The numbers behind the choice
Language Learning Statistics 2026
This page collects figures that matter when you pick a language app or course: how many people use the big apps, what they pay, what research says about results, what learners say is missing, and which languages are rising. App, survey and school data mostly cover 2025 and 2026. Adult skills figures for the EU come from the latest Eurostat and Eurobarometer editions (2022 and 2023), and US college data from the latest MLA census (fall 2021).
By the KeenVerdict research desk · Updated November 4, 2026 · 53 figures from 21 sources
58 of 58 source quotes re-checked against the original pages on November 4, 2026
The short answer
Duolingo reported 64.9 million daily active users and 13.1 million paid subscribers in Q3 2026, and Babbel says it has sold over 30 million subscriptions. Evidence that apps work is real but narrow: a 2025 Language Learning & Technology study of 337 learners found Duolingo users ahead of classroom learners on general proficiency, while the State Department budgets 24 to 88 weeks of full-time study for professional proficiency.
Key figures
- 64.9 millionDuolingo averaged about 64.9 million daily active users worldwide in Q3 2026, up 29% from 50.5 million a year earlier.Duolingo, Inc.
- 13.1 millionDuolingo had about 13.1 million paid subscribers at the end of September 2026, up 14% from 11.5 million a year earlier.Duolingo, Inc.
- 337A 2025 study in Language Learning & Technology compared 337 Spanish-speaking learners of English who studied either with Duolingo or in classrooms over 16 weeks.Language Learning & Technology
- 2,200 hoursThe Foreign Service Institute lists 88 weeks, or 2,200 class hours, for Category IV, its hardest group, which includes Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute
- 71%71% of US language app users said they would feel more confident speaking with a tutor than by only using a self-learning app, in a 2025 Preply survey of more than 1,400 app users.Preply
- 53%53% of US adults surveyed by Pew Research Center in March 2026 said it is extremely or very important for US schools to offer Spanish classes, the highest of the 10 languages asked about.Pew Research Center
- 25.3%25.3% of EU adults aged 25 to 64 said in 2022 that they knew no foreign language.Eurostat
- 132,680Provisional GCSE entries in England for summer 2026 were 132,680 for Spanish, up 0.5% on 2025, against 121,040 for French, down 5.5%.Ofqual
Our reading of the data
Language learning is now an app category with one clear leader. Duolingo reported 64.9 million daily active users and 153.1 million monthly users for Q3 2026, with daily users up 29% in a year. Paid subscribers grew more slowly, up 14% to 13.1 million. That gap is the buyer story: most people learn free, and the companies keep adding features to pull them into paid tiers. Babbel, the main paid-first rival, says it has sold over 30 million subscriptions in total.
Prices are being repackaged rather than cut. Duolingo is retiring its top Max tier and folding unlimited AI video calls into Super, while its gross margin rose to 72.9% as AI costs fell. Babbel launched a six-person group plan at $30.95 a month, just over $5 per person. Our reading: family and group plans are now the cheapest way to pay for a premium language app, and AI features that justified higher tiers are moving down to standard plans.
The evidence on results is better than skeptics assume and weaker than marketing suggests. A 2025 study in Language Learning & Technology followed 337 learners for 16 weeks and found Duolingo users ahead of classroom learners on general proficiency and receptive vocabulary, with classroom learners stronger on listening. A 2024 study in the same journal recorded gains on every measure after about 27 hours of app study. Samples are small and some authors work at Duolingo. The State Department still lists 24 to 30 weeks of full-time training for Spanish or French, and 88 weeks for Japanese, Korean, Arabic or Chinese.
Learners know apps alone fall short on speaking. In Preply's 2025 survey, 71% of US app users said a tutor would make them more confident, and in its 2026 survey 72% said fluency cannot be reached through an app alone. Babbel found 29% of Americans put in less effort because of real-time translation. Classroom study is under strain: US college language enrollments fell 16.6% between 2016 and 2021 in the MLA census, French GCSE entries in England fell 5.5% in 2026 according to Ofqual, and Eurostat reports a quarter of EU adults know no foreign language at all.
