According to CEO Luis von Ahn, Duolingo is best known for its language-learning app and whimsical owl. During an interview last week with Luis von Ahn, Duolingo was officially listed on the stock exchange.TechCrunch reached Duolingo after the interview to obtain more information about their app. However, the company declined to give more details as it is still in its early stages of development. Duolingo's annual free conference, Duocon, did mention that the app could be revealed to users later in the month. Duolingo is looking for a math scientist who has a PhD to help them build a new app.This listing suggests that the app will focus on younger learners. Duolingo requires candidates to have classroom experience, knowledge and skills in teaching K-12 math to students aged 3-8.Current users of Duolingo are mixed on the idea that Duolingo might get into math.Luis von Ahn, CEO of Duolingo, stated that users might see Duolingo's math app accelerate and that the company will expand beyond language learning with upcoming acquisitions. This may help to calm fears about Duolingo having to invest a lot of money in a new piece of software, or curriculum.Duolingo might consider buying the company if there are other subjects in which we feel somebody is doing a good job, has a similar mission, and has a similar culture to us, von Ahn stated in the interview.Khan Academy, Brilliant.org and Photomath are all math-focused edtech firms.The Duolingo math app is yet another chapter in the company's history of experimentation. In its ten years of existence, the company has tried hundreds of different ideas. Each one was a success.It has built a product portfolio that extends beyond its core app. This includes Duolingo ABC (a literacy app for children) and the Duolingo English Test. Duolingo's failed ideas include a few old monetization strategies, and AI-powered chatbots. Leaderboards, a popular feature, failed before it succeeded. Math, however, is interestingly always been at the back of von Ahns' head.Wie in the Duolingo EC-1, von Ahn stated that he and Severin Hacker were considering making Duolingo a math application before they decided to focus on language learning.In a previous interview, von Ahn stated that although I love math, it is not enough to make money. Math is necessary to understand physics and become an engineer. However, English can directly increase your income potential in many countries around the world.One user said that math is a crucial skill to learn.Others wanted Duolingo's language-learning service to be a focus first, before it moved on to other areas. One user commented that Duolingo should look into Maths, considering its lack of coverage in the majority of languages (with the notable exceptions of French and Spanish).According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, (CEFR), the company cannot teach language fluency from beginner to intermediate levels. According to the company's May metrics pull, around 30%-40% of Duolingo courses have reached CEFR alignment.It is too early to predict how Duolingos math application will look, what it would offer and if it will ever be monetized. It will be Duolingo's first foray into education other than language.The company must find the philosophical overlap between these two subjects. Language learning benefits from cultural context and nuance. Math revolves around finding the right answer. Both areas of education require methodical thinking as well as the ability to use functions to find answers. Both rely on Duolingo's biggest product, which is the motivation to use an app and to pay attention to what's happening on the screen.
