While the site can be set for use in various languages, the courses are specific to learning languages from a starting language, e.g. Spanish from English. I doubt it would even work for me if I tried to switch the site's language to Spanish.

Duolingo does have a few features to help in practicing though. One is stories, in which they present little illustrated and often humorous fictional stories in the target language. There are a handful of challenges within the stories and vocabulary practice at the end. I've done many of these and use them as a kind of treat after I finish daily lessons.

The other is a podcast of I think true stories, written in the target language in a simple form. I haven't really gotten into the podcast yet.

I have already been looking for resources outside of Duolingo to help with practice, but I haven't found much yet.

@bingst When I was beginning in Spanish and living in Spain, I found it helpful to watch documentaries - they speak quite clearly and slowly, and also the weather forecast, where they speak quite quickly but the vocabulary is very limited. I think it helps to listen to native speakers even if you don't understand a lot of what they say - it gives you the feel and intonation of the language.

@CeliaVL Interesting ideas. As for exposure to native speakers, I grew up in south Texas. I've had tons.

@bingst Depends on what variety of Spanish you want to speak, read, etc! There sre even more varieties of Spanish than there are of English.

@CeliaVL what a great idea

@bingst Well, but "that" Spanish is not one I would recommend....since I don't doubt is plagued with regionalisms and Spanglish.

Si quieres, te ayudo a practicar el español. Soy profesora de esta lengua.

@DUCHESSA In central Spain we would not use 'lengua', but rather 'idioma'. Spanish, like English changes as it travels.

@CeliaVL Well, is a very common expression.