Change your learning language from the settings menu
Open Duolingo and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner (on mobile) or the menu icon in the top left (on desktop). Select Settings, then look for Learning Language or Language. Tap or click it, and you'll see a list of languages Duolingo offers. Choose the one you want to learn, and the app will switch when ready.
Your progress in the old language stays saved. If you switch back later, you'll return to exactly where you left off. Duolingo doesn't delete your streaks or lessons — it just pauses them while you learn something else.
If you're on a computer, the same process works: click your profile picture, go to Settings, find Learning Language, and pick a new one from the dropdown menu.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings and find Learning Language to switch what you're studying without losing your progress.
- Your old language course stays saved with all your lessons and streaks intact if you want to return to it later.
- You can switch languages as many times as you want — there's no limit to how many courses you can pause and resume.
- The language you're learning is different from the language the app's menus and buttons display in, which you change separately.
The difference between learning language and interface language
Duolingo has two separate language settings, and they're straightforward to confuse. Learning Language is what you're studying — Spanish, French, Japanese, and so on. Interface Language is the language the app's buttons, menus, and instructions appear in.
Most people want to change their Learning Language. But if you want the app itself to display in a different language — say, you want to learn English but have all the menus in Spanish — you change Interface Language instead. On mobile, this is usually in Settings under App Language or Display Language. On desktop, it's often in the same Settings menu, sometimes labeled Language (separate from Learning Language).
What happens to your old course when you switch
Switching languages doesn't erase anything. Your old course stays in your account with all your lessons, your current level, and your streak counter frozen exactly as they were. You can see it by going back to Settings and choosing it again.
If you were in the middle of a lesson when you switched, that lesson stays incomplete in the old course. When you return, you'll pick up from that same incomplete lesson, not from the beginning of the course.
Starting a second language without leaving your first
You don't have to switch languages to learn a second one. Duolingo lets you add a second language course to the same account. Tap the plus icon next to your current language (on mobile, this is usually at the top of the home screen), or go to Settings and select Add a Language. Choose your new language, and Duolingo will show you both courses on your home screen.
You can work on both at the same time, and your progress in each one tracks separately. This is useful if you want to practice two languages in the same day or keep both streaks going. You can add up to three languages this way on the free version, though Duolingo+ (the paid subscription) allows more.
Restarting a language course from the beginning
If you want to start over in a language you've already learned some of, you can reset your progress. Go to Settings, find the course you want to reset, and look for Reset Course or Start Over. Tap it, and Duolingo will ask you to confirm — this erases all your lessons and streaks in that course, so make sure that's what you want.
Resetting is permanent and can't be undone. If you just want to take a break from a language without losing progress, switch to a different one instead of resetting.
Troubleshooting language switching problems
If the Settings menu doesn't show a Learning Language option, make sure you're looking in the right place. On mobile, swipe to the profile tab first (usually the rightmost icon at the bottom). On desktop, click your profile picture in the top right. If you still don't see it, try closing and reopening the app — sometimes the menu takes a moment to load.
If you're trying to add a second language and the plus icon doesn't appear, you may have hit the limit for your account type. The free version of Duolingo caps languages at three. If you've already added three, you'll need to remove one before adding another, or switch to Duolingo+ to add more.
If your language choice isn't saving after you select it, try logging out and back in. Occasionally a connection glitch prevents the change from syncing. Once you log back in, your selection should stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn two languages at the same time in Duolingo?
Yes. Tap the plus icon next to your current language on the home screen and choose a second language. Both will appear on your home screen, and you can work on either one whenever you want. Your progress in each tracks separately.
Will I lose my streak if I switch languages?
No. Your streak in the old language pauses but stays saved. If you switch back to it, your streak picks up where it left off. Only the language you're currently learning counts toward your active streak.
What's the difference between Learning Language and Interface Language?
Learning Language is what you're studying. Interface Language is what language the app's menus and buttons display in. You can learn Spanish while the app menus are in English, or vice versa. They're changed in different parts of Settings.
Can I reset my progress in a language and start over?
Yes, but it's permanent. Go to Settings, find the course, and select Reset Course. This erases all your lessons and streaks in that language. If you just want a break, switch to a different language instead.
How many languages can I add to one Duolingo account?
The free version allows up to three languages at once. If you want to add more, you'll need to remove one first or upgrade to Duolingo+, which removes the limit.