How many people use language apps
- 1.
Duolingo averaged about 64.9 million daily active users worldwide in Q3 2026, up 29% from 50.5 million a year earlier.
Duolingo, Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Source quote
For the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, we had approximately 64.9 million and 50.5 million DAUs, respectively, representing an increase of 29%, driven largely by an increase in retention of current users.
- 2.
Duolingo averaged about 153.1 million monthly active users in Q3 2026, a 13% increase on Q3 2025.
Duolingo, Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Source quote
For the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, we had approximately 153.1 million and 135.3 million MAUs, respectively, representing an increase of 13%.
- 3.
Duolingo had about 13.1 million paid subscribers at the end of September 2026, up 14% from 11.5 million a year earlier.
Duolingo, Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Source quote
As of September 30, 2026 and 2025, we had approximately 13.1 million and 11.5 million paid subscribers, respectively, representing an increase of 14%.
- 4.
Daily user growth at Duolingo accelerated to 29% year over year in Q3 2026, up from 23% in Q2 2026.
Duolingo, Inc., Q3 2026 Shareholder Letter (Nov 2026)
Source quote
Daily active users (DAUs) accelerated for a second quarter in a row to 29% year-over-year growth, up from 23% in Q2.
- 5.
Babbel says it has sold more than 30 million subscriptions in total, a cumulative sales figure rather than a count of current subscribers.
Babbel, Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026)
Source quote
With over 30 million subscriptions sold and an industry-leading retention rate, Babbel creates genuine connections with learners worldwide.
- 6.
Google said in 2025 that people translate around 1 trillion words a month across Google Translate, Search, Lens and Circle to Search.
Google, New ways to translate and learn languages with AI in the Translate app (Aug 2025)
Source quote
Every month, people translate around 1 trillion words across Google Translate, Search and in visual translations in Lens and Circle to Search.
- 7.
Google said in 2025 that live conversation translation in its Translate app works in more than 70 languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Korean and Tamil.
Google, New ways to translate and learn languages with AI in the Translate app (Aug 2025)
Source quote
Building on our existing live conversation experience, our advanced AI models are now making it even easier to have a live conversation in more than 70 languages — including Arabic, French, Hindi, Korean, Spanish, and Tamil.
What learners pay and where pricing is heading
- 8.
Duolingo's revenue grew 14% year over year to $309.0 million in Q3 2026.
Duolingo, Inc., Q3 2026 Shareholder Letter (Nov 2026)
Source quote
Revenue grew 14% over the prior year on both a reported and constant-currency basis to $309.0 million.
- 9.
Duolingo's subscription bookings reached $278.4 million in Q3 2026, up 16% from $240.3 million a year earlier.
Duolingo, Inc., Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Source quote
For the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, we generated $278.4 million and $240.3 million of subscription bookings, respectively, representing an increase of $38.1 million, or 16%.
- 10.
Duolingo's gross margin was 72.9% in Q3 2026, helped by lower costs for its AI features.
Duolingo, Inc., Q3 2026 Shareholder Letter (Nov 2026)
Source quote
Gross margin was 72.9%, a modest improvement over the prior year and above our expectations. The outperformance was primarily due to lower feature-based AI costs and favorable hosting cost trends.
- 11.
Babbel's group plan, launched in the US in April 2026, costs $30.95 a month for up to six users, just over $5 per person.
Babbel, Babbel Launches Group Plan; Brings Shared, Affordable Language Learning to Friends, Couples, Roommates and Families (Apr 2026)
Source quote
One month of group plan for up to six users is $30.95/month, effectively reducing the cost of a Babbel subscription to just over $5/month per person.
Do language apps work, and how long fluency takes
- 12.
A 2025 study in Language Learning & Technology compared 337 Spanish-speaking learners of English who studied either with Duolingo or in classrooms over 16 weeks.
