You’ve probably just discovered that there is no Slovenian on Duolingo. This can feel really frustrating for people trying to learn the language for various reasons.
Luckily, you don’t need to wait for Duolingo to add Slovenian. The Ling app already offers a full Slovenian course aimed at beginners and intermediate learners. With short interactive lessons and native speaker audio, Ling helps you start speaking and understanding Slovenian in real-life situations.
Keep reading to learn more about what it’s like to learn Slovenian and why Ling is currently the best alternative out there!
Why Is There No Slovenian On Duolingo?
One of the main reasons there’s no Slovenian on Duolingo is that it has a smaller global speaking base, so it may not have as many learners as Spanish or French, for example. Moreover, building a course takes time, expertise, and volunteers, and Duolingo’s volunteer Incubator program is now closed, leaving fewer options for new courses.
But keep in mind that these are just speculations, and Duolingo has not publicly explained why they don’t offer Slovenian courses. Several petitions and requests from native speakers and learners have gone unanswered.
Is Slovenian Hard To Learn?
Yes, Slovenian is considered hard for English speakers. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Slovenian falls into Category IV, which includes languages with significant linguistic and cultural differences from English. They estimate it takes about 44 weeks, or roughly 1,100 hours, to reach general proficiency in speaking and reading.
That said, if you’re already a speaker of another Slavic language, or generally don’t have issues with picking up linguistic nuances, it can be a lot easier. In any case, it’s not impossible to learn and only requires consistent practice and exposure.
How Complex Is Slovenian?
An important thing to note when it comes to the complexity level is that Slovenian uses a case system for nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. This means that there are six cases, which change the endings depending on the role of the word in a sentence.
For example, the word ženska (woman) in the accusative case is žensko.
Unique Features
Slovenian uses a dual form, which is very rare in world languages. Instead of singular or plural, you use it when talking about exactly two things or people. Slovenian also has three grammatical genders for every noun. Adjectives must match the gender of the noun.
Beginner-Friendly Aspects
The good news is that words in Slovenian are pronounced exactly as they are written, which makes reading predictable once you know the sounds. Slovenian sentence structure is simple and allows you to start speaking quickly. You can start having everyday conversations without mastering all the grammar at once.
What Common Mistakes Do Beginners Make When Learning Slovenian?
Here are the most common mistakes beginners make when learning Slovenian:
- Using the wrong word endings for nouns, adjectives, and pronouns because of the case system.
- Mixing up formal and informal language, which can make you sound rude or overly distant.
- Forgetting to use the dual form when talking about two things or people.
- Pronunciation, especially letters like Č, Š, Ž, and rolling the R.
- Confusing noun genders, which leads to mismatched adjectives.
Duolingo Vs Ling: Which One Supports Slovenian?
Both Duolingo and Ling make language learning fun and accessible. The key difference is that Ling offers a much wider range of languages, including many that Duolingo doesn’t, like Slovenian.
| Feature | Ling | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| Course availability | 70+ languages, including rare Asian and Eastern European languages like Slovenian. | 40+ languages, mostly widely spoken. Slovenian is not available. |
| Lesson format | 200+ interactive lessons with games, exercises, flashcards, tracing, and more. | Quick, bite-sized lessons with points and levels. |
| Audio | Native speaker audio for authentic pronunciation. | AI-guided audio and text-to-speech for most lessons. |
| Conversation practice | Real conversation practice to be travel-ready. | Focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Limited real-life conversation. |
| Gamification | Games, instant rewards, streaks, achievements. | Game-like features, challenges, and daily reminders. |
| Unique focus | Languages others overlook, cultural tips for some languages. | Research-backed methods, mostly for mainstream languages. |
Bottom line: if your goal is learning Slovenian, Ling supports it fully, while Duolingo does not.
The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning Slovenian
Since there’s no Slovenian on Duolingo, Ling is the best choice for learners who want a practical, interactive, and fun way to study the language.
Key Features For Learning Slovenian
- Gamified lessons that make learning easy to stick with.
- Native speaker audio for correct pronunciation.
- A dialog feature for practicing real-time conversations.
- Review tools to reinforce what you’ve learned to improve recall.
- Voice recognition to help you correct your speaking mistakes.
Limitations To Note
While Ling includes grammar and culture notes for many languages, these features are not yet available for Slovenian.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
Ling is the best app for anyone who wants to use the language in real life. It was designed for people who want to:
- Communicate with their partner and their family.
- Use the language at work or in professional settings.
- Travel confidently and interact with locals.
- Reconnect with their roots and speak with relatives.
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
These reviews come from people who used the Ling app for travel, work, and everyday conversations, and noticed the difference quickly:
”I’ve been looking for an app to sub out for duolingo. Instantly, I knew that I made a good choice. the conversational parts are wonderful. To see and hear how people talk, rather than learning random words with little context.”
-Aisling Pedrotti
”Ling has been a game-changer for me! I started learning Italian for a vacation to Rome and ended up speaking fluently with locals at cafes. Then, I tackled German for a work trip to Berlin, and it was a breeze! The app is super intuitive, and the lessons feel like you’re just having a fun conversation. I also picked up some Korean before visiting Seoul, and it made the experience so much better. Can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to learn a language quickly and effectively!”
-Khant Zaw Hein
What You’ll Achieve In Your First Week Using Ling
Ling offers a 7-day free trial. In such a short time, you can already start learning basic everyday words and phrases along with how they are pronounced. Here is a table of what you can expect from learning every day for a week:
| Day | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Basic words, like ženska (woman) and moški (man) |
| Day 2 | Common verbs like učiti (to learn) and jesti (to eat) |
| Day 3 | Numbers and basic everyday sentences like berem knjigo (I am reading a book) |
| Day 4 | Common adjectives like starejša sestra (older sister) |
| Day 5 | Phrases for ordering at a café like rad bi pil jabolčni sok (I would like to drink apple juice) |
| Day 6 | Listening and speaking practice with short dialogs |
| Day 7 | Reviewing what you learned and holding a basic conversation |
After mastering the basics, you can continue on to more challenging aspects and learn harder sentences. All of the courses in Ling are designed to help you speak right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slovenian Not Being On Duolingo
Does Duolingo Offer Slovenian?
No, Duolingo does not offer a Slovenian course. The language is currently not available on the platform, and Duolingo has not announced plans to add it.
What App Is Better Than Duolingo?
Ling is a better option than Duolingo for rare languages because it focuses on real-life conversation with native speaker audio.
Is There An App To Learn Slovenian?
Yes, there is an app to learn Slovenian. The Ling app offers structured lessons, pronunciation practice, and interactive exercises designed for beginners and early learners.
Start Learning Slovenian With Ling
Even though Duolingo doesn’t support Slovenian, there is no reason to wait or compromise. Ling gives you full access to Slovenian with practical lessons, native-speaker audio, real conversation practice, and tools that help you remember what you learn.
You already know the language is not the easiest one, but with the right app, it becomes manageable and even enjoyable!
Try the Ling app with a 7-day free trial and see how much you can learn in just a week. Ling is trusted by more than 5 million learners worldwide and is highly rated on both the App Store and Google Play.
Download the Ling app now and start learning Slovenian with confidence today.
