A 109 on Duolingo and What Sparked My Spanish Learning

I recently got a 109 on Duolingo in Spanish.

According to their scale, 100 indicates competency, so 109 is nine points past that. I believe the upper range goes to around 125. Their assumption is that once you’re at this level, you can more or less continue learning on your own.

My recent Duolingo score

My Journey with Spanish

I started learning Spanish for an unusual reason. I read the novel The Firm, and in it, the main character’s brother decides to learn a language each year while in prison to make his time useful.

So, I began my Spanish journey while I was in prison. It was a unique way to pass the time and grow. I got reasonably good, maybe at an advanced beginner level. However, there was a long break when I was living in New Hampshire. At that time, there basically wasn’t a Mexican to be found in the entire state. Without immersion, my momentum faded, and I stopped.

Rediscovering Spanish

Later, Laura began using Duolingo. We were using a program for Jack when he was young so he could learn Spanish early. Laura started learning too, and I decided to join her.

At some point, I told myself I knew enough Spanish. I thought it didn’t really change my life, so I stopped again for a couple of months. But then, I started back up, and now my Duolingo streak is around 1,500 days.

The Power of Consistency

I think Duolingo is great for language learning. Just fifteen minutes a day works wonders. It keeps the language fresh in your mind. Can you become fluent in fifteen minutes a day? Not quickly. If you want to move fast, you need more time and more immersion. But consistency matters.

The 109 suggests I’m competent. Here in Puerto Vallarta, I can largely understand the gist of what people are saying. That’s useful and also satisfying.

The Next Steps

At this stage, what I need most is conversation. There are always small technical points to improve, but the main thing is diction and flow. I want to move from point to point smoothly and understand where I am in the conversation. Listening carefully and speaking without overthinking is my current goal.

Embracing the Challenge

Learning a language is a journey filled with ups and downs. Each small victory is a step toward fluency. I encourage you to embrace the challenge. Whether you’re learning Spanish or another language, remember that every effort counts.

So, if you’re on a similar path, keep going. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. You’re building a skill that will open doors and connect you with others.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears on Medium where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.