Language Learning & Technology, The effectiveness of app-based and classroom-based instruction on L2 learning and motivation (Oct 2025)
Source quote
This study examined the L2-English proficiency and lexical development of 337 L1-Spanish learners enrolled in either app-based (Duolingo) or classroom-based instruction over a 16-week period.
- 13.
Independent adult learners of Spanish in a 2024 Language Learning & Technology study improved on every receptive and productive measure after about 27 hours on Duolingo; one of the three authors works at Duolingo.
Language Learning & Technology, The effectiveness of Duolingo in developing receptive and productive language knowledge and proficiency (Sep 2024)
Source quote
After about 27 hours of study, participants significantly improved in all receptive and productive ability measures, supporting the notion that language learning apps can enhance a range of language skills.
- 14.
A 2021 peer-reviewed study in Foreign Language Annals tested 225 US-based adults who had little or no prior knowledge of Spanish or French and used Duolingo as their only learning tool.
Foreign Language Annals (Jiang et al.), Evaluating the reading and listening outcomes of beginning-level Duolingo courses (Dec 2021)
Source quote
The participants (n = 225) were learners residing in the United States, had little to no prior proficiency in the target language, and used Duolingo as their only learning tool.
- 15.
A 2024 meta-analysis in Language Learning & Technology pooled 20 effect sizes from 18 experimental and quasi-experimental studies, covering 932 participants, on mobile-assisted speaking practice.
Language Learning & Technology, Effects of mobile-assisted language learning on foreign language learners’ speaking skill development (Mar 2024)
Source quote
To solve the problem, this study reported results based on a meta-analysis of 20 effect sizes among 932 participants from 18 experimental and quasi-experimental studies.
- 16.
The US Foreign Service Institute lists 24 to 30 weeks, or 552 to 690 class hours, of full-time training for its Category I languages, which are close to English, such as Spanish, French and Italian.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, Foreign Language Training (2026)
Source quote
Category I Languages: 24-30 weeks (552-690 class hours) Languages close to English.
- 17.
The Foreign Service Institute lists 88 weeks, or 2,200 class hours, for Category IV, its hardest group, which includes Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, Foreign Language Training (2026)
Source quote
Category IV Languages: 88 weeks (2200 class hours)
- 18.
German, Indonesian, Malay and Swahili sit in the Foreign Service Institute's second group, at about 36 weeks of full-time training.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, Foreign Language Training (2026)
Source quote
Category II Languages: Approximately 36 weeks (828 class hours)
- 19.
A typical Foreign Service Institute training week combines 23 hours in class with 17 hours of self-study.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, Foreign Language Training (2026)
Source quote
A typical week is 23 hours per week in class and 17 hours of self-study.
Chart
Weeks of full-time training to professional proficiency, by language
Foreign Service Institute estimates for native English speakers in full-time classes. Category III includes Russian, Hindi, Polish and Turkish; the hardest group (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) needs 88 weeks. Checked November 2026.
- Italian24 weeks
- Portuguese24 weeks
- French30 weeks
- Spanish30 weeks
- German36 weeks
- Swahili36 weeks
- Category III languages44 weeks
Source: U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, Foreign Language Training
What app learners say is missing
- 20.
71% of US language app users said they would feel more confident speaking with a tutor than by only using a self-learning app, in a 2025 Preply survey of more than 1,400 app users.
Preply, Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025)
Source quote
71% say they’d feel more confident speaking with a tutor than by only using a self-learning app.
- 21.
73% of US app users told Preply in 2025 that app speaking exercises prepare them only somewhat or very little for real conversations.
Preply, Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025)
Source quote
73% say speaking exercises in self-study apps prepare them “somewhat” or “very little” for the real world.
- 22.
54% of US app users in the 2025 Preply survey said self-learning apps limit their progress because there is no real-world engagement with other speakers.
Preply, Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025)
Source quote
54% believe self-learning apps limit their ability to learn languages because there’s no real-world engagement with other speakers.
- 23.
41% of US self-study app learners said in 2025 that they avoid speaking their new language with others because they lack confidence.
