Duolingo Is Building a Music Learning App

Language-learning app Duolingo is branching out into music.

The platform is searching for a “learning scientist for music” to join its app development team.

According to a job posting(Opens in a new window), first spotted by TechCrunch(Opens in a new window), Duolingo is looking for “an expert in music education who combines both theoretical knowledge of relevant learning science research and hands-on teaching experience” to “lay the foundation for the new music product.”

Exactly what that product will entail remains unclear, though it appears the “engaging” educational app will be geared toward children and adults. Duolingo’s advertisement offers few clues aside from vague mentions of “curating songs to teach concepts” and “connecting popular music to underlying music theory.”

“Our strengths lie in building educational apps that are grounded in learning science and keep learners motivated,” the job description says. “We hope you are motivated by this type of environment and excited to help us deliver the very best in music education.”

The company, as TechCrunch notes, is also soliciting a temporary freelance music composition and curricular consultant to compose one- to two-minute songs, but is no longer accepting applications(Opens in a new window) for the position.

The Pittsburgh-based company launched in 2011 with a gamified approach to language learning; it now offers courses in more than 40 real and fictional tongues, including French, German, High Valyrian, Klingon, and Spanish.

Duolingo’s online English proficiency test, which spun out of a 2014 hackathon project(Opens in a new window), is now recognized by many universities, colleges, and other organizations; a children’s literacy app (Duolingo ABC) was released in 2020, followed last year by Duolingo Math, currently available only on iOS devices.

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