Can you learn a language using apps?

How effective are Apps and AI when learning language?

What made me think about this is my own language learning story.


Many of you know, I live in Spain but I work from home as an online Speaking Coach. It’s been years now that I use a well known language app to learn Spanish. It’s convenient and I want to keep learning even while I’m busy. Like many adult learners I was not prioritising language learning. I have to work, be a parent, manage a home, deal with the unforseen emergencies too and then there is little time left in a day. So using an app kept me learning even when I’m too busy to make learning language a priority.


However, recently I realised that I have almost used the app for 800 days consistently (literally every day for more than 2 years) and guess what? I still can’t confidently speak Spanish. I’ve learned vocabulary and some grammar but 800 days later… I should be able to speak a whole lot more, know more vocabulary, understand more grammar. I feel like I was hoping that just a little everyday would get me somewhere.


Realistically, for work purposes, it wasn’t enough. But it was better than doing nothing too.

Here are my pros and cons of language apps:

Pros

  • Convenient - You can learn any time and any where.
  • Cheap - many apps are free or really cheap.
  • Learn the basics - You can learn the basic greetings and some transactional language.
  • Revision and high repetition - as we get older, we need more repetition to make the language stick so this has been useful.
  • Practice without pressure or social anxiety - I could practice speaking and listening without the anxiety of face to face interactions.

Cons

  • Slow progress - Actual language learning progress is slow and I might argue, you won’t reach proficiency level.
  • Not achieving real life speaking ability - When you speak or listen, life is so much more complicated and you don’t get ready for this.
  • Use of language is not always correct - The language taught is quite limited.
  • Grammar complexities not explained - Real life grammar needs more explanation and sometimes there are many more questions that need answers.
  • Cultural aspects overlooked - The cultural diversity of language, regions and so on is overlooked.
  • Idiomatic language overlooked - So far, I’ve not reached a level of learning native use of Spanish.

Will AI teachers replace teachers?

AI teachers are popping up all over the place. It’s a sad time for real, living teachers because many of us had our teaching recorded without permission or payment, and at the end of the day, our livelihood stolen from under our noses. But let’s not poke that hornets nest!!!


What do you think? When will AI bot teachers provide great value and when will a human teacher be the right solution?

Will AI bot teacher replace real teachers?

In my opinion, beginner learners will benefit from AI bot teachers. But when it comes to being your best and showing up in your most confident self - AI won’t be able to get you there.


Why do I think this? It’s because they just don’t care about you.


I think what makes a teacher or coach special is the connection they have with their student. When teaching people to reach a higher level of performance, there needs to be empathy, care, kindness, the ability to see their strengths, to help them work on their weaknesses. I just don’t see AI bots as being able to do that - well - not yet.


I discussed this with my client recently and can quote her response, "AI doesn't feel real. I don't feel like I'm communicating. I don't feel seen or heard and the responses are limited."


I hope that you explore these learning options as tools and understand that taking the right action, at the right stage of your learning journey, is essential.

Here is my small sales punt:

I have a solution for busy adults who need to improve their English speaking and presentations. My blended 2 month course allows flexibility of accessing the recorded lesson content but that also provides live teaching. Find out more about my blended course that helps people improve their work place presentations. Go to the Courses page to find out more.

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