No Malayalam on Duolingo? Here are 3 Great Alternatives

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So, you want to learn Malayalam? Good for you!

Known for its intricate script and long, compound words, Malayalam is a Dravidian language spoken primarily in the state of Kerala, India, and the union territory of Lakshadweep. It is also spoken by the large Malayali diaspora around the world.

With over 35 million speakers, Malayalam was recognized as a Classical Language of India in 2013, a testament to its rich literary history. Its unique phonology, including a large number of retroflex consonants, can be challenging but fun to learn. And, of course, learning this language leads to learning more about a vibrant culture!

While many language learners turn to popular platforms like Duolingo, you may be surprised to find that there isn’t a Duolingo Malayalam course available. However, this doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

Lucky for you, there are several Duolingo alternatives that can help you learn Malayalam. Below are some of the best options.

Why is Malayalam not on Duolingo?

So, why is Malayalam not on Duolingo? It’s a valid question, especially when you see the sheer variety of languages Duolingo offers.

The platform has an impressive roster of over 40 languages, ranging from global powerhouses like Spanish and French to less commonly taught languages like Navajo and Scottish Gaelic. They even have courses for conlangs like High Valyrian from Game of Thrones and Klingon from Star Trek, which makes you wonder why a language spoken by over 35 million people isn’t on the list.

The likely reasons for this are a combination of business and logistics. Duolingo primarily focuses on languages with a large number of potential learners, or those that are in high demand in specific markets. While Malayalam has a significant number of speakers, the number of people globally who are actively seeking to learn it might not meet Duolingo’s internal metrics for course creation.

In the past, many of Duolingo’s smaller or more niche courses were created through their volunteer-led incubator program. This was how languages like Haitian Creole and Welsh were developed and brought to the platform.

However, Duolingo ended this program in 2021, shifting to a model where all new courses are developed by its in-house team. This change means that unless a language is a high-priority project for the company, it’s unlikely to be added soon, which unfortunately seems to be the case for Malayalam.

These are just speculations, and Duolingo has no official statement regarding Malayalam. For now, you can simply look to other resources. Let’s look at some of them, shall we?

The best Duolingo alternatives for learning Malayalam

Want to start growing your Malayalam vocabulary? Do you want to start speaking right away? Or perhaps understand Malayalam grammar? Regardless of your goals, these Malayalam learning apps can help.

1. uTalk

Learn Malayalam on uTalk

An aspiring polyglot’s dream-come-true, uTalk has courses for over 150 languages. This goes beyond the most popular languages, covering niche ones like Welsh, Uzbek, Sinhala, and more.

For Malayalam, the app boasts an impressive library of over 2,500 essential words and phrases across more than 60 everyday topics. The learning process feels more like play than work, with a series of quick, engaging games at various difficulty levels.

A standout feature is the ability to record yourself and compare your pronunciation directly with clear, authentic audio from both male and female native Malayalam speakers. This is a huge help in perfecting your accent.

Find out how uTalk can boost your language skills with this in-depth review.

Key features:

• Extensive library of Malayalam vocabulary
• Authentic audio from both male and female native speakers
• Game-based lessons for engagement and retention

2. Talkpal

Learn Malayalam on Talkpal

Ready to move beyond basic flashcards? Consider Talkpal.

This GPT-powered AI tutor transforms learning Malayalam into a series of immersive, real-time conversations. Unlike traditional apps, it focuses on active communication, giving you instant feedback as you chat and helping you polish your grammar and pronunciation on the fly.

The platform covers reading, listening, and speaking through personalized lessons and creative challenges. You can dive into various modes like Roleplay, Character chats, or even Debates to keep things interesting. It also features game-like elements and insightful questions for a fun, low-pressure path to fluency.

Key features:

• Natural, open-ended dialogues
• Instant feedback on your sentence structure and pronunciation
• Content tailored for your skill level

3. Language Curry

Learn Malayalam on Language Curry

Language Curry stands out by focusing specifically on Indian languages, which means you get cultural context alongside its lessons.

This app is designed for conversational learning, teaching you practical vocabulary and phrases through vocabulary flashcards and quick, engaging exercises. Every word, phrase, and sentence is backed up by high-quality audio recordings from native speakers, ensuring you get the pronunciation just right. It also offers helpful grammar tips and hints along the way.

While the app itself is great for speaking, a key thing to note is that it doesn’t teach the script. However, if you want a more structured approach, you have the option to enroll in live classes with a tutor, which can help solidify your knowledge and practice with a real person.

Key features:

• Focused on Indian languages and cultural context
• Teaches conversational skills with practical vocabulary
• High-quality audio from native speakers

Other great resources for learning Malayalam  

The above apps can help jumpstart your Malayalam learning journey, but they’re not enough in the long run. To ensure you reach your long-term goals, I recommend using a mix of Malayalam learning apps, online courses, Malayalam books, and other resources that can help you develop your skills.

Here are some of the best ones out there:

Preply: This is another site where you can find Malayalam tutors. Preply gives you access to well-rated, reliable tutors and affordable classes. You can choose how many classes to take and when to take them. And if, for some reason, you’re not satisfied with your first tutor, Preply offers a free replacement.

italki: This platform connects you with native-speaking Malayalam tutors who can converse with you in real time and provide instant feedback. These tutors can also customize their lessons based on your needs and goals. Plus, you can choose a tutor based on your budget and preferred schedule.

Cudoo: This Malayalam course consists of two levels, totaling 47 lessons. It covers essential vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. You have full lifetime access, so you can learn at your own pace and revisit lessons as you wish. Upon course completion, you get a certificate that you can share on LinkedIn or with your current or future employers.

Mango Languages: This app uses “Intuitive Language Construction” to break down real-world Malayalam conversations, teaching you grammar and culture through color-coded patterns. The voice-comparison tool is a standout for nailing those tricky pronunciations.

Speak Malayalam 360: This app focuses on developing your listening and speaking skills by presenting words and phrases from various categories, all with native speaker audio. It also lets you practice grammar rules through quizzes.

Learn Basic Malayalam in Six Weeks: Using an organized approach to the language, this textbook-and-workbook combo teaches Malayalam through 42 lessons and tons of worksheets. It focuses on the essentials and keeps you engaged with its clear structure.

Malayalam 101: This straightforward app offers an interactive way to learn the Malayalam vowels, consonants, and numbers. While there are no vocabulary, grammar, or speaking lessons, it does a great job of helping you master the characters through its easy, normal, and freestyle modes.

Malayalam-English Dictionary & Phrasebook: Published by Hippocrene Books, this bilingual dictionary is packed with 4,000 entries, essential phrases for everyday situations, and a quick rundown of Malayalam grammar. A handy resource for learners of all levels.

Learn Spoken Malayalam for Absolute Beginners: This highly-rated 8-hour course on Udemy teaches the fundamentals of Malayalam conversations, lets you role-play scenarios, and boosts your vocabulary.

Learn Malayalam with EliKutty: Married to a Malayalee, Eli started out as a Malayalam learner. So, she can relate to your learning struggles! This channel is a gold mine of pronunciation tips and tricks, handy grammar lessons, and occasional vlogs that give you a glimpse into Malayalam culture.

Conclusion

No Duolingo Malayalam? No problem!

With the above apps, courses, books, and other Malayalam learning resources, you can tackle this language from the comforts of your home. The absence of a Malayalam course need not stop you from learning this beautiful and important language.

Regardless of which app you start learning with, remember to stay disciplined and practice regularly. Soon enough, you’ll reach fluency!