There are more than two billion English speakers throughout the world. While that number may seem high, there are still many people who don’t have access to learning English. Limited resources, lack of infrastructure, and time constraints can all restrict a person from having high-quality, on-demand opportunities to develop their English proficiency.

But in the digital world, new tools are empowering individuals to advance their English capabilities, and enjoy learning English in ways that are best suited to their context. One such tool is Generative AI (GenAI), which is a form of Artificial Intelligence that can generate text, images, videos, and other content. 

Here’s how Generative AI as a tool is breaking educational barriers: 

GenAI builds personalized learning pathways

Generative AI tools can shape tailored learning experiences for English students by delivering content that serves learners’ preferred education style. For example, GenAI collects data about learners’ current proficiency level, their interests, and the speed at which they absorb information. The technology can then generate content according to this data, and ensure that materials are optimized to support deeper, longer learning. This material could be writing prompts, vocabulary exercises, quizzes, listening activities, and more.

The diversity of content from GenAI is beneficial for English learners because it prevents monotony. Students have more options to generate content that resonates with them, and to experiment with new formats that evolve how they process information relating to the English language. It equally establishes a more inclusive landscape as people who have disabilities like visual or hearing impairments can access content that caters to them.

As students progress through content, GenAI monitors students’ strengths and weaknesses, and can provide additional practices and explanations where necessary. Likewise, it can give feedback on written assignments that is tailored to people’s learning style, meaning they are more likely to remember corrections and advance their English.

GenAI can simulate conversations in English too. With this functionality, users can have a dialogue with the technology, enjoying more interactive learning around a topic, and at a pace that matches their needs. Not to mention, these simulations bridge important gaps for students who can’t practice speaking English with others in person or who struggle with anxiety when talking in another language.

Read more about how AI is changing education. 

GenAI is an affordable tutoring service

Tutoring has long been one of the most effective ways to learn English. However, the cost of group or individual tutoring means many people cannot use the service. GenAI, though, is more affordable and easier to utilize as an on-demand tool.

Generative AI tools can automate the production of resources for students, so they don’t have to spend more money for materials. GenAI is also available 24/7, enabling students to ask questions, get feedback, and additional guidance without having to pay for excess hourly support. On top of that, GenAI can handle routine administrative tasks, so if a student is working with the technology and a human tutor, the tutor has more time to concentrate on other English learning priorities. That means more time for one-on-one language learning, and more value for money.

For people who live in underserved education areas, GenAI supplies English language learning without a large price tag. Its tutoring abilities can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, so students don’t have to pay large sums to travel to English schools or to receive online classes. In this sense, GenAI can ensure that more people, from all backgrounds, can start their journey toward fluency in English.

The majority of GenAI tools have scalable pricing tier plans, which let students select functionality and costs that correspond to their budget and needs. And, because GenAI is constantly evolving, it becomes more aligned with the user’s goals and preferences as they dedicate more time and actions to learn English. The result is a consistent, top quality, digital English tutor.

Read more about how AI tutors can help learners. 

Generative AI tools bring innovation to language learning

GenAI is complex but it has a clear positive impact on how people learn English. Part of the sophistication of GenAI is that it can analyze large datasets to form accurate language models. These models can predict and suggest the next word or phrase in a sentence, assisting learners as they construct grammatically correct sentences with a wider range of vocabulary.

Elsewhere, its speech recognition can detect the native language of learners and give them useful feedback to improve pronunciation and intonation, and avoid making common mistakes. These tips help learners to refine their speaking skills and sound more natural in English.

What’s more, GenAI can generate content that includes informal expressions in English, so students learn how to speak in real-life exchanges. The interactive nature of GenAI conversations also means that learners can determine the scenarios in which they want to practice English, and put their more casual vocabulary into action.

ELSA Voice as a GenAI Tool

ELSA Voice incorporates GenAI to deliver a back-and-forth conversation in English with learners. The app allows users to select the context (conducting an interview, buying a coffee, meeting with a friend, or a custom encounter) and asks questions that would typically arise in it. Users speak directly into the app, have discussions in real time, and get detailed feedback – all leading to greater confidence and better English proficiency.

GenAI makes sense in an increasingly digital education sphere. Not only is the technology accessible, inclusive, and produces strong outcomes for English learners, it also prepares students for the future of learning. Tech like GenAI will power the next generation of learners, and those who know how to use it, apply it, and grow with it now, will have an advantage in education and beyond.

Keep your finger on the pulse of English language learning.