Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly popular tool in the field of self-study of languages. Thanks to its advanced capabilities, the process of acquiring new languages can be greatly improved.
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the possibilities of self-directed learning. In my e-book “Effective Language Learning For Everyone” (2024) I mention it’s possible applications.
In this article, I discuss the benefits, practical tips and potential risks of using AI in language learning.
Benefits of using AI in language learning
Personalization of learning
AI-based systems are able to adapt to each person’s individual needs and learning pace. This makes learning more efficient and effective. For example, we can ask the AI to create content or tasks on those topics that interest us. Additionally, we can optimize the level of difficulty if the vocabulary used is beyond our current knowledge. The AI is not in a hurry for the next meeting and is characterized by infinite patience. All we have to do is write to it (often many times…) what we care about, and we will eventually get the desired result.
Automatic progress assessment and feedback
AI systems can automatically assess a student’s progress, identifying areas for improvement and suggesting appropriate exercises. All we have to do is ask the AI to take on the role of a teacher to evaluate how we speak or write in the language. This way we get immediate feedback and can correct how we use the language.
Interactive exercises
With Si, we can create for ourselves a wide range of interactive exercises to help learn vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc. These exercises can be in the form of games, quizzes, challenges and other engaging activities that make language learning fun and effective. All we have to do is instruct the AI to create the appropriate exercise or explain to it the rules of the game we want it to play with us.
Speech recognition
Advanced AI systems can perform automatic speech recognition, which makes it easier to train communication in a foreign language. At the moment, most of the free solutions, do not have a speech recognition function (ChatGPT has such a function only in the mobile application), but it is not excluded that by the time I click the “publish” button this will have already changed…. After all, the world of AI is developing very rapidly.
Potential risks and limitations of AI in language learning
Lack of interpersonal interaction
Relying on AI can limit interactions with other people in the target language, which can be important for developing communication skills. Breaking the language barrier requires getting used to the discomfort of making mistakes in the presence of another human. Making mistakes in front of a machine can be a great, and emotionally comfortable, workout, but it’s no substitute for communicating with another human being, and it won’t get us used to the emotions one must face when speaking a foreign language.
In addition, research shows that humans process interactions with machines differently than with other humans. It’s not that we will know the difference between a text created by a machine and one written by a human, but our awareness of a machine will make us approach communication differently. So unless we can ask someone to “trick” us into thinking that we are actually talking to a living human being, we won’t get away with communicating with humans….
Translation errors
Despite advanced technology, AI systems sometimes make translation errors, which can lead to misunderstandings and learning incorrect phrases. With paid solutions, this problem usually disappears, but it is worth being vigilant.
In conclusion, artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool in self-directed language learning, as long as it is used judiciously and in combination with a variety of learning methods. The key to success is systematic practice, setting realistic goals and regular experimentation with a variety of learning methods and educational materials.
This article was written in response to an inquiry from one of you.
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