I asked ChatGPT for advice about how to learn a foreign language. (I teach and do research in the field.) In two tests, the responses were perfect. Here’s a video in which I narrate the second test:
Me: I’m thinking of starting to study a foreign language like Japanese or French. Do you have advice about how I should go about studying it?
ChatGPT: Learning a foreign language can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Set specific goals for why you want to learn the language and what you hope to achieve by studying it. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your studies.
Find a good textbook or online course that is tailored to your level and learning style. This will provide you with a structured way to learn the language and help you progress at a steady pace.
Practice speaking and listening to the language as much as possible. This can be challenging at first, but it is essential for developing your proficiency in the language. You can find language exchange partners or practice with friends who are also learning the language.
Immerse yourself in the language by listening to music, watching TV shows or movies, and reading books in the language. This will help you improve your comprehension and expand your vocabulary.
Be patient and persistent. Learning a foreign language takes time and effort, but with dedication and practice, you can achieve your goals.
Me: Thank you. That sounds like valuable advice. Do you have suggestions about what kinds of books I should read? Or how I should go about reading books in the foreign language? ...
I did a couple of more tests, one in English and one in Japanese, asking for advice about foreign travel from the point of view of a college-age person. The responses were very good in both cases, but the Japanese was more repetitive and a bit less coherent. The advice itself in both languages struck me as uniformly useful.
The conversation in Japanese ended after ChatGPT responded “Too many requests, please slow down.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ7RCVte4HY
Here’s the beginning of the transcript:
Me: I’m thinking of starting to study a foreign language like Japanese or French. Do you have advice about how I should go about studying it?
ChatGPT: Learning a foreign language can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Set specific goals for why you want to learn the language and what you hope to achieve by studying it. This will help you stay motivated and focused on your studies.
Find a good textbook or online course that is tailored to your level and learning style. This will provide you with a structured way to learn the language and help you progress at a steady pace.
Practice speaking and listening to the language as much as possible. This can be challenging at first, but it is essential for developing your proficiency in the language. You can find language exchange partners or practice with friends who are also learning the language.
Immerse yourself in the language by listening to music, watching TV shows or movies, and reading books in the language. This will help you improve your comprehension and expand your vocabulary.
Be patient and persistent. Learning a foreign language takes time and effort, but with dedication and practice, you can achieve your goals.
Me: Thank you. That sounds like valuable advice. Do you have suggestions about what kinds of books I should read? Or how I should go about reading books in the foreign language? ...