The annual initiative, organised by Duolingo in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages, saw participants collectively studying 43 languages.
This year’s challenge saw parliamentarians and vice chancellors going head to head to win the most Duolingo XP.
Languages studied ranged 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 first place in the Westminster category after learning French through the app. She was followed by Caroline Johnson, who studied Italian, and Mike Wood, who learned 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 finished second, while the University of Greenwich’s pro vice-chancellor education, Jenny Marie, came third.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Metropolitan University secured the top university title overall, with five places in the top ten institutional rankings. The University of Aberdeen and University of Bradford followed in second and third place respectively. Awards were presented at a ceremony in the Houses of Parliament.
The challenge expanded into the higher education sector for the first time in 2026, bringing senior university leaders into the competition alongside MPs and parliamentary staffers.
Speaking after her win, Mayer said the challenge highlighted the importance of language learning in the UK.
“Learning another language opens up opportunities and broadens horizons,” she said.
She also warned that too many young people were dropping languages early in their education, adding that the competition “sparks an important conversation about how we can give young people the opportunities and skills they deserve and the nation needs”.
Languages bring people together in unexpected and enriching wayVanessa Lemm, University of Greenwich
Lemm, who refreshed her Italian while also beginning Portuguese during the challenge, said language learning had become “an integral part of my life and identity”.
“I have always been curious about other cultures wanting to learn more about other people and their traditions,” she said. “Languages bring people together in unexpected and enriching ways.”
Holford, who has studied both Welsh and Italian, said language learning was “an act of respect and curiosity”.
“It opens doors to richer communication, enhances cultural understanding, and strengthens our ability to collaborate in an increasingly interconnected world,” she said.
This year also introduced prizes for parliamentary staffers and university employees. Matthew Brown, who works with MP Perran Moon, was named top parliamentary staffer, while Marie Chan from Cardiff Metropolitan University’s international student support team topped the university employee category.
According to Duolingo’s UK and Europe director Michael Lynas, the challenge demonstrates growing enthusiasm for language learning in the UK.
“Contrary to popular perceptions, Duolingo’s data shows that the UK is a leader globally when it comes to learning multiple languages, and our young people are the most enthusiastic age group,” he said.
The Duolingo Language Challenge launched in 2024 and has now attracted support from more than 250 MPs.
