When you tried to learn a foreign language, did it feel like you were swimming upstream? You’re not alone. It’s like diving through a vast ocean of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation quirks. But guess what else? Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is here to help you – find out more?
Imagine that you’re enjoying your morning coffee while chatting in Spanish with a virtual AI buddy. This is not some future fantasy. It happens right now.
Duolingo. You have probably heard about it. It’s a quirky app featuring a green-eyed owl who feels like more of a tutor than a personal trainer. Duolingo stands out because of its gamified way of learning. You earn points to unlock levels and you can even compete with your friends. It’s similar to Candy Crush except for your brain.
Rosetta Stone offers AI features if you are looking for something a little more powerful. This isn’t your grandmother’s language software any more. The latest version makes use of speech recognition technology in order to help you with that tricky French “r”, or the guttural German ‘ch. It gives immediate feedback based on your pronunciation.
Babbel offers a more personalized approach by adjusting lessons based upon your progress and preferences. Are you going to Italy soon? Babbel will give priority to phrases that are used for travel over jargon. Babbel makes learning conversational phrases less like homework, and more like chatting.
HelloTalk – a new social media platform for language learning. This is basically social media but without drama like high school reunions and political debates. You’ll be able to meet native speakers all over the world eager to teach you their language, while they are learning yours. It’s like Tinder, swipe right to mutually learn!
Let’s look at some lesser known gems.
Lingvist is an efficient platform. Lingvist analyses your information retention and adjusts its algorithms accordingly. Instead of endless repetition, this tool pinpoints what you’re most in need at any particular moment.
Mondly VR – yes, virtual reality – is also available. If you put on your VR goggles you will not only be reading about the coffee shops in Paris but you will also be experiencing them in a virtual cafe, complete with impatient baristas and ambient noise.
Google Translate, too, has improved since the days of its awkward translations. Its conversation mode feature allows two users to speak different languages on one device, with real-time translating taking place in front of their eyes or ears.
Pimsleur courses can be used during your workout or commute if you are someone who loves structure and craves flexibility. The technique of spaced repetition ensures the words will stick in your mind without being repetitive.
Grammarly offers multilingual corrections for the grammar geeks in our midst (you’ll know who you are). This allows you to polish your emails or essays in different languages.
Remember Anki? It might look dated in comparison to the latest VR apps, but this flashcard app is still powerful when combined with AI decks created specifically for language learning needs.
In essence folks–you’ve got options galore! There are a variety of options available to polyglots. From apps that transform study sessions into games, to sophisticated platforms that leverage cutting-edge technologies.
If someone ever tells you that they are struggling to learn Mandarin, or Portuguese — give them a heads-up on the AI marvels available at their fingertips.