This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Approximately 30% of U.S. adults who were learning a language in 2025 reported that they were using artificial intelligence as a resource. People can use AI-powered chatbots, like ChatGPT and Gemini, to practice conversations in other languages, ask what an unfamiliar phrase means or get feedback on their writing.
These apps and websites also offer voice features for speaking and listening in another language. But can someone learn a language with a chatbot alone? Research suggests that these tools can help learners build language skills, but there isn't evidence that strictly using these apps is enough to become fluent in another language.
That said, they can still offer a helping hand. Learning another language involves understanding what you hear and read, as well as knowing how to express yourself verbally and in writing. I study how chatbots can help someone practice these four skills in different ways.
What learners can gain from chatbots depends on how they use them. First, people can use the voice features in chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini to role-play conversations and practice speaking about different topics. People can practice for a job interview by answering questions about their experience, asking for feedback and trying different ways of expressing an unfamiliar phrase.
Research suggests that practicing speaking with chatbots can help language learners become more fluent and accurate. People can repeat a conversation and try again after receiving feedback from the chatbot, giving them time and perhaps the confidence to work on unfamiliar expressions and recurring mistakes. Speaking another language can be stressful, especially when people worry about making mistakes in front of someone else.
Some language learners report finding chatbot conversations less intimidating than interactions with people and feeling they can experiment without worrying about being judged. Not being self-conscious may make people more willing to speak and keep practicing after they make a mistake. Chatbots can also support people as they draft a sentence or a paragraph in another language and offer them feedback and revisions.
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