u/Huge_Objective1527

Some people use Duolingo to pass the time. My family uses it to change our lives. Hi, I'm Joshua from Brazil. This isn't just about keeping a streak alive; it's a look back at 9 years of learning and how my parents and I grew together, one lesson at a time.

Everything started in November 2017. My dad had been studying Spanish since March of that year, and watching his dedication made me want to start too. I followed his steps, but I chose American English because I knew I needed it for global opportunities and my future. It went from a simple hobby to a real life goal. I basically evolved alongside the app. After using a few different accounts over the years as the platform changed, I created my main account in July 2020: JosuehBSilva12.

I remember when Stories were introduced, when the layout changed to the Learning Path, and the transitions from Duolingo Plus to Super and Max. Today, I’m at a 658-day streak. 🔥 Duolingo ended up opening doors to a lot of other things for me. I didn't stop at languages; I also tried Music, Chess, Math, and explored a bit of French, Japanese, and Esperanto. Right now, I'm focusing on building my A2 English foundation and getting ready for the world, while keeping the other subjects saved for later.

One of my favorite moments on the app happened on December 8th, 2024, when I managed to get 1st place in the Diamond Tournament. It took a lot of grinding, but it proved to me that consistency works. I haven't missed a single day since.

The best part is how this affected my family. The inspiration my dad gave me, I passed down to my mom. I encouraged her to learn English, and she started in 2024. Even when she lost her streak once because she missed a day without a Streak Freeze, she didn't give up. She restarted and is now on a 385-day streak! We even connected with a native French speaker through the app who became a real friend.

Duolingo didn't just teach us grammar or chess rules. It connected my family through learning, from my first steps as a kid to my goals today as a student. Thank you, Duolingo Team, for giving us new ways to experience the world. 💚