Guys, I consider Duolingo the best app for those who are starting to learn English. But not just for starters. With some adjustments, which I will list here, and adding Google Images and Youglish to your toolbox, you will certainly enjoy your studies even more, improve your communication skills in English and also be able to apply it to other languages you are practicing.
Listen to the audios before reading the lesson phrase – In Duolingo, before reading the lesson phrase, listen to the audio without looking at the possible translation and try to understand what is being said. When reading the English sentence of the lesson, avoid also reading the Portuguese meanings that appear on the screen. It is quite possible that avoiding translation is difficult for you, however insist, try to replace the translation with the image that that phrase or word can bring to your memory. To help with this, adopt the following tip:
Focus on Meaning Using Images – Want to learn new words and phrases by reducing your tendency to translate? So replace Google Translate with Google Images and Youglish. Do so, instead of using Google Translate to get the meaning of the word, use Google Images. You can also use Youglish. Youglish is a video search tool, in which you present a word or phrase and it brings as a result a sequence of videos with the excerpts in which the word or phrase you searched for is used, including subtitles in the same language as you. did the search
Repeat aloud what you read – As you learn words and phrases, repeat to yourself or a partner what you read or hear. Practicing using your voice (and if possible also your body language) will: (I) strengthen the facial muscles, train the muscles required for pronunciation and also develop muscle memory by integrating English into the use of your body; (II) in addition, your ability to understand will improve as you listen to yourself using the words (III) and your conversation will be more fluid, as you both get used to talking and you get used to listening.
“If he speaks to a man in a language that understands, if he puts it in his head. If he speaks in his own language, he strikes the heart”.
Nelson Mandela