THE IMPACT OF DUOLINGO ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG EFL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Aug 29, 2026

This research investigated how the language-learning application Duolingo influences the development of English proficiency, with emphasis on reading and writing skills, among middle school EFL students in Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental design compared an experimental group using Duolingo (version 6.18.3) with a control group without it. Students completed pre-tests and post-tests, and Duolingo’s effects were assessed through a dedicated measurement tool. Results showed statistically significant gains in post-test reading and writing scores, with very high effect size for reading (71%) and high effect size for writing (36%).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Importance of English reading and writing

Educational technology and mobile learning

Duolingo development and teaching approach

| DOI: 10.46827/ejel.v11i2.6615 | Volume 11 │ Issue 2│ 2026 | | --- | --- | THE IMPACT OF DUOLINGO ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AMONG EFL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA Bader W. Alsulami, Haitham A. Althubaitii Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Abstract: This research investigated the influence of a language learning application, Duolingo, on the development of English language proficiency, particularly in reading and writing skills, among middle school students in Saudi Arabia. The study adopted a quasiexperimental design consisting of two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The sample consisted of 32 students who were purposively chosen from the research population. Both groups were required to take a pre-test prior to the experiment and a post-test after it. The experimental group used the Duolingo app (version 6.18.3) to help them learn. The assessment tool was created to measure how Duolingo affects students' reading and writing skills. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the post-test scores for reading and writing skills, with a significance value of (0.05) for both skills. The effect size was very high for reading skills (71%) and quite high for writing skills (36%) . Based on these results, it is suggested that the Duolingo app be used more in the classroom, that teachers be trained on how to use it effectively in the classroom, and that students be encouraged to use it as an outside assessment tool. Keywords: Duolingo application, EFL learners, reading skill, writing skill, interactive education 1. Introduction In today's globalized world, being able to speak and write English well is more important than ever. It is the basis for success in all fields of study and for advancing one’s career and communicating with people from other cultures. English learners must develop essential English skills that require improvement across students at different educational stages (Niah & Pahmi, 2019) . i Correspondence: [email](email haalthubaiti@uj.edu.sa)[ ](email haalthubaiti@uj.edu.sa)[haalthubaiti@uj.edu.sa](email haalthubaiti@uj.edu.sa) Students need to be able to read in order to improve their understanding and critical thinking skills. It helps students learn, improve their language skills, and get better at dealing with problems they face in a variety of situations (Najat, 2021). Reading prepares people to interact with others and their culture, and it is a very important part of how they form their ideas and attitudes (Soman, 2010). On the other hand, being able to write well is an important way for students to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and parts of their identity. It also helps them develop the skills they need for school and other academic activities, which enables them to excel in many areas (Al-Busais, 2011) . Thus, it is important to investigate the effective methods and tools that could develop these language skills. Recent advancements in educational technology have provided innovative tools and resources that assist students both within and beyond the classroom, catering to various learning styles and aiding English language learners in effectively acquiring these skills (Bui, 2022) . For example, mobile applications have been acknowledged for their capacity to improve language acquisition experiences (Ahmed et al., 2022) . Using mobile phone apps as educational resources is considered a better alternative to traditional methods because they enable students to learn on their own, which means they can do it anywhere and anytime, not just in the classroom. Kukulska-Hulme and Shield (2008) showed that technology, especially mobile apps, makes learning a language easier by giving students access to real-world materials. This boosts their motivation and reduces stress related to studying, keeps their attention, and lets them express their opinions without f

FAQs

What was the main aim of the study?

The study examined Duolingo’s influence on English language proficiency development, especially reading and writing skills, among EFL students in Saudi Arabia.

How was the research conducted?

It used a quasi-experimental design with an experimental group and a control group. Both groups completed pre-tests and post-tests, and the experimental group learned with the Duolingo app.

What did the results show about reading and writing skills?

Post-test scores for reading and writing showed statistically significant differences. The effect size was very high for reading (71%) and quite high for writing (36%).

Aug 29, 2026

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