🌏 From French to Finnish: How One Learner in Australia Turned a Language Passion into Real-World Impact
When Katie MacDonald joined the Australia & New Zealand Language Challenge, she just wanted to brush up on her French. A few new phrases, a short daily streak — nothing major.
But something unexpected happened.
Her short sessions became hours. Her streak grew. Her curiosity expanded — from French to Swedish, from Spanish to Arabic, all the way to ten different languages.
By the end of ten weeks, Katie had earned over 100,000 XP, becoming the top competitor and, even more importantly, a voice of inspiration for thousands of learners.
When she learned the winner could donate $5,000 USD to a charity of their choice, her motivation evolved into something deeper — turning language learning into lasting community impact.
💬 The Challenge That United an Entire Region
Over ten weeks, 723 competitors from 93 institutions across Australia and New Zealand logged nearly 10 million XP and 10,000 hours of language practice.
Learners weren’t just competing — they were connecting, celebrating, and learning together.
By the end, 326 participants kept their daily streaks alive, and the top three winners — Katie MacDonald, runner-up Clare Scoble (University of Queensland), and the University of Queensland team — collectively raised $8,000 for local charities, including:
- 🧡 Orange Sky, supporting people experiencing homelessness
- 💜 Open Haven, empowering women overcoming domestic violence
- 💚 AIATSIS Foundation, preserving and celebrating Indigenous languages
It wasn’t just a contest — it was a movement for multilingual learning and community giving.
✨ Katie’s Journey: Curiosity, Challenge, and Change
Katie, a learner at ILSC Brisbane, stood out for her passion and perseverance.
She studied ten languages in total — including Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, French, Scottish Gaelic, Portuguese, and Japanese.
“The challenge really made me appreciate the quirks of each language,” Katie said. “I’ve always loved French, but Swedish clicked for me in a way I didn’t expect.”
Her story is a reminder that language learning isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection.
Even when she felt stuck, she stayed motivated by remembering why she started:
“It wasn’t always easy, but my love of languages kept me going. When I realized I could help others through this challenge, it became much more than just a competition.”
Lance Graney
🧡 Turning Words into Action
When Katie discovered the top prize involved a $5,000 charitable donation, she knew exactly where it should go — Orange Sky, a Brisbane-based nonprofit providing mobile laundry, showers, and human connection for people experiencing homelessness.
“We moved to Brisbane two years ago, and my five-year-old son would ask why people were sleeping on the streets,” she said. “Orange Sky vans are such a bright, hopeful sight here — they represent care and dignity.”
Katie’s choice was both heartfelt and symbolic — Orange Sky’s signature color even matched her school’s orange logo at ILSC.
Through her victory, language learning became a literal force for good in her community.
🌱 What the Challenge Taught Us
The Duolingo Australia & New Zealand Language Challenge showed that language learning can:
- 🌍 Connect communities across borders and cultures
- 💪 Build resilience through consistent effort and curiosity
- 💝 Create real-world impact, not just academic results
It also revealed how gamified learning — streaks, XP, and friendly competition — can spark deeper engagement and purpose.
Katie’s story proves that learning a language can change lives — including your own.
5 Myths I Believed About the DET — Until I Experienced It Myself
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Learn smart. Score high. And make your own impact story next. 🌟
