Learning through apps more than just a trend

In a globalised world, the benefits of being multilingual are undeniable. We interact with people from different parts of the world, and learning a language can be an important part of establishing rapport. Traditionally, languages have been learnt in two ways: by studying the structure and rules of the language (the grammar method), or by just being part of the target community (the immersion method). Gradually, machines took over as cassettes, CDs and DVDs were used in language labs with learners practicing speech sounds and sentences through repetition. This technique, although new at the time, was mainly one-sided, with no feedback or interaction. Most importantly, it was also without a context for communication.

As the Internet took over and learners began to interact with residents in different parts of the world in real time, learning languages actually became useful and fun. E-mails and chat rooms were used to converse, with responses and feedback serving as real motivation to learn.

Language apps saw a sudden rise during Covid-19 lockdowns in the last 2 years. According to Duolingo, the popular language learning app, subscriptions rose by almost 200 per cent in different parts of the world during the lockdown period, with Europe and Asia seeing the largest rise in new learners.

Currently, Artificial Intelligence is still used as a way to learn reading and writing using the communicative method of language learning. The advantages, of course, are self-evident. From being able to choose our own convenient time and speed to learn, skip over certain skills and spend time over others, to having automated translation for quicker learning, the advantages of using applications to learn a language are immense.

Of course, most applications start out being free, with added features like advertisement-free learning coming at a cost.

The current challenge, however, is keep the learners engaged with the applications. Studies by Babbel, another popular language learning app, showed that more than 36 per cent of learners switched off using the application after a few uses.

Motivation is an important reason given for this loss of interest. Learning any skill can be a lonely, and without much feedback, loss of interest is almost guaranteed.

Providers of these applications are of course aware of this gap. This accounts for the frequent ‘well done’, ‘better luck next time’ phrases at the end of every short exercise. But this is not anywhere enough as it tends to get repetitive and predictable, and, as such, artificial.

Learning foreign languages has almost become second nature to many youngsters as they continue to be exposed to different experiences and languages through social media and even online games. Online applications have done much to make learning productive and enjoyable, but there is still a gap in terms of real feedback, using a more personalised approach, and even addressing specific concerns of learners.

Communication is of course best achieved between real people, but when that is not possible, AI comes a close second.