Change your learning language from the app settings
Open Duolingo and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, select "Settings" and look for "Learning Language" — this is where you pick which language you want to study. Tap it, choose a new language from the list, and confirm your choice. Duolingo will restart your progress in that language, so you'll start fresh with lessons and streaks.
If you want to study multiple languages at once without losing progress in either one, don't change your learning language. Instead, add a second language by going back to the home screen, tapping the flag icon at the top, and selecting "Add a new course." This keeps both languages active in your account, and you can switch between them whenever you open the app.
Key Takeaways
- Your learning language setting controls which language appears as the main course on your home screen and resets your progress when you change it.
- Adding a second language through the flag icon keeps both languages active without erasing your progress in either one.
- The learning language setting is in your profile menu under Settings, and the change takes effect immediately.
- Changing your learning language will reset your streak and lesson progress, but your account and any other languages you've added stay intact.
Add a second language without losing your first one
The flag icon at the top of your home screen is the fastest way to add another language. Tap it and you'll see your current learning language plus an option to add a new course. Select the language you want to add, and it appears as a second tile on your home screen. You can tap either tile to switch between languages, and both keep their own separate progress, streaks, and lesson history.
This approach works well if you're learning two languages at the same time or want to keep your progress in your main language while exploring a second one. Each language has its own streak counter and lesson position, so you won't lose ground in either one.
Switch between multiple languages you're already learning
Once you've added a second or third language, the home screen shows a tile for each one. Tap whichever language you want to work on, and that becomes your active course for the session. Your progress in the other languages stays exactly where you left it — switching between them doesn't erase anything or reset your streaks.
If you have many languages added, you can scroll left and right through the tiles to find the one you want. The app remembers which language you used last and shows it first when you open Duolingo next time.
Remove a language you no longer want to study
To delete a language course, open the app and tap the flag icon at the top. Find the language you want to remove, swipe left on its tile (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android), and select the delete or remove option. This erases all progress in that language, so only do this if you're certain you won't need it again.
If you want to keep a language but just pause studying it for a while, you don't have to remove it. Simply stop tapping its tile and focus on another language instead. Your progress stays saved, and you can pick it back up whenever you're ready.
Change the language the app itself is displayed in
The language Duolingo's menus and buttons appear in is separate from your learning language. To change this, go to Settings and scroll down to find "App Language" or "Display Language" (the exact name varies by device). Tap it and choose from the available languages. This changes only the interface — your learning language stays the same unless you change it separately in the Learning Language setting.
For example, you could be learning Spanish while the app menus appear in French, or vice versa. This is useful if you want to study a language that Duolingo doesn't offer yet but still use the app in a language you're comfortable with.
Troubleshoot if your language won't change
If you've tapped the language setting but nothing changed, close Duolingo completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to apply the change. If the problem persists, check that you have the latest version of Duolingo installed — outdated versions sometimes have bugs with language switching.
On iPhone, go to the App Store and search for Duolingo; if an "Update" button appears, tap it. On Android, open Google Play, search for Duolingo, and tap "Update" if available. After updating, try changing your language again. If it still doesn't work, try removing the language and adding it back, or contact Duolingo's support team through the app's Settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my streak when I change my learning language?
Your streak resets to zero when you change your learning language, because Duolingo treats it as starting a new course. If you want to keep your streak in your original language, add a second language instead of changing your learning language. Each language has its own separate streak.
Can I study two languages at the same time?
Yes. Use the flag icon to add a second language rather than changing your learning language. Both languages appear as separate tiles on your home screen, each with its own progress and streak. You can switch between them whenever you want.
Will I lose my progress if I change languages?
You'll lose progress in the language you're switching away from, because changing your learning language resets that course. Your account and any other languages you've added stay intact. If you want to keep progress in multiple languages, add them instead of switching.
Can I change the language the app menus are in without changing what I'm learning?
Yes. Go to Settings and look for "App Language" or "Display Language." This changes only the interface language, not your learning language. You can study Spanish while the menus appear in English, French, or any other supported language.
Why isn't my language change saving?
Close and reopen the app to let the change take effect. If that doesn't work, check that you have the latest version installed by going to your app store and updating Duolingo. Outdated versions sometimes have bugs with language settings.