Much like the app it is based on, Duolingo IRL follows an approach to language learning through gamification, engaging design, and social components, augmented for this space though a narrative structure. This experience begins by guests registering their initial player data, such as their name and level of language proficiency, and then receiving a small flag with an NFC chip in it. Using this flag, guests interact with games and other components that help develop skills such as vocabulary, syntax, and cultural understanding by waiving the flag at or planting it on a component. The narrative has the guests follow a friend of Duo the owl that belongs to the culture of the language being taught as they go throughout their day. At the end of the experience, guests are incentivized to give back the flag to a kiosk by having it turn player data into a unique booklet with activities corresponding to what the guest learned that day and a code to integrate the player data with their duolingo account.

This experience can be retrofitted for any language depending on the cultural makeup of a given city it is set to make a stop at. For example, in the Spanish version, guests follow Sophia as she goes to school, dance class, and her Grandmother’s (Abuela in spanish) Birthday party to learn about delicious meals from all over Latin America.