The World Languages and Culture Department at GCSU has launched its Spring 2026 Duolingo Challenge, inviting students, faculty and staff to compete by earning language-learning experience points, known as XP, through the Duolingo app.

Top point earners in each division are rewarded with prizes. Gina Towner, coordinator of the Duolingo Challenge and language resource coordinator, shared details about the incentives participants can win.

“I am very grateful to the folks at our campus Barnes & Noble bookstore for donating wonderful prizes each semester, so our winners can enjoy some GCSU swag in exchange for their hard work,” Towner said.

Casey Sarrazin, a senior theater major, was the winner of the Fall 2025 challenge. She came in first place with an impressive 11,860 XP learning French. The recognition and rewards helped keep her motivated.

“The most rewarding part of the Duolingo challenge was the extra perks you got from participation, which made it far easier to get through,” Sarrazin said. 

Many students are motivated by their personal goals and friendly competition, especially when progress is tracked daily and shared with peers.

“The streak on Duolingo with some of my friends is a partial motivator, as well as the experience multiplier potions for completing the gold chest challenge each day,” said Emma Harding, a freshman fine arts major. 

Sarrazin also offered advice for other students participating this semester. She emphasized the importance of consistency and setting achievable goals throughout the challenge.

 “My advice for other students willing to give it a try is to never take too much time off, go the extra mile when you can and collect those monthly badges,” Sarrazin said.

The competition is not limited to students. Faculty and staff members take part in a separate challenge, competing for overall hours of engagement and XP earned. Towner described the growing participation among staff across campus.

“The faculty and staff challenge has become incredibly competitive in recent semesters,” Towner said. “Friends from various departments across campus take part in a friendly but lively rivalry as they try to outdo one another in the final days of the challenge.”

Learning a new language can be both personally and academically fulfilling, giving participants skills they can use in travel, coursework and future careers. It also encourages daily discipline and cultural awareness.

Towner uses Duolingo outside of the campus challenge to prepare for real-world interactions while traveling.

“I have used Duolingo before trips abroad to help give me enough language to interact with shopkeepers, restaurant servers and public transportation employees in a polite and culturally appropriate way that makes me feel more respectful as a visitor in someone else’s homeland,” Towner said.

Her experience reflects how the app can support both short-term travel needs and long-term language learning goals for participants.

“I’m currently studying Korean,” Harding said. “When I studied abroad at Kookmin University for a month in 2023, I was able to speak full sentences and could kind of talk to strangers at restaurants by the time the accelerated course ended.”

Like many students, Harding said she fell out of practice after returning from studying abroad. During the Fall 2025 challenge, she used Duolingo to pick the language back up and rebuild her confidence. 

“The best part was knowing I established a productive and intellectually stimulating habit,” Harding said.

The Spring 2026 challenge is open to all levels of learners and participants can choose from a variety of languages. 

“There are still a few spaces left for this spring, so I encourage people to sign up. I will take people until each roster hits its capacity,” Towner said.

For questions about enrolling in the challenge, participants can email [email protected]. The challenge runs through May 6 and top finishers in each division will be recognized during finals week.