Duolingo Launches Free Advanced Language Courses Across Nine Languages

Duolingo announced on Wednesday that it's offering advanced language learning content for free across nine languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Users can access this content through the web, iOS, and Android devices. This advanced content is at the B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is the international standard for language skills that schools and employers recognize. B2 level content refers to learning materials without translations, complex scenarios, and specialized vocabulary. The new offering will include features like "Advanced Stories," which helps with reading comprehension, and DuoRadio, a podcast-like audio experience for listening comprehension. Now that Duolingo users can tap into this advanced learning content for free, they can level up their skills, whether that's practicing for job interviews, prepping for studying abroad, or tackling complex news articles, films, and books without relying on translations. The company says this positions it as the only free app to offer advanced-level learning across these nine languages at no cost. While competitors like Babbel and Busuu offer advanced courses, they typically require paid subscriptions. For instance, Busuu has some CEFR-aligned courses up to the B2 level, but the free version is pretty limited and doesn't offer lessons like grammar explanations, so users need to pay for full access. Previously, Duolingo only provided free courses that capped at A2 or B1 levels, mainly focusing on basic communication skills. The company is positioning this free advanced learning offering as an enticing opportunity for job seekers, framing language learning as a practical pathway to improving employability in an increasingly global workforce. This comes at a time when the job market remains highly competitive and overall growth has slowed. Research from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages shows that learning a second language can raise someone's employability by as much as 50%. "Reaching job-ready proficiency in a new language used to be out of reach for most people," Bozena Pajak, head of learning science at Duolingo, said in a statement. "It took years of expensive classes or immersive experiences that not everyone could access."