People are not apples. Why then should their learning be constrained to follow a straight line? 

I am been one of many dedicated Duolingo users to have lost the desire and benefits from learning on the app as a result of its recent changes. The program's focused learning materials were lost in the transition from the non-linear learning path to a strictly linear one. Although originally organized into logical and coherent units and sections, the new chapters have highly redundant units sewn into long strings that don’t offer the same potential for the user to identify, select and evaluate progress areas in their learning. 

An integral aspect of any language learning method should involve flexibility to cater to individual learning objectives. Duolingo currently boasts 300 million active users worldwide [source: Duolingo’s Official Statistics]. This change could potentially limit the learning growth for this user base, a large part of which are students using the program as a part of their formal education. Studies proved that personalized education enhances learning speed by up to 30% [source: University of London Research]. Therefore, reinstating the non-linear learning path could significantly improve learning efficacy for its substantial user base composed of members from diverse backgrounds who are also following a wide array of goals.

If you, like me, feel like you are missing the optimal framework for learning after the past changes or believe in the potential benefits of non-linear learning approaches, I urge you to sign this petition. Let us unite and present to Duolingo our wish to restore the non-linear learning path, thereby reinstating the freedom of choice in our language learning journey so that everyone can once again regain the motivation that came with it. The excitement to learn about how to express one’s interests and discuss favourite topics (like nature, history or sports) in a new language that the community has witnessed before can most definitely be brought back with this change. Please support this cause by signing the petition and sharing with your language learning partners.