I gathered my belongings and left Guinea for Nigeria in pursuit of a new beginning. Nigeria’s atmosphere, people, and culture was something extraordinary. Although, I felt like a fish out of water because of my inability to speak in English.

Being a foreigner is one thing; not understanding the people around you is another thing. I knew I had to adapt to my new environment, but how?

My Experience In Nigeria And My Struggle With English

I moved to Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria, because the city has terrific weather which is cold. Some of my extended family lived there, I was told about an English learning center organized by French speakers to help foreigners who could not speak English, my aunt took me there so that I could register.

The classroom was filled with adults from other countries like Niger, Benin, and Chad. We all had one thing in common: we were struggling with English.

We were all attempting to learn this complex language, just like a jigsaw puzzle with mismatched pieces. Every day was a struggle with grammar classes, vocabulary, debates, and endless assignments.

Duolingo Saved The Day

One day, a cousin of mine came to see me. She was drawn to the pile of workbooks on my room table, she was dumbstruck and said,

“Haven’t you heard of Duolingo before?”

I replied no!

And she said, “Why don’t you try Duolingo?”

“What’s that?” I asked.

She continued by explaining “It is a mobile application, it makes learning very simple, and you will enjoy the app,” bringing out her phone to show me. Below, a bright green happy looking owl icon appeared.

She sent the app to my Android phone using the Xender app.

My Experience With Duolingo

I installed the app. I was a bit nervous yet hopeful. I picked English as the language to study and began with the basics. I will never forget the first word that appeared: “apple.”

The app pronounced the word, and I repeated the word and selected it. The answer was correct, and the owl clapped its wings as one clapping his hands. I earned coins for getting the right answer.

That was how I continued using the app. There was no class, no textbooks, just myself, my Android phone, and this animated owl. Hehe, I felt inspired and even more optimistic.

My Dedication

My devotion to the app developed as days turned into weeks. I rehearsed when eating breakfast, sometimes even in the restroom, and while waiting for a friend whenever I stepped out. I could not get enough of it.

Duolingo included levels similar to a game. When you successfully finish one level, another is unlocked. The complexity grew, but so did my command of the English language.

Duolingo was particularly good at repetition. It repeated phrases and words till they firmly established themselves in my mind. It also exposed me to phrases, which helped me understand how words fit correctly.

My Improvement

I learned to develop my sentences rather than simply repeating terms from a textbook. “I am eating an apple,” I remarked, beaming as the owl encouraged me.

I started to observe the effect outside of the app. I could better comprehend my teachers and even began to participate very well in class. My initial uneasiness was replaced by confidence.

My classmates noticed the difference. “You’re getting better quickly,” they’d comment, frequently asking what my secret was. “An owl is teaching me,” I’d add, a smile on my face.

Months passed, and the unexpected occurred: I began speaking and thinking in English. That was a weird experience, an impact the language had to my mind.

I felt less strange and more at home in the new environment.

My Achievement

Eventually, I received my diploma from the English center. It was a proud day, but the credit went equally to Duolingo and my regular education. That little green owl had become a teacher, a motivator, and a friend.

I can now converse, compose emails, and watch movies in English. I’ve even begun studying another language on Duolingo. Who knows what else is possible if a green owl can teach me English?

Final Thought

Nigerian life is no longer a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. I discovered the missing element in the shape of a language. English introduced me to people, and Duolingo introduced me to English. The path was difficult, but each setback made the victory sweeter.

I started as a lady lost in translation but became someone who found her voice, thanks to Duolingo!