Preply, Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025)
Source quote
41% of self-study app learners don’t speak with others in their new language because they don’t feel confident.
- 24.
49% of US app users surveyed by Preply in 2025 said the technology had not helped them reach their language goal.
Preply, Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025)
Source quote
While many people seek the ability to add new language skills to their resume, 49% say the technology hasn’t helped them reach their goal.
- 25.
72% of working-age people surveyed by Preply in the US, UK and Canada in 2026 said fluency cannot be achieved through an app alone, and 92% said they learn better when practicing with a native speaker.
Preply, Moving abroad trends: Preply's language and global career mobility report 2026 (Jun 2026)
Source quote
Ninety-two percent say they learn better when practicing with a native speaker, and 72% believe fluency can’t be achieved through an app alone.
- 26.
29% of Americans in a 2026 Babbel survey said real-time translation has led them to put less effort into learning a language, and 12% called language learning increasingly unnecessary.
Babbel, Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026)
Source quote
29% said the rise of real-time translation has led them to put less effort into learning a language than before, and 12% said language learning is increasingly unnecessary.
- 27.
23% of Americans in the 2026 Babbel survey said translation apps allow a more meaningful interaction abroad than learning the language would.
Babbel, Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026)
Source quote
23% said translation apps allow them to have a more meaningful interaction than if they had learned the language
- 28.
46% of Gen Z Americans told Babbel in 2026 that they are more committed to learning a language than they were 12 months earlier.
Babbel, Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026)
Source quote
46% of Gen Z Americans said they are more committed to learning a language now than they were 12 months ago, and they are the most likely age group to prepare for a trip by learning the local dialect.
- 29.
54% of Gen Z Americans in the same 2026 Babbel survey said they use live translation regularly.
Babbel, Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026)
Source quote
54% also said they use live-translation regularly
Which languages people are choosing
- 30.
English was the most studied language on Duolingo in 154 countries in 2025, 14% more countries than in 2024.
Duolingo, Inc., 2025 Duolingo Language Report (Dec 2025)
Source quote
This year, English learning soared again, becoming the #1 language in 154 countries—an increase of 14% over 2024.
- 31.
Korean became the sixth most studied language on Duolingo worldwide in 2025, passing Italian, while Japanese rose to fourth, passing German.
Duolingo, Inc., 2025 Duolingo Language Report (Dec 2025)
Source quote
In 2025, Japanese became the fourth most popular language to study globally (surpassing German), and Korean became #6 (moving past Italian).
- 32.
Asia accounted for 55% of Duolingo English Test sessions in 2025, while Africa's share rose from 7% to 8.3%.
Duolingo, Inc., 2025 Duolingo Language Report (Dec 2025)
Source quote
Asia continued to lead the way, accounting for 55% of all test sessions, while Africa saw year-over-year growth, with its share rising from 7% to 8.3%, driven by increased popularity in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
- 33.
53% of US adults surveyed by Pew Research Center in March 2026 said it is extremely or very important for US schools to offer Spanish classes, the highest of the 10 languages asked about.
Pew Research Center, What do Americans think about language learning in U.S. schools? (Aug 2026)
Source quote
More than half of Americans (53%) think it is highly important for U.S. schools to offer Spanish classes.
- 34.
Korean enrollments at US colleges rose 38.3% between fall 2016 and fall 2021, the largest of three gains among commonly taught languages in an otherwise falling census.
Modern Language Association, Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in US Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2021 (Nov 2023)
Source quote
It is encouraging that in the face of such losses, three other commonly taught languages showed growth of varying degrees: ASL enrollments increased by 0.8%, Biblical Hebrew by 9.1%, and Korean by an astonishing 38.3%.
- 35.
The share of EU lower secondary pupils learning Spanish rose 6.1 percentage points, from 13.1% in 2014 to 19.2% in 2024.
Eurostat, Foreign language learning statistics (2026)
Source quote
An increase was observed for the share of lower secondary pupils learning Spanish (up 6.1 percentage points from 13.1% to 19.2%).
