Duo lingo or whatever are great for little bits of practice but you're going to struggle to learn anything to a getting by in normal conversation way with it, especially if it's all you do. There's loads of other free resources out there though and if you're motivated for long enough you could probably sort it yourself. I've dabbled in Spanish on and off now for even longer than when I started this thread and when I went to Spain earlier in the year I was pleased that I understood parts of passing conversations and could ask for basic shit and get by if it was something I needed, but I was far away from having a conversation. I'm pretty sure I've got a decent foundation to build on with some lessons or actual motivation if I was able to arrange either.
Duo lingo or whatever are great for little bits of practice but you're going to struggle to learn anything to a getting by in normal conversation way with it, especially if it's all you do. There's loads of other free resources out there though and if you're motivated for long enough you could probably sort it yourself. I've dabbled in Spanish on and off now for even longer than when I started this thread and when I went to Spain earlier in the year I was pleased that I understood parts of passing conversations and could ask for basic shit and get by if it was something I needed, but I was far away from having a conversation. I'm pretty sure I've got a decent foundation to build on with some lessons or actual motivation if I was able to arrange either.