What about AI?

I remember reading in a statement from Rocketlanguages that AI has been considered, but decided that it's not ready yet.
I like to disagree :-)
I've been using a decent AI Language tool (not one of those who pretend, that you can be fluent in a month) and it's like having a privat tutor, I can have live conversations with, have it explain grammar for me, practice it immediately AND ALWAYS with different phrases and I think that is really important.

Why? Because, when I repeat a chapter often to strengthen the grammar, I notice, that I learn the phrases by heart, completely unintentional, instead of understanding the grammar concept better.

So, with a well structured course like rocket languages has it, that would be great.

• - click on any word and have it translated, or the complete phrase that it's in
• - have anything translated into your native language (if it's not english)
• - ask any question and practice immediately
• - have any conversation you want, it's like visiting the country

While rocketfrench has been great up to this point, especially for pronunciation, I use the AI tool in addition to it and grammar does feels less of a chore ;-)

What is this AI tool you are talking about?

I found this through a youtube video of Luca Lampariello, who testet it for a month.

https://youtu.be/yM4LEUzPnLs?si=qI5FHy7q3UuI4BX6 

It's called languatalk (not to be confused with langotalk) and such a great addition to my rocketfrench course. I have used chatgpt before to ask grammar questions and got quite decent responds, but this is one step further. I have not used the conversational features that much yet, but you can see how that works in Lucas video and how lifelike it is. 

I use it in addition to my rocketfrench course and I'm convinced that, if rocket languages could work something like this into their courses, that would be so great, helpful and versatile.

Thanks for that, Armin. Based on your recommendation, I'll have a look at Languatalk. I'm on level 4 on Rocket French, so I'm sure it'll be of benefit.  I've used a general AI site to clarify grammar, and it does so very well.

Merci.

Chris

Hey ChrisM108,

level 4 … have I missed something ;-) 

I've asked langua about the “subjonctif” and I actually learned pretty quick what it's all about and when it is used, in what situations, after what words etc., while on rocketfrench, I can practice conjugation, learn to recognise it from hearing, repeating it and all that - so they complement each other very well.
I would not like to miss the feature of rocket languages to listen to native speakers, repeat the phrase and then compare and work on my prononciation that way :-)
I really think if rocketlanguages could integrate AI in what they have, that that would make them so competative in the market.

à bientôt 

Armin

A typo, Armin - I meant to say lesson 4.2…!  I've used Langua AI based on your comments, and really like the realism and of flexibility of it.  I also use AI on Memrise, but it is a v. 3 and not at all customisable.  I'm a big fan of Rocket and agree with you that a Langua-quality AI would really. add to Rocket's portfolio.

À bientôt

Chris

@chrism108 - yes, it is quite amazing and I was surprised how big the differences in quality and customisability in AI can be - huge differences, really!

I just encountered the inevitable (?) paywall demand from Langua. I already subscribe to a number of language packages, so reverted to using Duck AI.  It lacks the voice benefits of Langua, but is free and as far as I can determine, unlimited.

Langua has a subscription model and there are two options. There's a limited one that is a bit cheaper and is limited to a certain amount of interactions which last for about 30 minutes of practice a day and a unlimited one which costs more (like 10 € more/month). 

Since I found it so amazing, I payed for the unlimited plan for a year. :-)
It's a perfect compliment to my rocket french 

@ChrisM108 
The thing is, that with the help of Laugua, for now, I don't get stuck and/or frustrated in grammar lessons anymore, cause I can ask it any question and practice that afterwards. I think, you can ask the grammar questions that you have to any good AI and I also asked chatgpt lots of questions before I discovered Langua. 

I will definately use the conversational practice more soon, since that is the keyfeature, I think.

But it's been really helpfull with overcoming my frustrations with the grammar. It doesn't feel like a chore anymore, but can actually be fun. ;-)

I will check out Duck AI 

Thanks, @ArminZ.  It might just be me, but I find myself out of my depth at the moment when AI converses in French.  (I'm on lesson 4.4). I read French at A2 using Readlang (recommended product) with no problem, but conversing is a whole different thing.

At what level of French did you start feeling comfortable conversing?

Chris

I think AI is a touch-and-go convo… I'm a senior in high school and it's everywhere It is uncomfortable and unreliable in some circumstances, and can access everything whether you want it to or not... not like you asked my thoughts or anything… but I do agree that it CAN and COULD help with learning... I mean look at learning centers today, they use AI constantly…. but it's overrated and so overused that COLLEGES are checking student “written” work for AI…

Again, you didn't ask for my thoughts, but I (here's that word again..) thought I would just throw that out there…

God Bless,

   Riley

Your thoughts are very welcome, Riley.  It's early days for AI, and I've witnessed many examples of people not thinking of how to compose a business case, a letter, a proposal, etc and rely on AI instead.  It's not a good trend for collective IQ, by nation, as trends were already declining according to research.

I have experienced the benefits of AI in language acquisition though. Some examples include: completely tailored responses to grammar queries; 24/7 access; a virtual exchange partner at a fraction of the cost of a personal tutor.  Re the latter: if (a big if) I was able to find the right exchange partner at a low cost, I'd opt for the personal contact any day.  After all, that's why most people learn extra languages.

Chris

@chris
I'm at level 14 right now and I guess that I could be able to get through the day in France, but I haven't had enough practice in producing my own sentenses and have a spontaneous conversation like that. That is one reason I got Langua - to get to a more conversational level. I see it as a preperation for real live experiences and like you said 24/7 access - I can practice conversations or grammar any time and very detailed. 

I've gotten in to so many nuances and details of the french language through questions, that arrised and that is so great, since french is so nuanced.

There are tons of AI Language learning tools out there, but as I said before: there are huuuge differences. 

Try some and see what's best.

Another aspect is, and that has never happened before, since I started with rocketfrench. I finished the grammar lessons in Modul 14 bevor the interactive audio lessons. I found grammar lessons quite annoying and frustrating at times, but with langua, they were actually kinda enjoyable. 

@riley
I totally agree - AI can be a curse and a blessing, depending on how it is used and what it is used for.

I'm usually quite sceptical about AI, but it helped me so much with the grammar and will hopefully make me more fluent and conversational as well - as a preperation before I can make a trip to france or get conversational online ;-)

@chris and @arminZ

I agree with both.. it's great, but is “crapping” on kids in today's world. Chris, your example was that some people today don't know how to do something so they turned to AI…. I know kids at my school who have AI right there speeches for Speech & Debate. I understand the upsides of AI, but the overall IQ of kids today is small.. Kids today turn to AI and don't really learn…. And I agree, AI today is new, but has been around (i think) since 2008-10…. 

Anyway, this is something I (maybe is to obvious) care about a lot. Thanks for taking the time to respond, and I hope y'all have a great day!

God Bless,

Riley