No Kannada on Duolingo? Here are 3 Great Alternatives

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With over 55 million speakers worldwide, Kannada, also known as Kanarese, is an important language not just in the state of Karnataka but also in many parts of India, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Georgia, which has one of the biggest Indian diaspora in the U.S., November 1 is celebrated as ‘Kannada Language and Rajyotsava Day.’

This Dravidian language has a colorful history dating back to the 5^th century AD. Thanks to its high antiquity and distinct literary heritage, it’s designated as one of India’s classical languages. It has a diverse vocabulary, a rich and complex grammar, and a unique abugida script.

All to say that Kannada is such a fascinating language, one that deserves to be learned and preserved. But where and how do you get started?

Many language learners start their journey with Duolingo — it’s convenient, free, and more engaging. However, a Duolingo Kannada course is currently unavailable.

Fortunately, there are several Duolingo alternatives that can help you get started on your Kannada learning journey. Let’s check them out, shall we?

Why is Kannada not on Duolingo?

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps today. With features like streaks, leaderboards, badges, and fun challenges, this app has mastered the art of gamified learning. Its short lessons cover core language skills — vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The best part? It’s free!

Unfortunately, like many less-taught languages, Kannada is not on Duolingo. There are a few possible reasons why this is the case.

For one, Kannada is primarily spoken in Karnataka, India, and may not have the same level of global reach as languages like Spanish or French.

You may argue that, yeah, that’s why we need to learn it, and I completely agree. But Duolingo also considers the demand and right now, there seems to be only a small community of people actively seeking to learn Kannada. This makes it less of a priority for Duolingo.

For another, developing a language course involves numerous technical considerations, such as speech recognition, text-to-speech, and grammar checking. These challenges may be more significant for a less commonly studied language like Kannada.

Given Kannada’s complexity and all these other reasons, creating a comprehensive course can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. After Duolingo shut down its Incubator and volunteer program, there have been very few new courses on the platform.

But this is just me making guesses. What’s certain is that if you want to start learning Kannada, you’ll have to do so elsewhere. Lucky for you, I’ve handpicked the best apps for learning Kannada.

The best Duolingo alternatives for learning Kannada

Whether you want to learn Kannada phrases for your next trip to India, improve your pronunciation so you can talk to native speakers, or master the Kannada script so you can read Kanarese novels, these apps can help you get started.

1. Ling

Learn Kannada on Ling

Like Duolingo, Ling is a gamified app designed to make learning not just effective but also enjoyable. Ling has comprehensive courses in over 50 languages, including South Asian ones like Kannada.

Ling’s Kannada course covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation — all taught through fun activities like mini-games, puzzles, and quizzes. Its lessons include everyday vocabulary and cultural insights.

What’s more, Ling features audio recordings of native speakers as well as a chatbot that can help you practice your conversational skills. And if you want to learn the Kannada script, you can do so with finger-tracing exercises. Neat, huh?

Key features:

• Gamified exercises to keep you engaged
• Lots of exercises to boost your conversational skills
• Writing and reading activities

2. uTalk

Learn Kannada on uTalk

As you can guess from its name, uTalk is an app that gets you talking. Through interactive lessons, you can focus on expanding your vocabulary and improving your conversational skills.

uTalks’ exercises include speaking drills, matching the spoken phrase with the correct pictures, and memory games. The audio recordings feature native speakers so you can familiarize yourself with the correct pronunciation and accent.

uTalk’s not a great option for learning grammar but if your goal is to learn as many Kannada phrases as possible (and learn how to pronounce them), this app is worth considering.

Key features:

• Short and easy-to-follow lessons
• A vast library of useful Kannada words and phrases
• Ample listening and speaking drills

3. Language Curry

Learn Kannada on Language Curry

For learners of Indian languages, Language Curry is a top choice. This app also takes the conversational approach, teaching practical vocabulary and presenting clear, high-quality audio.

Language Curry’s lessons, which can be completed in five to eight minutes, balance vocabulary with grammar and conversational practice. There are lots of grammar tips, cultural insights, and the option to record speech.

What’s more, the app offers live classes with Indian tutors. This should be helpful if you want to deepen your knowledge and receive more personalized instruction.

Key features:

• Fun, gamified lessons to keep you motivated
• Great for vocabulary building and grammar training
• Expert tutors whom you can have live classes with

Other great resources for learning Kannada  

Aside from the above apps, there are more resources you can use when studying Kannada:

italki: This platform connects you with professional teachers and community tutors who can teach you the essentials and more. You can choose a Kannada tutor based on your goals, schedule, and budget.

Cudoo: Cudoo’s Kannada courses help you boost your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and practice your pronunciation — all at your own pace. The course comes in two levels, perfect for beginners and intermediate learners.

Learn Kannada in 30 Days Through English: This book offers a structured approach, breaking down the language into manageable 30-day lessons. It covers essential topics such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners.

Simply Learn Kannada: This phrasebook-style app presents over 900 Kannada words and phrases in both phonetic and original Kannada writing. Each vocabulary item comes with an audio recording featuring a native speaker.

50 Languages English (USA) – Kannada for Beginners: This comprehensive language learning resource is designed to help learners acquire basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills. It features a clear and concise presentation of the language, with ample examples and exercises to reinforce learning.

Kannada Gottilla Academy: This online platform is dedicated to teaching Kannada, with a focus on conversational Kannada. It offers a variety of courses suitable for learners of all levels, from beginners to those seeking to improve their fluency.

Kannada TV: This YouTube channel teaches Kannada vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation through a variety of videos. What’s great is that, on this channel, you can learn Kannada from English and Hindi. Likewise, it teaches English and Hindi through Kannada.

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap!

The lack of a Duolingo Kannada course, although dismaying, shouldn’t hinder you from learning this gem of a language. With all the above resources (and many more that didn’t make this list), I’m sure you can craft a study plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Happy learning!