The yearly effort, arranged by Duolingo in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages, saw individuals collectively studying 43 languages.
This year’s obstacle saw parliamentarians and vice chancellors going head to head to win the most Duolingo XP.
Languages studied varied from commonly taught European languages such as French, Spanish and German to Welsh, Ukrainian, Hebrew and Arabic.
Mayer, MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, took top place in the Westminster classification after learning French through the app. She was followed by Caroline Johnson, who studied Italian, and Mike Wood, who discovered Arabic.
In the higher education category, Lemm, deputy vice-chancellor and provost at University of Greenwich, claimed the top prize. Cranfield University’s vice-chancellor Karen Holford ended up second, while the University of Greenwich’s professional vice-chancellor education, Jenny Marie, came third.
On The Other Hand, Cardiff Metropolitan University secured the top university title overall, with five locations in the leading ten institutional rankings. The University of Aberdeen and University of Bradford followed in 2nd and 3rd location respectively. Awards existed at an event in your homes of Parliament.
The difficulty expanded into the higher education sector for the first time in 2026, bringing senior university leaders into the competition along with MPs and parliamentary staffers.
Speaking after her win, Mayer stated the challenge highlighted the significance of language learning in the UK.
“Learning another language opens opportunities and broadens horizons,” she said.
She likewise alerted that too many youths were dropping languages early in their education, adding that the competition “triggers an important discussion about how we can provide youths the chances and abilities they are worthy of and the nation requires”.
Languages bring individuals together in unanticipated and enhancing way Vanessa Lemm, University of Greenwich Lemm, who refreshed her Italian while likewise beginning Portuguese during the challenge, stated language knowing had actually become “an essential part of my life and identity “.” I have actually always wondered about other cultures wanting to find out more about other individuals and their traditions,” she stated.” Languages bring individuals together in unexpected and enriching ways.”Holford, who has actually studied both Welsh and Italian, stated language
knowing was “an act of regard and curiosity “.”It opens doors to richer communication, boosts cultural understanding, and reinforces our capability to collaborate in a progressively interconnected world,”she stated. This year likewise presented prizes for parliamentary staffers and university staff members.
Matthew Brown, who deals with MP Perran Moon, was called leading parliamentary staffer, while Marie Chan from Cardiff Metropolitan University’s global trainee assistance group topped the university employee classification. According to Duolingo’s UK and Europe director Michael Lynas, the challenge demonstrates growing interest for language knowing in the UK. “Contrary to popular perceptions, Duolingo’s information shows that the UK is a leader internationally when it concerns learning numerous languages, and our young people are the most passionate age group,” he stated. The Duolingo Language Obstacle introduced in 2024 and has actually now attracted support from more than 250 MPs.