Duolingo launches a test to certify foreign language fluency on a smartphone

Gigaom

Android users will now be able to take a certified foreign language proficiency test through a smartphone app. On Wednesday, language learning and crowdsourced translation app Duolingo announced Test Center, a feature that lets students take standardized tests virtually proctored through the device’s camera. If it takes off, it could be the first step in removing some of the headaches associated with standardized testing.

Back in April, the Wall Street Journal reported that Duolingo wanted to administer and proctor foreign language exams, and today’s announcement largely confirms those details. The test will eventually cost $20 — although it’s currently free — and will take 20 minutes to complete because it’s a computer-adaptive test, as opposed to hours for tests like the Educational Testing Service’s Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is currently the most widely accepted standard.

A TOEFL test costs around $250, depending on exchange rates. Plus, test takers often…

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