The Pros and Cons of Using AI For Language Learning

The world is changing and so is the way we learn new languages. With the advancements in technology specifically in artificial intelligence, we no longer must rely on traditional methods of learning language.

AI language learning apps have emerged as a popular way of learning a new language. They offer personalized learning paths and an accessible mode of learning for anyone whether beginner or advanced.

However, like most things, AI is not without its faults. The lack of human engagement to privacy concerns. In case you are considering taking a language learning course with an app, we are going to give you an idea of what to expect. That is what you benefit from the apps and the disadvantages of using them.

Let’s dive in.

The Pros of AI In Language Learning

– Personalization and Adaptation

AI-powered language learning apps can tailor content to individual learners. You first must define how well you know the language before you start the lessons. And thereafter, the platform will analyze your progress, strengths, and weaknesses, adjusting exercises and materials accordingly. And if for some reason you start learning faster than before, your app will automatically adjust your lessons for you. Believe us that your learning pathway may not look like anyone else’s.

– 24/7 Availability

Imagine you are a working-class person but also with language learning classes on the other side of the town. How well do you like the commute? Probably not so much. Now consider that your language learning app is available to you whenever you want. You could study on your lunch break, or the commute home. You could even study in the middle of the night. Do you now see how you can practice your grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills at your convenience?

– Instant Feedback

We know that in a traditional class, your teacher will take some time to get back to you on how well you performed on that test. And with bigger classes, it is impossible to get instant feedback when you only have one teacher with more than several students. But what if we told you that you can get instant feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, and speech? You even get instant grades on your tests, thereby knowing where you need to improve. This helps to reinforce learning.

– Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Natural Language Processing algorithms are created to understand human language. Presented with large sets of data, it will enable a computer to understand idioms, context, and nuances. It will also be able to detect dialects and accents are present this information back to you. This helps learners get an authentic language experience.

– Gamification and Motivation

Many language apps feature gamified elements turning language learning into a fun and interactive experience. You will get kudos from your chatbot each time you excel at something. You will earn points for each correct answer given. And you will lose them for every incorrect one. You will earn badges for finishing levels and clearing tests. All the achievements will make it to your leaderboard where you will compete with other learners to win more points by completing at the top of the board. All these serve to keep learners consistent with their lessons.

All these are the advantages of using AI-powered apps. Now, let’s explore the possible downsides of using the apps.

The Cons of AI In Language Learning

– Lack of Human Interaction

While AI-powered apps can simulate conversations, they can’t replace the richness of human interactions. Human speech features nuance that AI may miss or is yet to learn. As such you may not be able to learn of these specific details in your language. The human speech also carries a lot of emotions and social context that Ai may not have captured and therefore can’t teach you. You still need human interaction to advance in your language learning.

– Overreliance on Technology

Other AI-powered systems have reduced the way we interact with each other. AI-powered apps also threaten to reduce the interaction of learners with native speakers. We understand that when you have the convenience to study at your own time and your own pace, you might enjoy the convenience a little bit too much.

In your learning journey, you need to immerse yourself into the culture by joining up in real-life situations where you need to speak your new language.

– Standardization vs. Creativity

AI tends to focus on standardized language rules. This could be the well-acknowledged grammar rules, sentence rules, and such. But you can learn this and still not be able to converse comfortably in that language.

What AI does not offer is slang, regional varieties, and creative use of language. All these are important aspects of language, as most of the native speakers will speak with this.

– Privacy Concerns

In recent times, data and identity theft have become more rampant. We have online shopping, online surveys, and online signups. Any one of these could be a scam aiming to steal your data.

In the same vein, many AI English language learning apps will often request information from you to improve the app and its services. You should be cautious about sharing your personal information as that will mostly find its way to third parties associated with the app. You should know that these apps do collect a lot of data. But here are some tips you can use to protect yourself:

• Read the privacy policy carefully. Now we know you like skipping those but try to read it. It will give an idea of what to expect.
• Configure your privacy settings to one that does not require a lot of information about you.
• Be careful what information you share.
• Do not use public wi-fi to access your app.
• Use a strong password and two-factor authentication for your account.

By following these tips, you can protect yourself when using language learning apps.

– Algorithm Bias

Algorithm bias refers to the systemic and repeatable errors in a computer system that may make an app give unfair results such as privileging one group and not another. This usually happens because there is a bias in the training data and the computer picks up on it. Remember, AI is trained.

Imagine the system is trained in a language by city-dwelling people. And this is all it has to work with. This means that rural dialects are not represented by the app. You either do not get the full language experience or you get too little information. This also affects content recommendations and language models because the app does not have the full picture.

The Potential of AI In Language Learning

Despite its limitations, AI has proven that it has enormous potential to transform the way we learn languages. AI-powered language learning apps can provide efficient and accessible learning, a personalized learning environment, and engaging language learning for learners all over the globe.

Learning languages may help to preserve the language in the world. By speaking with AI and engaging in foreign languages we help to keep them alive. By keeping these endangered languages alive, we promote diversity. Many people will be encouraged to practice their cultures freely.

And finally, AI is helping to bring language learning to people who might never have gotten a chance to learn a language. Not everyone speaks English which is arguably the common business language. AI-powered apps may help bridge this language gap for all the people who do not.

Wrapping Up

We have told you of the benefits of using AI-powered apps to learn a new language. Who knows, they may make your life easier. You get efficient lessons you can handle without stress. You get personalized learning pathways that serve to grow your fluency quickly and smoothly. You also get a chatbot that will engage your skills and congratulate you when you do good. And all this is wrapped up in a gamified interface that is both engaging and fun to use. You do not risk getting bored.

But we also looked at the limitations of using AI-powered apps to learn language. You miss out on real human engagement. You may be exposed to untrue and unfair biases from the app learning content. You also risk getting your identity stolen by third parties associated with the app. You may be influenced to rely too much on AI-powered apps and therefore compromise on human interactions.

But all these just prove that AI is a work in progress. The limitations shouldn’t detract from the assistance AI-powered apps offer to language learners. You only need to be aware of these shortcomings and still make use of the good aspects of AI.

With a little information on the pros and cons of using AI for language learning, we hope you will consider using AI-powered apps in addition to traditional language. The human interaction will help you to learn how to converse in real-life situations. And the app may help you get those grammatical rules much easier. The apps are not taking over language learning, they are complementary.