Cannot use the Duolingo app for speaking exercise (nor on ipad Chrome) on ipad mini 6, no options under ipad Settings

I have updated and reinstalled the Duolingo app for my ipad 6th generation before and after updating the iOS operating system, which is the latest 16.1. The app does not allow speaking exercises or sound effects. No Duolingo options are found on the ipad Mini 6 Settings except for enabling Siri/Search, Notifications and Background App Refresh (As opposed to my iphone SE, you can easily see the Duolingo app settings for Speech and Microphone, and since they are enabled, I always receive Speaking exercises). My ipad mini 6 has similar problem with its Chrome app-cannot use it because NO SPEAKING exercises are allowed at all, and Duolingo Chrome on the ipad Mini just responds that it cannot hear me respond. I have tried sending this to Duolingo Support/Help, and they have no solutions. Please help me with my ipad mini 6. Thank you.