Chart
US adults who say it is extremely or very important for schools to offer each language, 2026
Survey of US adults conducted March 23 to 29, 2026. Russian (9%) and Hindi (7%) are not shown.
- Spanish53%
- Mandarin Chinese20%
- Latin14%
- French13%
- Japanese11%
- German10%
- Arabic10%
- Korean9%
Source: Pew Research Center, What do Americans think about language learning in U.S. schools?
Language skills across Europe
- 36.
25.3% of EU adults aged 25 to 64 said in 2022 that they knew no foreign language.
Eurostat, Foreign language skills statistics (Oct 2024)
Source quote
In 2022, one-quarter (25.3%) of working-age adults (defined here as people aged 25-64 years) in the EU reported that they did not know any foreign languages.
- 37.
37.6% of EU working-age adults knew one foreign language in 2022, 24.7% knew two and 12.3% knew three or more.
Eurostat, Foreign language skills statistics (Oct 2024)
Source quote
A higher proportion (37.6%) reported that they knew 1 foreign language, while one-quarter (24.7%) knew 2 foreign languages, and less (12.3%) knew 3 or more.
- 38.
Only 27.6% of EU working-age adults who knew a foreign language rated themselves proficient in their strongest one in 2022.
Eurostat, Foreign language skills statistics (Oct 2024)
Source quote
In the EU, over a quarter (27.6%) of working-age adults who knew at least 1 other language reported that their level in their strongest foreign language was proficient.
- 39.
89% of EU upper secondary pupils learned English in the 2023/24 school year, 96% in general programmes and 81% in vocational ones.
Eurostat, Foreign language learning statistics (2026)
Source quote
In 2024, 89% of pupils in upper secondary education in the EU learnt English as a foreign language: this share was 96% in general programmes and 81% in vocational programmes.
- 40.
49% of EU upper secondary pupils learned two or more foreign languages in 2024.
Eurostat, Foreign language learning statistics (2026)
Source quote
Nearly half (49%) of all pupils in upper secondary education in the EU learnt 2 or more foreign languages in 2024.
- 41.
In lower secondary schools across the EU, 30.3% of pupils learned French in 2024, 19.2% Spanish and 18.9% German.
Eurostat, Foreign language learning statistics (2026)
Source quote
Within lower secondary education, 30.3% of pupils in the EU were learning French in 2024, 19.2% Spanish and 18.9% German.
- 42.
EF's 2025 English Proficiency Index ranks 123 countries and regions using test results from 2.2 million adults who took the EF SET in 2024, and for the first time includes speaking and writing tests.
EF Education First, EF English Proficiency Index 2025: A Ranking of 123 Countries and Regions by English Skills (Nov 2025)
Source quote
This year’s EF English Proficiency Index is based on data from 2.2 million EF SET test takers in 2024.
- 43.
47% of people in the EU said they can speak English as a foreign or second language in the European Commission's 2023 Eurobarometer, up 5 percentage points since 2012; French followed at 11%.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 540: Europeans and their languages (May 2024)
Source quote
English is spoken by about half of the Europeans (47%) as a foreign or second language, notably increasing 5 percentage points since 2012.
- 44.
79% of Europeans aged 15 to 24 said in 2023 that they can hold a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue, up 5 percentage points since 2012.
European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 540: Europeans and their languages (May 2024)
Source quote
The proportion rises to four out of five among young Europeans (79% among 15 to 24 years old), with an increase of +5 pp, bringing us closer to the EU target for youth in the 2019 Council Recommendation on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages.
Chart
Number of foreign languages known by EU adults aged 25 to 64, 2022
Self-reported, EU adult education survey 2022, people aged 25 to 64.
- None25.3%
- One37.6%
- Two24.7%
- Three or more12.3%
Source: Eurostat, Foreign language skills statistics
Classroom language study in the US and England
- 45.
Provisional GCSE entries in England for summer 2026 were 132,680 for Spanish, up 0.5% on 2025, against 121,040 for French, down 5.5%.
