Duolingo adds free advanced language courses for nine languages

On Wednesday, Duolingo announced the launch of free advanced language learning content across nine languages. The new material targets the B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which serves as the international standard for language proficiency recognized by schools and employers. The update covers English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. By offering B2-level content—which focuses on materials without translations, complex scenarios, and specialized vocabulary—the company is targeting users who want to reach professional proficiency without paying for a subscription.

This strategy directly challenges established language-learning platforms that monetize higher-level instruction. While Duolingo previously capped its free courses at basic communication levels, it now positions itself as the only free app providing advanced-level learning across these nine languages. This contrasts with the paid models of its primary competitors:

• Babbel: Offers advanced courses but requires a paid subscription for access.
• Busuu: Provides some CEFR-aligned courses up to the B2 level, but limits its free version by withholding features like grammar explanations, requiring users to pay for full access.

By making advanced content free, Duolingo is pitching its platform to job seekers in a highly competitive global employment market. The company is leveraging research from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, which indicates that learning a second language can raise an individual’s employability by as much as 50%.

“Reaching job-ready proficiency in a new language used to be out of reach for most people. It took years of expensive classes or immersive experiences that not everyone could access,” said Bozena Pajak, head of learning science at Duolingo.

The expansion also aims to grow Duolingo’s free user base. The company reported having 52.7 million daily active users, representing a 30% growth compared to the previous year. In comparison, its paid subscriber base stands at 12.2 million. This push for user acquisition comes as the company navigates shifting financial expectations; Duolingo recently projected that its year-over-year bookings growth rate for Q2 2026 is expected to experience a slight decline.

Why it matters

Duolingo is expanding its free offering to include advanced B2-level content, aiming to increase its free user base and position itself as a practical tool for employability in a competitive global job market.