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Spoken by some 6.7 million people (with the majority living in Armenia), Armenian is a fascinating and unique language with a rich cultural history. Believed to have originated around the 5th century AD, it is one of the world’s oldest living languages.
There are two standardized forms of Modern Armenian. Eastern Armenian is spoken in Armenia, Artsakh, Russia, Iran, and Georgia. Western Armenian is mostly a diasporic language as it’s spoken by the Armenian diaspora in the US, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, France, Ukraine, Georgia, and Uzbekistan.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Armenia, have Armenian roots, or simply want to challenge yourself with a new language, learning Armenian is well worth it. And since you’re here, I’m assuming you’re one of those who are disappointed with the lack of a Duolingo Armenian course.
But while there’s no Armenian on Duolingo, this beautiful language can be learned through other resources.
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What is Duolingo?
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Duolingo is the most popular language-learning app—it has over 575 million users after all.
Best known for its bite-sized lessons, Duolingo aims to make learning languages as fun as possible. It teaches vocabulary and some grammar and integrates listening and speaking exercises. I wouldn’t call it comprehensive but the app is indeed engaging and beginner-friendly.
Users most likely stay because of its game-like qualities. It has daily, weekly, and monthly challenges, a leaderboard that spurs competitiveness, and a ‘streak’ feature that motivates you to play daily.
But while Duolingo has over 100 courses in 40 languages, some languages are notably absent—Cantonese, Swiss German, Icelandic, Thai, and Albanian, among many others. Armenian is, sadly, not on its roster, and there’s no word on when it will be added.
That said, there are many Duolingo alternatives for serious Armenian learners and most of them go beyond playful lessons. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The best Duolingo alternatives for learning Armenian
Strengthening your Armenian skills on your mobile phone is possible, thanks to Armenian learning apps. I selected three that offer effective lessons for all skill levels.
1. Pimsleur
To untrained ears, Armenian phonology means making sounds that you didn’t know existed. Some Armenian consonants are particularly difficult to pronounce, with very subtle differences that add to the confusion.
Pimsleur is ideal for learning spoken Armenian as it walks you through the pronunciation of each word, starting with the last syllable and then working backward. Sufficient repetition helps you remember the words and become used to Armenian sounds.
This app teaches relevant Armenian expressions while also sneaking in grammar bits in the context of conversation. As of writing, both Eastern and Western courses are available as 30-minute audio lessons only but the Premium versions (which include digital flashcards, quizzes, and reading materials) will be released soon.
Key features:
- Effective audio-based program to improve your conversational skills
- Native speakers demonstrate accurate pronunciation and accents
- Uses real-world vocabulary and contextual grammar
2. LingChat
If you’ve ever wanted to chat in Armenian without the stage fright of a real-life conversation, LingChat is your perfect digital sandbox.
This AI-powered language tutor moves away from repetitive clicking and focuses on active communication. By using advanced GPT technology, it simulates real-world scenarios—from casual hangouts to professional debates—allowing you to practice Eastern Armenian in a way that feels really human.
What makes it ideal is the personalized, low-pressure environment. The AI doesn’t just wait for you to pick the right multiple-choice answer; it listens to your voice, understands your context, and gives you instant, friendly feedback on your grammar and pronunciation. Plus, it covers everything from the unique 39-letter alphabet to complex sentence structures!
Key features:
- Practice Armenian through lifelike scenarios
- Instant grammar corrections
- Brilliant speech recognition system
3. uTalk
Crammed with content, uTalk is one of the most comprehensive Armenian courses online. The app teaches over 2,000 thematic words and phrases through fun, game-like lessons.
To help you remember new vocabulary, the words come with translations, images, and pronunciation clips that feature native Armenian speakers. The playful interface makes learning more natural and less boring.
uTalk is not all about games though. The app is really helpful in honing your listening and speaking skills. Not only does it let you listen to native speakers, but it also has lots of speaking drills where you can record yourself and perfect your accent!
Key features:
- Learn lots of Armenian words and phrases at your own pace
- Game-based learning makes words stick
- Audio featuring real native speakers
Other great resources to learn Armenian
When you’ve exhausted Pimsleur, LingChat, and uTalk, or you simply want to learn from a variety of platforms, I recommend exploring these Armenian learning resources.
Preply: Finding online Armenian tutors at affordable rates on Preply is quite easy. Browse through profiles to see their specialties, ratings and reviews from other students, as well as check the tutor’s availability. Armenian tutors usually charge around $15/lesson but discounts are available.
Cudoo: Available in one level (beginner), Cudoo’s Armenian course has 20 self-paced lessons teaching useful words and phrases. You have lifetime access to these lessons but you’ll receive a certificate as soon as you complete the course!
Learn to Read Armenian in 5 Days: It may sound too good to be true but this book offers a systematic and effective way to learn the Armenian alphabet. This makes reading Armenian much more doable. This book also teaches over 150 Armenian words that you’ll find useful in conversations.
italki: Need more tutor options? Italki has fewer Armenian tutors onboard but they all boast experience and high ratings. You’ll undoubtedly find a tutor who’ll help you become conversational in Armenian by the day.
Glossika: This app is ideal for people who have some basic knowledge of Armenian but want to boost their skills. Instead of single Armenian words, you’ll work through whole sentences. This immerses you in the language in a much more natural, if not challenging, way.
LingChat: This app turns Armenian practice into a low-pressure digital hangout. Using AI-driven characters, it lets you chat in real-time while providing instant grammar fixes and translations. It’s perfect for building speaking confidence without the typical classroom stress.
Western Armenian Dictionary & Phrasebook: Understandably, most Armenian learners choose to study Eastern Armenian. But, if for some reason you prefer Western Armenian, this is a tidy and helpful guide to the language. It comes with over 4,000 entries, phonetic guides, and an informative grammar section.
Mango Languages: Suitable for beginners, Mango Languages’ Armenian course has several lessons that focus on grammatical nuances. Culture also provides a solid backdrop to the lessons. Plus, you can record your pronunciation in the app and compare it with the recording of a native speaker.
Conclusion
Armenian may not be on Duolingo, but as you can see from the list above, there are alternative tools to help you effectively learn Armenian in a structured and engaging manner.
With these resources, you’re now equipped to embark on an Armenian linguistic adventure. Happy learning!