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SpeakingCamps vs Duolingo for speaking English

Short answerDuolingo is great for a daily habit and vocabulary, especially for beginners, and its speaking practice is with AI. SpeakingCamps is for adults at A2 and up who already understand English and want to speak more: a 20-minute daily speaking camp, a live group club every week, and voice feedback from a real tutor. A common path is Duolingo first, then adding speaking practice.

By Olga Dobrozhan, founder of SpeakingCamps.

Side by side

	Duolingo	SpeakingCamps
Who it's for	All levels, especially beginners	Adults at A2 and up who understand English but go quiet when speaking
Daily format	Short, game-like lessons	A 20-minute camp: listen, three words, shadowing, a quick check, talk it through
Who you speak with	AI	People in live clubs and speaking rooms, plus a tutor who listens to your recordings
Feedback	Automatic	Voice notes and scores from a real tutor, usually within 48 hours
Live sessions	None with people	Saturday Open Club on Zoom, cameras optional
Languages	Many	English only
Price	Free; paid plans roughly $60-170 a year	Free to join; membership $39 USD a month, 30-day money-back guarantee

Duolingo prices checked in October 2026 and vary by country and plan.

When Duolingo is the better pick

You're a true beginner and need the basics first.
You want something free.
You're learning another language too.
You like quick, game-style breaks during the day.

When SpeakingCamps is the better pick

You understand a lot but freeze when it's your turn to talk.
You want to speak with real people, at your level, without pressure.
You have an interview, the CELPIP or IELTS, or a move coming up and want feedback from a person.

What the research says

Duolingo's own 2024 report tested learners who finished A2-level Spanish and French content. Speaking scores were Novice High on the ACTFL scale (about A1), slightly below the course's target, and around 20% of learners had turned off speaking exercises. Its report is public. Separately, a meta-analysis of 33 studies found that feedback on mistakes has a medium, lasting effect (Li, 2010). More research and sources.

Using both

They fit together well: Duolingo for a few minutes of words and grammar, a Daily Camp for speaking out loud, and a club on Saturday to use it with people.

Questions

Can Duolingo teach me to speak English?

It helps with words, grammar and a daily habit, and its AI features let you practice answering. To get comfortable speaking with people, most learners add real conversation.

Is SpeakingCamps good for beginners?

It's made for Pre-Intermediate and up (about A2 and above). If you're starting from zero, an app like Duolingo is a good first step.

Does SpeakingCamps use AI?

Your recordings go to a real tutor and aren't sent to any AI. The Daily Camp can include an AI chat for the talk-through step.

Slow down. Tune in. Speak up.

Free to join; membership $39 USD a month. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee.

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