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Thinking of learning Punjabi? Good on you!
Punjabi might not be the first language on the list of wannabe polyglots, but I assure you, learning Punjabi has lots of benefits. For one, it’s not just spoken in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan but also by the overseas diaspora in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Learning this centuries-old language gives you access to the rich culture of Punjab. And who wouldn’t want the cognitive benefits tied to learning a second (or third) language?
All told, learning Punjabi is good for you. But if you’re thinking of using Duolingo to do so, you’ll have to look elsewhere because Duolingo Punjabi is not available.
If you’re serious about learning Punjabi though, I suggest taking a look at some Duolingo alternatives. Let’s go, shall we?
What is Duolingo?
Who hasn’t heard of Duolingo? This app has more than 575 million users of which 56 million are active monthly users. It is, without a doubt, one of the most popular language learning apps of the last decade.
Duolingo is known for its short, gamified lessons that aim to make learning as fun as possible. The app mainly focuses on vocabulary. Grammar, if any, is taught within context. It uses its own version of SRS to foster long-term retention, and some courses also come with podcasts, stories, and bonus lessons. You can learn more from this Duolingo review.
The best thing about Duolingo is that it’s free. I would go so far as to say that the free version is enough, unless you really hate ads and want to have unlimited hearts. That said, paying for a subscription also helps the company continue making the app free for everyone else.
Duolingo offers over 100 courses in 40 languages. This even includes conlangs like Esperanto, Klingon, and High Valyrian. But some languages like Cantonese, Icelandic, Serbian, and Punjabi are missing from the roster. If and when Duolingo plans to add these is uncertain since the Duolingo Incubator had already been shut down.
The best Duolingo alternatives for learning Punjabi
Here’s some awesome news though: there are several apps for learning Punjabi. I recommend starting with these three:
1. Pimsleur
Try Pimsleur Punjabi FREE for 7 days
Punjabi is a tonal language, which means similarly spelled words will mean differently depending on your pitch. If you speak Chinese, Thai, or Vietnamese, you might adjust to this concept faster, but for many English speakers, this takes a lot of getting used to.
To nail down Punjabi pronunciation, accents, and tones, I suggest getting an audio-based app like Pimsleur. Time-tested and backed by science, Pimsleur helps you gain speaking skills through its 30-minute core audio lessons featuring the voices of native speakers.
The program highlights simple but essential conversations using real-life vocabulary and easy-to-grasp grammar. With a total of 16 hours of lessons, you’ll gain not just new vocab but also the confidence to speak Punjabi.
Key features:
- An audio-based program that improves your listening and speaking skills
- Accurate pronunciation and accents from native speakers
- Essential Punjabi vocabulary and grammar from context
2. Talkpal
Stop settling for repetitive drills and start chatting your way to fluency with Talkpal.
This GPT-powered AI tutor makes learning Punjabi feel like a natural conversation rather than a classroom chore. By focusing on immersive, real-time interactions, Talkpal helps you sharpen your reading, listening, and speaking skills simultaneously. The best part? You get instant feedback on your grammar and pronunciation, so you can correct mistakes the moment they happen.
What’s more, the app keeps things lively with game-like elements and creative challenges. You can jump into different modes depending on your mood, whether you want to tackle a specific roleplay scenario, engage in a friendly debate, or just answer insightful questions that expand your vocabulary.
Key features:
- Immersive and practical dialogues
- Voice-to-voice interaction that builds your speaking confidence
- Instant correction on grammar and pronunciation
3. Simply Learn Punjabi
Simply Learn Punjabi is designed for travelers who want to explore the Punjab region with relative ease. But even if you don’t have immediate travel plans yet, you’ll find this app handy.
With over 1,000 phrases in 30+ categories, Simply Learn Punjabi is a robust phrasebook that can expand your understanding of the language. And because the phrases come with audio recordings of a native speaker, you’ll know how to pronounce them too.
What’s more, this app features smart flashcards to help you remember vocab just before you forget them. You can also quiz yourself and save your favorite phrases.
Key features:
- Ample vocabulary lessons
- Audio recorded by a native speaker
- Effective review methods
Other great resources to learn Punjabi
Pimsleur, Talkpal, and Simply Learn Punjabi are great jump-off points for learning Punjabi. But if you’re in it for the long haul, you’ll need a solid combination of tools.
Here are more suggestions for you:
Preply: If you want quick results, getting coaching from a native speaker is the way to go. With Preply, you can choose from highly-rated Punjabi tutors and book lessons that fit your schedule. If you’re not entirely happy with your tutor, you can get a tutor replacement at no additional cost!
italki: For more tutor options, visit italki, one of the largest tutor platforms online. Here, you can choose from professional Punjabi teachers or community tutors and get personalized lessons. Book at your preferred budget, date, and time!
Cudoo: This reputable e-learning platform offers well-designed Punjabi courses that cater to learners of all proficiency levels. Regardless of your background and motivation, you can improve your Punjabi skills at the pace you like.
Punjabi Dictionary & Phrasebook: Featuring carefully-selected Punjabi vocabulary, this book is helpful both as a quick reference and a study guide. Each entry comes with simplified phonetic pronunciation and some relevant grammar explanations.
Tandem: Aside from tutors, speaking with locals is a great way to learn Punjabi. With Tandem, you can do just that even without traveling to Pakistan or India. Simply sign up, find a language exchange partner, and teach each other’s language!
Mango Languages: One of the most comprehensive Punjabi courses online, Mango expertly features vocabulary lessons, grammar notes, and cultural insights. Plus, it’s got memory exercises and tons of listening and reading activities.
Punjabi Charm: This YouTube channel teaches Punjabi in English and Hindi. Featuring vocabulary drills and some grammar, the lessons are short and easy to digest. It also has an app!
Punjabi films: Think of it as immersion. By watching Punjabi movies, you’re getting exposed to the language and the culture. Popular Punjabi films such as Qismat, Shareek, and Punjab 1984 can be found on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Conclusion
There’s no Punjabi on Duolingo, but don’t let that stop you from learning this rich language. Armed with the alternatives above, plus your persistence and motivation, you’ll soon master Punjabi!
Duolingo alternatives for learning Punjabi – Pin it!
