Market Opportunities
Duolingo is a highly mission-based company, with their mission being to bring free education to the world. And so far, it’s working. Anyone with access to the internet and a mobile phone or computer can receive immediate benefit from the platform. As such, Duolingo can be seen to cross market borders, and can exist as a parallel entity to K12, Higher Education or Corporate institutions. Their core market focus is simply people looking to learn a language, for any reason, and judging by their current user base - over 300 million - their focus is this is a huge market.
However, this is not to suggest Duolingo is not working to capitalize on potential educational partnerships; Duolingo for Schools is already being used by teachers and governments as a blended learning companion and support app (Crowther, Kim, & Loewen, 2017). Around 15% of language classrooms in the U.S. already use Duolingo. The platform can blend seamlessly in to existing lessons with uses such as extra credit homework and in-class exercises.
However, this is not to suggest Duolingo is not working to capitalize on potential educational partnerships; Duolingo for Schools is already being used by teachers and governments as a blended learning companion and support app (Crowther, Kim, & Loewen, 2017). Around 15% of language classrooms in the U.S. already use Duolingo. The platform can blend seamlessly in to existing lessons with uses such as extra credit homework and in-class exercises.
Reaching a Global market
Duolingo already reaches millions worldwide, but what draws them to learn a new language in the first place? Many learners simply want to learn some of the world’s most spoken languages, such as English (#2), Spanish (#4) or French (#10). However, as immigration increases so does the desire, or need, to learn their new home’s language. Duolingo even helps many locals learn their own official language. The accessibility and variety on offer allows almost any learner to improve their quality of life through the app.