Why you should NOT learn English with AI 🚫

The Problem with AI Language Partners

Learning English through AI chat partners or AI apps might seem like a good idea. After all, they advertise that you can practice at any time, right? In reality, there are serious problems with using AI to learn English. Many students are turning to AI language apps, thinking they’ll improve faster, but the reality is quite different.

Let’s look at why human content, especially videos of real conversations, is far superior for learning English.

Natural Speech Patterns Matter

When real people talk, they:

• pause and hesitate (“um”, “uh”, “like”, “you know”)
• speak at different speeds (sometimes fast, sometimes slow)
• use incomplete sentences (“Going to the store. Need anything?”)
• make small mistakes and correct themselves (“I went… I mean, I was going…”)
• use natural body language (hand gestures, facial expressions)
• overlap and interrupt each other naturally
• react to unexpected comments or questions

For example, in a real conversation, you might hear:

“So I was like… um… you know, trying to figure out what to do, and then - oh wait, sorry, let me start over…”

AI cannot truly copy these natural patterns. It speaks too perfectly, too smoothly. This creates an unrealistic model for learners. AI responses are often too polished:

“I was attempting to determine the appropriate course of action, and subsequently…”

This kind of artificial perfection doesn’t prepare you for real-world English.

Context Is Everything

Real humans use English differently in different situations. A conversation between friends sounds very different from a job interview. AI often misses these subtle differences in:

• tone (friendly, formal, worried, excited)
• formality level (casual vs professional language)
• cultural references (TV shows, sports, current events)
• slang and idioms (“hit the hay”, “piece of cake”)
• regional variations (British vs American vs Australian English)

Consider these different ways to say goodbye:

• To a friend: “See ya later!” or “Take care!”
• In a business email: “Best regards” or “Kind regards”
• After a meeting: “Have a good one” or “Catch you next time”
• To family: “Love you, bye!” or “Talk soon!”

AI tends to use one-size-fits-all responses that don’t capture these nuances.

The Social Element

Language learning works best when it connects to real human experiences. When you watch real people talking:

• you see genuine reactions and emotions (surprise, confusion, joy)
• you understand how culture affects language
• you learn natural gestures and expressions
• you hear authentic accents and pronunciations
• you observe natural conversation flow
• you see someone moving around in real environment

Real conversation example:

Person A: “You’ll never guess what happened at work today!”

Person B: [leaning forward, interested] “Oh my god, what?”

Person A: “So, I’m sitting there, right? And then…”

This kind of natural interaction teaches you:

• How to show interest
• When to respond
• What facial expressions to use
• How to keep a conversation going

Why Real Videos Work Better

Videos of real conversations offer:

1. Authentic language use

   • Natural speech patterns
   • Real-world vocabulary
   • Genuine mistakes and corrections

2. Real-world context

   • Different situations (home, work, school)
   • Various relationships (friends, colleagues, family)
   • Cultural elements

3. Natural speech rhythm

   • Speed changes
   • Natural pauses
   • Emphasis on important words

4. True cultural exchange

   • Local customs
   • Common expressions
   • Cultural references

5. Genuine communication problems and solutions

   • Misunderstandings and clarifications
   • Asking for repetition
   • Natural repair strategies

The Risk of Bad Habits

Learning with AI can lead to:

• unnatural speaking patterns (“Speaking like a textbook”)
• robotic responses (too formal or too perfect)
• missing important social cues (extremely important)
• poor understanding of real-world English
• inability to handle natural conversation speed
• difficulty with different accents
• problems with informal language

Common AI-induced problems:

1. Over-formal speech in casual situations
2. Inability to use contractions naturally
3. Missing cultural context
4. Difficulty with idioms and slang
5. Poor understanding of humor and sarcasm

What You Should Do Instead

Focus on these resources:

• YouTube videos of real conversations

  • Vlogs
  • Street interviews
  • Reality TV shows
  • Cooking shows
  • Travel videos

• TV shows and movies

  • Sitcoms
  • Documentaries
  • Talk shows
  • News programs
  • Reality shows

• Podcast interviews

  • Conversation-style podcasts
  • Interview shows
  • Discussion panels
  • Story-telling podcasts

• Real English learning channels

  • Teachers explaining real-life situations
  • Cultural explanation videos
  • Pronunciation guides with real examples

• Language exchange with real people

  • Conversation partners
  • Language meetups
  • Online language exchange
  • Study groups

Practical Steps to Get Started

1. Find YouTube channels with real English conversations
2. Watch TV shows with subtitles
3. Join language exchange websites
4. Listen to conversational podcasts
5. Practice with native speakers
6. Record yourself speaking

Conclusion

While AI tools might seem helpful, they can’t replace the richness of human communication. Real English happens between real people. To truly learn the language, you need to see and hear how native speakers actually use it.

The complexity and beauty of human language comes from its imperfections and variations. By learning from real people, you’ll develop natural speaking abilities that work in the real world, not just with AI.

Remember: Language is human. Keep your learning human too.