Is App-Based Language Learning Effective?

Have you ever wanted to learn another language but don't know where to start, or take a foreign language in school and want to brush up on your skills? People around the world are learning language in a non-traditional way. With the help of AI, people learn languages digitally on their own. You can learn a language using a computer or even a cell phone in your pocket, making language learning available almost anywhere.

Years ago, a person would sign up at a school, college, or university to take traditional classes with a teacher in a classroom. They would learn from teacher notes and lectures, book study, practice activities on worksheets, and listening activities in the school. Practice was fairly limited to the time spent in the classroom. Eventually, listening laboratories were often included to help with listening and speaking skills. A person could attempt to learn a language, on their own by listening and practicing recorded lessons on records and tapes, or by moving to an area where the language is spoken. Listening to recorded lessons allows listeners to experience a natural, native speaker. The learners could replay the audio lessons as often as they wanted to practice.

Today language learning has also been changing with the times. Language learners have a variety of languages available for learning, even for free thanks to some AI programs. There are many language learning apps available to use. Some popular apps are designed to provide feedback, instruction, and assessment. The lessons are often based on repetitive skill practices. The programs do not include real conversation in social settings. However, these apps can support the curriculum and enhance language training.

Two top-rated apps for learning languages are Duolingo and Babbel. Both of these apps use technology to customize your learning experience. They keep track of your progress and if you're having difficulty with a particular area, they give you more practice. I have been using Duolingo for several years, both as a teacher and student. As a teacher, I have my students do a lesson or two each day during their free time allowing them to practice and reinforce what they've learned. As a language teacher, I find it beneficial to complement my curriculum with a language-learning app. This allows students to extend their learning beyond the current lessons. While the app may cover material ahead or behind what I'm teaching, it serves to reinforce and supplement the concepts covered in my classes. One thing that I don't like is the lack of customization in the program. It has a set path that it follows, and you cannot change it, which means that it does not always align with my lessons.

As a student, I value the flexibility of working at my own pace. If I need extra practice, I can revisit a lesson, or I can progress to the next level. The lessons are concise, allowing me to complete one or two between other activities. However, I do miss the human interaction that comes with a traditional classroom setting. I struggle with the pronunciation of words and feel that I am unable to carry on a conversation. Having experienced both learning and teaching, I believe that programs like Duolingo are beneficial as a supplement to a curriculum but not a standalone program.