Ofqual, Provisional entries for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2026 exam series (Jun 2026)
Source quote
Spanish 131,985 132,680 0.5% French 128,155 121,040 -5.5%
- 46.
French was taught in around 60% of responding primary schools in England in 2026, down from 70% in 2025, while Spanish rose to around 30%.
British Council, Language Trends England 2026 (Jul 2026)
Source quote
French remains the most widely taught primary language, offered in around 60 per cent of schools compared to 70 per cent in 2025.
- 47.
51% of state secondary schools in England said in 2026 that recruiting qualified language teachers is an issue, down from around two thirds in earlier years.
British Council, Language Trends England 2026 (Jul 2026)
Source quote
Just over half of state secondary schools (51 per cent) reported that recruitment of qualified MFL teachers is an issue, down from around two thirds in previous years (see Table 20).
- 48.
28% of secondary language teachers in England reported using AI tools such as ChatGPT regularly in 2026, up from 12% in 2025, and another 54% used them occasionally.
British Council, Language Trends England 2026 (Jul 2026)
Source quote
Most respondents reported using AI either regularly (28 per cent) or occasionally (54 per cent), an increase from 2025 when 52 per cent reported occasional use and just 12 per cent regular use (see Figure 23).
- 49.
43% of state secondary schools in England that answered said post-16 language classes do not run when a minimum class size is not met, up from 35% in 2025.
British Council, Language Trends England 2026 (Jul 2026)
Source quote
When asked what arrangements are in place when the minimum number is not met, 43 per cent of the 258 schools responding to this question said that classes do not run, up from 35 per cent in 2025 (see Table 15).
- 50.
52% of US adults living in urban areas told Pew Research Center in 2026 that it is extremely or very important for children to learn a language other than English, against 28% in rural areas.
Pew Research Center, What do Americans think about language learning in U.S. schools? (Aug 2026)
Source quote
Additionally, U.S. adults who say they live in urban areas are particularly likely to say language learning is important (52%).
- 51.
In Pew Research Center's March 2026 survey, 38% of US adults said it is somewhat important for children to learn a language other than English and 21% said it is not too or not at all important.
Pew Research Center, What do Americans think about language learning in U.S. schools? (Aug 2026)
Source quote
Another 38% say this is somewhat important, and 21% say it’s not too or not at all important.
- 52.
Enrollments in languages other than English at US colleges fell 16.6% between fall 2016 and fall 2021, according to the latest MLA census.
Modern Language Association, Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in US Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2021 (Nov 2023)
Source quote
Total college and university enrollments in languages other than English dropped by 16.6% between fall 2016 and fall 2021, as reported in the Modern Language Association’s analysis of its twenty-sixth language enrollment census.
- 53.
Language enrollments at US two-year colleges fell 24.2% from 2016 to 2021, against 14.7% at four-year institutions.
Modern Language Association, Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in US Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2021 (Nov 2023)
Source quote
Between fall 2016 and fall 2021, enrollments declined by 14.7% at four-year institutions while declining by 24.2% at two-year institutions.
Chart
Provisional GCSE entries in England by language, summer 2026
Provisional entries for GCSE exams in England, summer 2026, published by Ofqual in June 2026.
- Spanish132,680
- French121,040
- Other modern languages41,300
- German32,525
Source: Ofqual, Provisional entries for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2026 exam series
Questions readers ask
- How many people use Duolingo?
- Duolingo reported about 64.9 million daily active users and 153.1 million monthly active users in Q3 2026, according to its SEC filing. About 13.1 million of them paid for a subscription at the end of September 2026.
- Can you learn a language with an app alone?
- You can build real skills. A 2025 study in Language Learning & Technology found Duolingo learners ahead of classroom learners on general proficiency and receptive vocabulary after 16 weeks, though classroom learners did better on listening. Speaking is the weak spot: 73% of US app users in a 2025 Preply survey said app speaking drills prepare them only somewhat or very little.
- How long does it take to become fluent in a language?
