Scroll down for an Ode to Duolingo Classes.

Duolingo announced to the class hosts that the classes will cease to exist from 18th January 2022. We were under the impression that Classes were growing and successful. Many students and hosts alike are devastated that the classes will be no more. No other platform exists where native speakers can host group lessons for such a low (or free) price. Please don't take it away! 

If successful, we hope that Duolingo will decide to keep the platform, allowing users to practice with real life hosts for a free or low price. If we don't succeed, thousands of students will lose contact with their classmates and teachers. Some students will no longer be able to practice the language with a native speaker as it will be too expensive elsewhere.

An Ode to Duolingo Classes (in the hope that you will be persuaded to carry on with this journey) by Irish Clare EFL, a host at Duolingo Classes.

I stumbled upon you,

As my phone battery died.

I opted for my laptop

A little icon, I spied.

It said "Duolingo Classes"

My curious mind said, "What's that?!"

I clicked, I read, I applied,

And became a host at the drop of a hat.

As I sat with my background blurred,

My blue headphones at the ready,

I was nervous but excited.

I held my computer steady.

Mingzhen, Rita, Abdullahi,

From all over the world they came.

We chatted, we listened, we read.

Their fears of speaking English they overcame.

Did I make much money?

Eleven dollars to tell the truth.

But the real question is, "Are we richer?".

The smiles on their faces, that was the proof.

The water's never missed til it's gone,

But the plug is still in the bath,

Yet Duolingo says it'll be pulled

Unless they choose to stay on the good path!

So hear me out, hear me please,

This selfless platform was doing the world good,

In this winter of wars and crises, 

Think, if it's bringing people happiness, keep it going - we (the hosts) would!