This is the top-trending article in the Japan Times today. It’s a must read!
Source: AI robot touted as future English-learning tool for Japanese kids | The Japan Times
The article claims that Japan has long been criticized for its low-level of English, but children could soon become more proficient in the language just by chit-chatting with an artificially intelligent robot.
It looks like this is the end of the road for young English-speaking travellers trying to earn a crust teaching English in Japan and China.
Over the years, I have spent a lot of time trying to learn foreign languages both traditionally with tutors and over the internet. Whilst I recognize that there is a place for AI and robotics to replace the mechanistic part of language training, I think there will always be a place for expert teachers.
Thoughts?