The impact of AI on language learning

Charlotte Guest
People sat in a office, one with a VR headset on smiling and gesturing with the other two watching

Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown itself to be a useful and breakthrough tool for many things, including language learning. Educators, learners and businesses are constantly seeking effective methods to impart language skills and AI-powered solutions have proved to be invaluable assets in this regard.

The impact of AI on language learning is multifaceted, presenting opportunities as well as challenges for educators, learners and corporate entities. According to a , many institutions say that AI will be instrumental to improving their competitiveness, funding, and innovation.

It is a widely discussed topic nowadays. While it has its advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

The impact of AI on language learning
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Pros

Personalized learning

AI-powered language learning platforms analyze user's strengths, weaknesses, learning pace, and preferences to offer a personalized learning path. This approach enhances engagement and optimizes learning outcomes and goals.

Accessible

These types of applications and programs enable language learners to access lessons, exercises, and tutoring from anywhere, at any time, breaking down barriers and offering flexibility to learners worldwide. It can aid and support students with additional needs, making learning a lot less of an obstacle. For example, condensing/summarising content or tasks in an understandable way or suggesting word alternatives, just to name a few.

Enhanced and immediate feedback

It can provide learners with instantaneous feedback on their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage. This feedback allows learners to identify their mistakes and rectify them promptly, accelerating the learning process. AI can use advanced voice recognition technology to detect the learner's pronunciation and accent to provide accurate feedback.

With real-time analysis, algorithms can identify errors and suggest corrections right away and feedback is personalized.Ìý Based on the level of proficiency, algorithms can provide suggestions that are easy to understand and implement. This means more time to do other things, without worrying about providing or waiting for feedback.

Augmented teaching

AI tools are used to supplement traditional teaching methods. They help teachers create dynamic lesson plans, track student progress and identify areas that require additional attention, enhancing overall teaching effectiveness. This makes teaching more effective and enjoyable for both teachers and students. Plus, it takes some of the pressure off teachers by lightening their workload.

Cons

Lack of human interaction

AI has a significant limitation in language learning as it lacks the ability to provide authentic human interaction. Language acquisition is a complex process that involves cultural nuances and subtle communication cues that AI may not be able to fully comprehend. As a result, the immersive experience may be limited.

We have not yet reached a level where AI is proficient in natural spoken conversation, so its ability to assist in certain language contexts is currently limited. It will no doubt develop over time, but currently, it's not at a developed enough level. There are upcoming experimental conversational tools like , developed by Google, which are great examples of AI-powered conversation simulators.Ìý Ìý

Plagiarism and overreliance

Excessive reliance on AI-based tools might hinder the development of self-reliance and critical thinking skills in learners. Relying solely on technology and the ability to adapt to diverse real-world linguistic scenarios.ÌýTeachers are also more likely to face the challenge of students submitting AI-generated assignments.

So tools and systems will have to be implemented to check and identify any unoriginal AI-generated content. But this will be a constant process; as AI evolves and improves, so will plagiarism systems; it will likely be a constant race to keep up.ÌýCommonly used like are now incorporating checks for AI-generated content; the company reported that reviewed had been flagged as having its majority content AI-generated.Ìý

Unequal access/resources

There is a concern that not all learners may have equal access to these tools due to technological disparities, which could create a learning divide. While some schools and institutions may have the resources to invest in advanced AI systems and software, others may lack the necessary infrastructure or funding to provide their students with the same level of access.

This could mean that students in less privileged communities or schools may be at a disadvantage, missing out on the benefits of AI-powered learning tools and falling behind their peers who have access to them. Technology typically becomes cheaper over time, due to things like improved manufacturing processes, wider circulation and broader competition but this still may mean less privileged institutions could be left behind, using older or previous-generation tech which may not be as easy to use and learn from.

Privacy and ethics

AI-powered language learning platforms collect a large amount of user data. However, many users are concerned about data privacy, security breaches, and of their personal information. As AI is implemented more heavily into platforms, it will require more data to function effectively. Therefore, advanced security systems must be implemented and kept up to date to ensure that user data is securely protected from potential data breaches.Ìý

As it's integrated more into people's lives and work, countries have begun Implementing AI-related laws to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI in daily life. Similarly, as AI develops, laws will need to constantly develop to keep up to date with technological advancements.Ìý

What about the future?

The field of language learning has a promising future with the advancement of AI. Below are some potential predictions for the not-so-far-away future:

Advancements in natural language processing (NLP)

Ìýwill likely continue to advance, allowing AI systems to better understand, interpret, and generate human language. Helping it to understand the subtleties of human emotion. This will result in more advanced language learning applications with contextual understanding and nuanced feedback.

Enhanced multilingual capabilities

As technology advances, AI-driven language learning platforms are becoming increasingly popular. These platforms are now being designed to offer greater support for a wide range of languages, catering to the diverse linguistic needs of individuals worldwide. This will enable more people to access quality language education, regardless of their location or background.

With the help of these platforms, language learners could benefit from personalized and immersive learning experiences that are tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

Greater integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

VR and AR with AI will revolutionize the way we learn languages. This cutting-edge technology will create highly immersive environments that simulate real-life scenarios, allowing learners to practice their language skills in a safe and controlled environment. Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp is a great example of using this kind of technology in language learning with their and apps.Ìý

One example is that students could use virtual reality to travel to a foreign country and communicate with native speakers in real time. Easily ordering food from local restaurants or navigating through the city, all within the virtual reality platform. This type of experiential learning could significantly enhance cultural understanding, improve communication skills, and boost language proficiency, all in the comfort of home, school, or even the workplace.

