In September, we hosted our biggest and boldest DETcon China yet! Held in Beijing, DETcon China 2025 brought together over 220 attendees, including national media, education influencers, international school leaders, student ambassadors, transnational education (TNE) representatives, and top agents. The event was Duolingo’s third annual summit in China and our most dynamic one to date.
We launched new research, introduced updated test features, and shared our long-term commitment to supporting Chinese learners and institutions.
Growing with purpose in China
In his opening remarks, Rogelio Alvarez, Vice President and GM of the Duolingo English Test, reaffirmed our long-term investment in China:
“Our goal is clear—to make the Duolingo English Test the global standard for English proficiency and lead the future of assessment. China is at the center of that vision.”
With over 1 billion registered learners and 130 million monthly active users, Duolingo is now the world’s most popular language learning platform. And China has become one of our most important growth markets both for learning and testing.
The Duolingo English Test has served more than 3 million test takers worldwide and is helping tens of thousands of students across 1,300 counties and cities in China apply to top universities around the globe. As Duolingo’s presence grows beyond Tier 1 cities, students from places like Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Wuhan, and Zhengzhou are accessing opportunities that were previously limited by test center access or geographic constraints.
Launching new tools and test features
DETcon China 2025 marked the official China launch of the Duolingo Score, a new feature that allows users to track and share their progress across multiple languages in a simple, intuitive format. The feature makes it easier for learners to understand their language journey—and to share it with others.
We also shared major updates to the Duolingo English Test, including new items like interactive speaking and listening tasks that more closely simulate real-world communication, and new security features like dual camera monitoring, which are built on our belief that testing should be both secure and accessible, and they reflect our commitment to continuous improvement.
Gaining global recognition and local support
The Duolingo English Test is now recognized by more than 6,000 higher education programs worldwide, including 98 of the top 100 U.S. universities (per U.S. News), 375+ programs in Canada, including all U15 research universities, leading UK institutions such as Imperial College London, University of York, and University of Southampton, and top universities in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
Chinese students are using DET scores to apply to a wide range of institutions and programs—including graduate, undergraduate, TNE, and English-medium degrees. At the institutional level, over 150 Chinese universities and high schools now use the DET across admissions, placement, and assessment scenarios. Our Global Partner Network (GPN) now includes over 1,600 education partners, helping us build a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem in China and around the world.
New research on China’s study abroad families
At DETcon, we also unveiled the 2025 China Study Abroad Family Report, produced in partnership with leading media outlet EduKnow. The report revealed key shifts in how families are planning for international education:
- Parents are exploring a broader range of destinations beyond the U.S.
- More students are planning to return to China after graduation
- Budgets are tightening during both preparation and study phases
- Families are prioritizing tests that are affordable, flexible, and widely accepted
These findings show that families are recalibrating their plans in response to a changing global landscape. And they confirm what we hear from test takers every day: that access, value, and convenience matter more than ever.
Investing in a shared future
DETcon China 2025 reflected our long-term commitment to the China market and our shared mission to expand access through innovation. This year’s record-setting attendance and cross-sector participation reflect the growing demand for assessment solutions that prioritize access, security, and quality.
Together—with students, families, schools, advisors, and institutions—we are building a future where language is never a barrier to opportunity. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Beijing. We’re just getting started!
