More than 700 competitors from across Australia and New Zealand have taken part in this year’s Duolingo Language Challenge, celebrating the power of language to connect the international education community.
The 2025 Challenge, which drew participants from 93 institutions, saw competitors collectively log nearly 10,000 hours of study and earn more than 12 million experience points (XP) on the Duolingo app. Together, they studied more than 40 different languages — from Spanish and Japanese to Swedish, Korean, and Swahili — showcasing the region’s vibrant linguistic diversity.
The Duolingo Language Challenge Celebration, held during the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), recognised the outstanding achievements of this year’s participants and award winners.
Brett Blacker, Managing Director for Duolingo ANZ, said the challenge demonstrated how deeply language learning resonates across the education sector. “These numbers reflect more than just competition — they show how passionate our community is about communication, culture, and learning,” Mr Blacker said.
Phil Honeywood, Chief Executive of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), said the challenge has become a unifying event for educators, students, and institutions alike. “This challenge is a powerful celebration of our sector’s shared passion, competitiveness, and diversity,” Mr Honeywood said.
The University of Queensland took home the Institutional Award, engaging more than 200 staff members and creating virtual learning communities that encouraged collaboration and motivation.
Katie McDonald from ILSC was named Individual Winner, while Clare Scoble from the University of Queensland was Runner-Up. Collectively, winners received more than $8,000 in charity prize contributions.
With plans already underway to expand the Challenge globally, Duolingo says this year’s success highlights the growing appetite for connection through language — and the shared belief that learning is a bridge between cultures.
