The impact of Duolingo in developing students’ linguistic competence: an aspect of communicative language competences

Abstract This paper reports the impact of a type m-learning on developing students’ linguistic and communicative competence in English as second language. study is Mexican-based case using Duolingo to improve virtual courses higher education students whose first language Spanish. quasi-experimental research that analyzed pre-test post-test results sample 40 participants (control group 20 experimental participants). The measuring instruments were designed for this specific focused testing six components according CEFR at level A2 (2018). A pilottest was previously conducted, (0.81) (0.98) coefficients considered acceptable Cronbach’s Alpha. addressed following questions: a) How does contribute development support learning via methodology? b) Which improved student´s after Duolingo? Results revealed profound improvement participants. result superior ( M=43.75) compared with control (M=30.35), mainly phonological (+5.20) orthographic (+2.65) group, score slightly increased primarily attributed classes.