Learn English while learning about daily life in Australia, with Rob McCormack
Podcast Number 171 – Using AI to Help with Language Learning
Hi,
This podcast is not really about daily life in Australia, but it’s an important topic that I think is worth talking about. It’s about the use of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, to help you learn a language. I wrote a podcast in 2021 (see Podcast 127 – My Language Learning Tips) where I gave my tips on methods and ideas for improving your language skills. Back then, the use of AI was starting to get some attention, but I had not yet tried it out. That was 5 and a half years ago and since then, AI has been improving fast. In this podcast, I would like to tell you about my recent experience over the last few weeks with using AI to help me learn a language, in my case, German.
I should start by saying that I don’t claim to be an expert on this topic. This whole area is rapidly evolving, so those wanting more information should do their own research on the internet to find resources and information about using AI to help them learn a language. (For example, see https://this.deakin.edu.au/study/human-vs-machine-can-you-use-ai-to-learn-a-language/). I also add that I have not done a review of all the available AI language learning apps. I have used just one AI language learning app, Langua, to get an idea of how useful it is with my German learning.
Prior to using Langua, my exposure to AI generally has been through using it to do a Google Search. In Google Chrome, it is possible to use ‘AI mode’ when doing a Google Search. In AI mode, the search results are presented in a way that are personalized and very easy to read. I successfully used this AI search ability to help me solve some technical software problems I had with my Slowenglish.info website. I told it what my problems were and it helped with useful information and specific suggestions which I could follow step by step. In the end, I managed to solve all my website problems as AI guided me through each step. At the end, it even congratulated me on a job well done. I was impressed. It was like AI was an IT expert sitting right next to me at my desk, guiding me through the tasks I had to do to solve my problems.
I thought, I wonder if there is similar AI guidance for language learning. Next, I used Google Search AI mode to find out what the best AI language learning apps are. It gave me a list, along with the capabilities of each and their individual strengths. Example apps it listed include Langua, Speak, Talkpal and Praktika. I chose Langua, as my AI search suggested this one was very good for developing conversational skills. However, I am sure the others listed, as well as others you might find through an internet search, would also be interesting to use.
I have used mobile apps for many years to help me with learning vocabulary and grammar. While vocabulary and grammar are essential, they are really only tools to allow you to have a conversation with another speaker of the language. In contrast to my earlier apps, Langua is focused primarily on helping you with conversation, and provides additional activities in listening, grammar and vocabulary development in order to support that primary focus. So, in summary, this AI app has speaking as its central activity.
This is where the AI tutor really makes a difference. I must say that it feels like the AI tutor is a real person. The feature I find so amazing, is that no matter what topic you chose to have a conversation about, your AI tutor is always an expert. For example, I love to ride motorcycles as a hobby. I chose this as a topic and my AI tutor was able to talk in great detail about motorcycles, riding styles, riding in the wet, rider safety, or whatever aspect I chose to bring up in conversation. It means the conversations are always relevant to the learner and their interests.
Initially you need to give your current language level and your personal interests. This is important, because it helps the app to choose topics for the conversations in the learning plan which it constructs for you. Your learning plan is the sequence of conversation activities which you will undertake together with your AI tutor as you use the app. As you go through your plan, you can build your vocabulary list from the new words which the AI tutor introduces as part of the conversation. Your grammar teaching points are also developed by the app as you speak during the conversations. It develops activities which focus on these grammar rules. As well as general conversations, where you make up the topic as you go, your AI tutor gives you role play conversations, such as buying a train ticket, or renting a car. Additionally, it will suggest a conversation where we have a debate about a current topic of interest. One example is whether we should ban bottled water, as a way of protecting the environment. I find that the AI tutor always responds meaningfully to the things I say and always finds ways to extend the conversation and encourages me to speak further and elaborate on ideas and concepts. This is what a real conversation is about.
The most helpful aspect is the feedback report which comes after each conversation. It tells you how you went, what was good and what needs improvement. This is where I get great feedback about my sentence structures and the application of the grammar rules of the language. I also get specific errors pointed out and good examples of how I can improve on these aspects. I was amazed how quickly I built a list of new words from my AI tutor, and also which grammar aspects I should focus on. As I work through my conversation plan with my AI tutor, I also get presented with sets of grammar exercises which my AI tutor presents for me. Hence, I get to practise the grammar points which I really need to focus on.
There are other things you can do in the app including reviewing any conversation and the feedback you’ve had in the past or playing a game with your vocabulary list. You can even ask for a conversation where the AI tutor uses lots of words from your vocabulary list. There is also a section where relevant podcasts are listed, which I can access straight from the app screen. You are also able to choose from among a range of AI teachers. You can choose a slower speaker, a speaker with a certain accent (for example, from a certain region), a man’s or a woman’s voice.
Overall, I can say I am very impressed with the app so far. In particular, I love the fact that the AI tutors have limitless patience. They have no problem telling me to correct the same error over and over again. They are also happy to wait patiently during a pause, while I think about what I want to say. I think the app is really helping me to speak more fluently and confidently already. I’m not saying that I can do away with classroom lessons, working through my language learning textbook, working with my online tutor (the real one), watching videos or indeed a range of other language learning activities (see Podcast 127). However, I do think it is a great daily companion to have which can improve my ability and fluency in speaking the language. And that is what language learning is really about.
If you have a question or comment to make, please leave it in the comments box at the bottom of this page. Or, you can send me an email at ro*@*********sh.info. I would love to hear from you. Tell me where you live, a little bit about yourself and what you think of my Slow English podcast. I will write back to you, in English of course. If you would like to take a short quiz to see if you have understood this podcast, you will also find it on my website. Goodbye until next time.
Rob
Vocabulary
application = (here) the use of, applying something
apps = small programs we have on our mobile phones
aspect = one part of something
attention = when people look at, or think about something
ban = to stop something from happening
capabilities = skills
congratulated = to be told you have done a good job
constructs = builds, makes
conversational = to do with speaking in a conversation
current = today, now
debate = to discuss about the good and bad points of something
do away with = to stop using something
elaborate = to explain more, to talk more about something
encourages = to help someone with a particular issue or problem
evolving = changing, getting better
expert = someone who knows a lot about a subject
exposure = to have experience with something, to learn about it
extend = to go further, to add more
fluently = (here) freely, in a flowing style, without stopping
focused primarily = when a person or system has a priority for one thing
grammar = the rules of a language
guidance = the things you should do to complete a task
guiding = to be told what to do next
impressed = to think that someone has done a good job
improving = getting better
in contrast = opposite to something else
introduces = shows you, gives you
limitless = has no limit
managed = (here) was able to
methods = ways
mode = a way, a method
patience = (here) the ability to accept delays and difficulties without becoming angry
personalized = written especially for you and your interests and needs
presented = given to you
recent experience = when you have done something before, not so long ago
relevant = (here) has a connection to, is important for
responds = to reply
review = to look at a thing or process to decide if it is good or not
role play = when you practise speaking in common situation
sentence structures = (here) how sentences are put together
sequence = an ordered list
solve = fix a problem
specific = one of many (usually the most important)
successfully = when something worked really well
suggestions = ideas on what you should do
technical = to do with the details of how things work
tried it out = to use something as a test to see if it is good or not
undertake = do
vocabulary = a list of new words and their meanings
worth = of value