A group of drivers at the Warburtons depot in Port Talbot has got together to study languages using Duolingo.
Duolingo is a free language-learning program perfect for people on the go. Its website and mobile apps are available to anyone with an internet connection plus a computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can practise speaking, reading, listening and writing, play games, answer questions, and complete short lessons every day.
Steve Gardner has been learning Welsh and has been instrumental in setting up the group.
Steve said:
Several of us expressed an interest in studying another language although as always, time constraints meant that it was quite impractical. However, with Duolingo, it enables people with hectic lifestyle and full-time jobs to study in short, sharp burst when the opportunity arises. Word of mouth and conversations with the WULF Project Manager put us on the right track to begin studying.
What made us join is the fact that we were all keen to learn something very accessible instead of through the usual channels which would prove to be more difficult considering our busy work/life schedules.
We find it convenient that any downtime or waiting period at work can mean we can quickly op up and start a lesson. The format it uses and the prompts it gives us throughout the day can be beneficial, especially if you want to keep up a learning streak. I have even found myself completing a lesson at the pub while waiting for food!
All of us feel that we would recommend this method of learning to others, as the pros outweigh the cons, thanks to the format of the app. However busy you may be, there is no excuse not to complete a daily 10-minute lesson.
We have all experienced days when it’s been so hectic that we’ve hardly had time to look at our phones. Thankfully with the reminders you get through the app, we often get to do at least some studying which keeps the learning streak going.
There are many benefits of learning as a group with your work colleagues as we all tend to chat about the course and often exchange “pleasantries” in the languages we are learning. As the group has a scoreboard in gives that element of competition in a light-hearted manner.
To find out how to set up a language club in your workplace or use Duolingo to learn another language, please contact URTU Learning HERE.
