AI Language Learning: Yes Or No?

I have studied and taught languages for a number of years now, so I have experienced a huge variance of techniques and methods. Some are more effective than others, and some I find a lot more engaging for learning. Having studied computer science at university, the inner nerd in me couldn’t resist putting new AI capabilities to the test. I spent hours testing and engaging in AI-taught language learning methods, and it posed the question… Can AI teaching replace human teachers? Join me in discussing my key findings.

Personalised learning pathways, or not

AI offers objectivity, speed, and incredible attention to detail. But it can never offer the personalisation of a human language teacher. Sometimes, especially when starting something as daunting as learning a language, you need a friendly face to guide you through it. AI is pretty cool, but I don’t think it gives the warmth of an experienced teacher to calm the nerves.

Limited understanding of culture

In my experience, a huge part of learning the different facets of a new language is gaining an understanding of the culture around it. This is something AI found trouble doing whilst I interacted with it. The chatbot was able to tell me the theology of Janteloven literally. But, its impact and the context it has on Scandinavian languages—is a nuance out of its reach. Conversing, I have found that everyone learns differently and at different rates. I have frustrated many teachers with my slow, deliberate practice of basic phrases. But that’s the point: a human teacher can shape a conversation with someone who is just starting out and beginning. AI has no emotional intelligence, so it’s clunky, blunt, and extremely formal. This does not help.

Limited feedback

Feedback and criticism are how we grow. I could say a sentence to a human teacher that is fundamentally incorrect, mispronounced, and all sorts of back-to-front. This can be broken down and dissected over an amount of time, suitable to the subject, so that the corrections are understood. An AI chatbot provides limited feedback, so learning takes longer to grasp certain aspects.

Conclusion

From reading this article, it seems I have gone out on a whim to tear down the usefulness of AI. I would implore everyone to check out all of the resources they can because a combination of them is the most effective when learning or teaching. I myself use AI to supplement my learning and my teaching. However, when considering your options, I find it important to highlight why you shouldn’t lean too heavily on AI machinery to get you to your end goal.