It sounds the same, but it is not. The irruption of artificial intelligence into our lives is radically changing the way we study foreign languages. One only has to do a little Google search to realize how vast is the panorama of apps that allow us to deepen our knowledge of another language in a wide variety of ways.
They range from simultaneous translation, to autocorrecting texts, to talking to a virtual teacher that allows you to improve your skills wherever you are and at any time of day or night. With extraordinary cost savings. When you consider that a course of 10 one-hour lessons with a native speaker teacher ranges from 200 to 400 euros while a year's subscription to an app like Loora is no more than 120 euros, it is easy to see why the development of these apps is set to multiply in a very short time.
According to a study by the American company Meticolous Research, the language learning market will reach a value of $21.2 billion by 2027. A figure that gives an idea of how big the business related to the sector is. Not surprisingly, IT giants, first and foremost Google, Apple and Microsoft, have jumped in, investing heavily in research and development.
But how do these apps that students around the world are turning to work? The initial approach involves a test to define the user's level of knowledge. Through a series of questions, the algorithm detects abilities and instantly imprints a tailor-made language course. Taught by a virtual teacher. Google, for example, has fielded a model christened LaMDA that is based on an algorithm aimed at natural language understanding. The LaMDA can answer questions put to it and even use irony.
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The app with the largest number of learners, 32 million worldwide, is called Duolingo. It offers a platform to simulate a human conversation and is, in its basic version, completely free. At first glance it looks simple and intuitive, provides a series of stimuli to students complete with virtual rewards based on the results that are gradually achieved. Upgrading to the paid version costs 89.99 euros for 12 months and, in addition to the free learning phase, offers skills review, error correction, access to challenges with other students and excludes advertisements.
Regardless, however, of the various models developed by hi tech giants, the user is dealing with virtual subjects with human-like features that guide him step by step in learning spoken and written language, including grammar. This is a quantum leap that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
At this point, it is easy to wonder whether the market for live teachers is put at serious risk, given the ease of use and enormously lower costs that artificial intelligence can rely on. On this side, however, experts are broadly in agreement. This is evidenced by reports from the European Language Day, celebrated on September 26 last year.
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The conclusions reached by the maître a penser of continental computing emphasize how AI does not easily grasp the ambiguities of vocabulary, the nuances existing between different languages, hidden messages, and nonverbal communication. So, algorithm-based study will certainly provide valuable support to those who want to learn a new language, but it will not be able in the near future to replace teacher-curated learning in real life.
It sounds the same, but it is not.
Illustration by Gloria Dozio - Acrimònia Studios
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