With the increasing affordability and accessibility of such technologies, it is expected that such learning experiences will become more common. There are already VR with AI-controlled characters to produce more realistic and expanded responses to conversations, rather than responses being limited by a select few pre-programmed choices and getting the same few responses. This could also expand to language learning games/simulations.Ìý

Ìý

The impact of AI on language learning is unquestionably transformative. It offers personalized, accessible, and efficient learning experiences. However, there are challenges such as the lack of human interaction and data privacy concerns. Therefore, we need to maintain a balanced approach while leveraging AI for language education.

As technology evolves, it's crucial to harness its potential while preserving the essence of authentic language acquisition and cultural understanding. The future promises exciting advancements that will further revolutionize language learning through AI integration.Ìý

Check out how we use AI here at ÃÛÌÒapp

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  • A teacher helping a teenage student working at her desk in a library

    How teachers can use the GSE for professional development

    By Fajarudin Akbar
    Reading time: 4.5 minutes

    As English teachers, we’re usually the ones helping others grow. We guide learners through challenges, celebrate their progress and push them to reach new heights. But what about our own growth? How do we, as educators, continue to develop and refine our practice?

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) is often seen as a tool for assessing students. However, in my experience, it can also be a powerful guide for teachers who want to become more intentional, reflective, and confident in their teaching. Here's how the GSE has helped me in my own journey as an English teacher and how it can support yours too.

    About the GSE

    The GSE is a proficiency scale developed by ÃÛÌÒapp. It measures English ability across four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – on a scale from 10 to 90. It’s aligned with the CEFR but offers more detailed learning objectives, which can be incredibly useful in diverse teaching contexts.

    I first encountered the GSE while exploring ways to better personalize learning objectives in my Business English classes. As a teacher in a non-formal education setting in Indonesia, I often work with students who don’t fit neatly into one CEFR level. I needed something more precise, more flexible, and more connected to real classroom practice. That’s when the GSE became a turning point.

    Reflecting on our teaching practice

    The GSE helped me pause and reflect. I started reading through the learning objectives and asking myself important questions. Were my lessons really aligned with what learners at this level needed? Was I challenging them just enough or too much?

    By using the GSE as a mirror, I began to see areas where I could improve. For example, I realized that, although I was confident teaching speaking skills, I wasn’t always giving enough attention to writing development. The GSE didn’t judge me. It simply showed me where I could grow.

    Planning with purpose

    One of the best things about the GSE is that it brings clarity to lesson planning. Instead of guessing whether an activity is suitable for a student’s level, I now check the GSE objectives. If I know a learner is at GSE 50 in speaking, I can design a role-play that matches that level of complexity. If another learner is at GSE 60, I can challenge them with more open-ended tasks.

    Planning becomes easier and more purposeful. I don’t just create lessons, I design learning experiences that truly meet students where they are.

    Collaborating with other teachers

    The GSE has also become a shared language for collaboration. When I run workshops or peer mentoring sessions, I often invite teachers to explore the GSE Toolkit together. We look at learning objectives, discuss how they apply to our learners, and brainstorm ways to adapt materials.

    These sessions are not just about theory: they’re energizing. Teachers leave with new ideas, renewed motivation and a clearer sense of how to bring their teaching to the next level.

    Getting started with the GSE

    If you’re curious about how to start using the GSE for your own growth, here are a few simple steps:

    • Visit the GSE Teacher Toolkit and explore the learning objectives for the skills and levels you teach.
    • Choose one or two objectives that resonate with you and reflect on whether your current lessons address them.
    • Try adapting a familiar activity to better align with a specific GSE range.
    • Use the GSE when planning peer observations or professional learning communities. It gives your discussions a clear focus.

    Case study from my classroom

    I once had a private Business English student preparing for a job interview. Her speaking skills were solid – around GSE 55 – but her writing was more limited, probably around GSE 45. Instead of giving her the same tasks across both skills, I personalized the lesson.

    For speaking, we practiced mock interviews using complex questions. For writing, I supported her with guided sentence frames for email writing. By targeting her actual levels, not just a general CEFR level, she improved faster and felt more confident.

    That experience reminded me that when we teach with clarity, learners respond with progress.

    Challenges and solutions

    Of course, using the GSE can feel overwhelming at first. There are many descriptors, and it can take time to get familiar with the scale. My advice is to start small: focus on one skill or one level. Also, use the Toolkit as a companion, not a checklist.

    Another challenge is integrating the GSE into existing materials, and this is where technology can help. I often use AI tools like ChatGPT to adjust or rewrite tasks so they better match specific GSE levels. This saves time and makes differentiation easier.

    Teachers deserve development too

    Teaching is a lifelong journey. The GSE doesn’t just support our students, it also supports us. It helps us reflect, plan, and collaborate more meaningfully. Most of all, it reminds us that our growth as teachers is just as important as the progress of our learners.

    If you’re looking for a simple, practical, and inspiring way to guide your professional development, give the GSE a try. It helped me grow, and I believe it can help you too.

    Additional resources