- The State Department's Foreign Service Institute lists 24 to 30 weeks of full-time training for languages close to English, such as Spanish and French, and 88 weeks for Japanese, Korean, Arabic or Chinese. Its trainees spend 23 hours a week in class plus 17 hours of self-study.
- Are language app prices going up or down?
- Effective prices are drifting down through bundles. Babbel's group plan costs $30.95 a month for up to six people, and Duolingo is retiring its top Max tier as unlimited AI video calls move into its standard Super plan.
- What are the most popular languages to learn?
- English is the most studied language on Duolingo in 154 countries; behind it, Japanese rose to fourth and Korean to sixth in 2025. In the US, 53% of adults told Pew Research Center in 2026 that schools should offer Spanish, and in England Spanish GCSE entries (132,680) were ahead of French (121,040) in summer 2026, according to Ofqual.
How these figures were chosen
We chose figures that help someone decide whether to pay for a language app, tutor or course: usage, prices, measured results, learner complaints and demand by language. App usage and finance figures come from Duolingo's SEC filings and Babbel's press releases; Babbel's subscription count is cumulative and not comparable to Duolingo's active users. Efficacy studies come from peer-reviewed journals; some involve Duolingo staff, use small samples and test few speaking skills. The Preply and Babbel surveys were run by companies that sell tutoring or courses. Pew Research Center, Eurostat, the European Commission, Ofqual, the MLA and the British Council use different years, definitions and self-reported measures, so compare them as context rather than as one series. Older figures are kept only where they are the latest edition of that measure, and their year is stated. Every figure was checked against the source page on 2026-11-04. Every quote was copied from the publisher's page and re-checked by our source checker. Read the methodology.
Sources
- Babbel. Gen Z chooses real fluency over AI shortcuts, new Babbel research reveals (Apr 2026).
- Babbel. Babbel Launches Group Plan; Brings Shared, Affordable Language Learning to Friends, Couples, Roommates and Families (Apr 2026).
- British Council. Language Trends England 2026 (Jul 2026).
- Duolingo, Inc.. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2026 (Nov 2026).
- Duolingo, Inc.. Q3 2026 Shareholder Letter (Nov 2026).
- Duolingo, Inc.. 2025 Duolingo Language Report (Dec 2025).
- EF Education First. EF English Proficiency Index 2025: A Ranking of 123 Countries and Regions by English Skills (Nov 2025).
- European Commission. Special Eurobarometer 540: Europeans and their languages (May 2024).
- Eurostat. Foreign language learning statistics (2026).
- Eurostat. Foreign language skills statistics (Oct 2024).
- Foreign Language Annals (Jiang et al.). Evaluating the reading and listening outcomes of beginning-level Duolingo courses (Dec 2021).
- Google. New ways to translate and learn languages with AI in the Translate app (Aug 2025).
- Language Learning & Technology. The effectiveness of app-based and classroom-based instruction on L2 learning and motivation (Oct 2025).
- Language Learning & Technology. The effectiveness of Duolingo in developing receptive and productive language knowledge and proficiency (Sep 2024).
- Language Learning & Technology. Effects of mobile-assisted language learning on foreign language learners’ speaking skill development (Mar 2024).
- Modern Language Association. Enrollments in Languages Other Than English in US Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2021 (Nov 2023).
- Ofqual. Provisional entries for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2026 exam series (Jun 2026).
- Pew Research Center. What do Americans think about language learning in U.S. schools? (Aug 2026).
- Preply. Study: 71% of self-learning language app users would feel more confident with a tutor (Oct 2025).
- Preply. Moving abroad trends: Preply's language and global career mobility report 2026 (Jun 2026).
- U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute. Foreign Language Training (2026).
How to cite
Link to this page or to a single figure. Name the original publisher where you can.
KeenVerdict. (2026, November 4). Language Learning Statistics 2026. https://keenverdict.com/language-learning-statistics
Questions or corrections: editorial@keenverdict.com. Next scheduled review: January 3, 2027.