What are the dangers of relying on chatbots for conversational practice?

Practicing conversations with AI-based Chatbots is a conscious attempt to remember language patterns. We have two major long-term memory categories: explicit and implicit. The response speed of explicit memory (Conscious) is slow since it requires a conscious effort to search and recall information. Implicit Memory (Subconscious) operates outside of conscious awareness. The response speed?is extremely fast and automatic. Any advice on learning a foreign language must start by explaining the?differences between explicit and implicit memory.

Natural Language Acquisition?mirrors how we learn our first language—implicitly through immersion, interaction, and subconscious absorption of patterns. Our ingrained linguistic habits operate below conscious awareness. This is why we can speak our native language fluently without actively thinking about grammar rules or pronunciation, and it explains why our conscious attempts to remember language patterns are ineffective.

Speaking allows you to use what you have learned and activate passive vocabulary. However, acquiring new vocabulary and achieving fluency requires a multi-sensory approach, as well as using implicit memory?to internalize language patterns and develop the ability to speak automatically.

The prominent linguist Stephen Krashen famously stated, "Speaking per se does not cause language acquisition but is a result of it, a result of obtaining comprehensible input.”

Here are some arguments and evidence supporting Krashen's claim that speaking does not directly cause language learning:

·???????? Focus on Form Can Hinder Fluency: Overemphasizing speaking and explicit grammar correction can create anxiety and hinder fluency. Learners may become hesitant to speak for fear of making mistakes.

·???????? Different Cognitive Processes: Children's brains are wired for implicit learning, readily absorbing language patterns from their environment. Adults, on the other hand, often rely on explicit learning. Years of formal education have conditioned them to believe that conscious study and rule memorization are the keys to mastery. This misconception hinders their progress in language acquisition.

·???????? Adults have another barrier that is hard to overcome: the "tyranny of the mother tongue," a concept introduced by Norman Doidge. This refers to the ingrained influence of our native language, which can significantly interfere with acquiring a new one. As Doidge explains, a lifetime of established linguistic habits?deeply embedded in our neural pathways can be challenging to overcome. This "tyranny" can impact pronunciation, grammar, and even the perception of new sounds, making it difficult to truly internalize a new language, especially when explicitly learning a foreign language.

·??????“Tyranny of the mother tongue” causes cross-translation problems since adults subconsciously translate all incoming information into the native language to digest it. Cross-translation is a slow process, so?beginners can produce the target language at a speed of?about 30-40 words per minute. To internalize language patterns of the target language, adults need a tool that will automatically turn off cross-translation. The patented method of subconscious training is the tool that activates System 1 of the?subconscious mind and eliminates cross-translation automatically.

·???????? Duolingo is investing heavily in AI-powered tools to enhance communication practice within its app. While it has not launched a standalone product solely focused on communication, these new features within Duolingo Max and Adventures represent its latest efforts in this direction. Duolingo, the most prominent language portal in the world, has a tremendous impact on learners' intentions and expectations.

·???????? Proponents of conversations with chatbots refer to Duolingo as proof of their effectiveness in learning a foreign language. As discussed in this article: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/aiwat_while-duolingo-has-revolutionized-language-activity-7245093919066062849-NJ-z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop, Duolingo is a monument to the era of explicit conscious learning. It is not surprising that Duolingo invests in tools using conversations with chatbots.

·???????? While speaking may seem like active engagement in the learning process, it falls short. It focuses narrowly on one aspect of language acquisition and relies solely on explicit memory. This approach is inefficient because the conscious mind is slow, prone to forgetting, and incapable of internalizing the language patterns necessary for fluent, automatic conversation.

The excellent news is that adults?can activate subconscious System 1 in their minds and overcome the tendency to learn consciously. This approach of implicit, subconscious training offers several key benefits:

• Enhanced retention: Engaging implicit memory promotes long-term retention without relying on rote memorization.
• Elimination of cross-translation: Learners are immersed in the target language, encouraging them to think directly about it?and eliminating the need for mental translation.
• Stress-free learning: The method utilizes implicit, subconscious training, creating a low-pressure environment.
• Whole-brain engagement: Visual and auditory components activate both brain hemispheres, maximizing learning potential.
• Improved fluency: Simultaneous listening, reading, and speaking cultivate natural fluency and pronunciation.
• Personalized learning: Learners create materials according to their level and interests and receive implicit feedback to motivate their learning experience.
• Accessibility and convenience: Designed for web apps and mobile devices, learning can happen anytime, anywhere.

This method offers a unique and effective path to language acquisition, promoting lasting retention, fluency, and an enjoyable learning experience.