completed?

Yes. If you've finished a course and removed it, you can add it again from your profile menu. Your progress will start from zero, but you can test out of early lessons if you still remember the material.

What if I don't see the language I want to learn?

Duolingo offers around 40 languages, but availability varies by region and device. Check that your app is updated to the latest version. If the language still doesn't appear, it may not be available in your country yet. Visit the Duolingo website to see the full list of languages offered in your region.

Do I lose my progress if I remove a course and add it back later?

Yes, removing a course deletes all your progress in that language. If you think you might return to it, use the pause feature instead. Paused courses keep your streak and lessons intact but don't appear on your home screen.

Can I add a course for a language I'm already learning?

No. Duolingo allows only one course per language. If you want to restart a language from the beginning, you must remove the current course first, which will erase your progress.

How many courses can I add at the same time?

Technically unlimited, but Duolingo's daily practice system works best with two to four active courses. More than that makes it hard to maintain streaks and make steady progress in each language.