AI English learning craze among young people in Japan: ChatG

According to the annual report released by Duolingo on the 26th and a survey on language learning in Japan, young people in Japan are accelerating their adoption of artificial intelligence tools to learn English. The usage rate of ChatGPT has surged by 80% within a year, becoming a "phenomenal tool" in the field of language learning.

The usage rate of AI tools has skyrocketed, with nearly 30% of the young population

The survey covered 4700 language learners across Japan (80% of whom were beginners), and the results showed that 10.9% of respondents chose to use ChatGPT, an increase of nearly 1.8 times compared to 6.1% last year. This trend is particularly evident among young people: 27.8% of 15-19 year olds and 15.0% of those around 20 years old have attempted to learn language through conversational AI (such as ChatGPT, Bing), surpassing face-to-face courses or broadcasting as an emerging option.

Duolingo analysis points out that the improvement of time efficiency awareness is the main driving force behind this change. Learners generally believe that AI tools provide flexibility such as "24-hour availability" and "free questioning", and are "easier compared to real conversations". 58.9% of users agree that it has "high flexibility", 52.1% value "always available", and 28.8% indicate "reducing tension".

Traditional tools still dominate the mainstream, and AI's shortcomings need to be overcome

Despite the rise of AI tools, applications (58.3%), video services (37%), and textbooks (35.6%) remain the main choices for Japanese learners. However, the "mechanical interaction" (30.0%) and "accuracy concerns" (25.6%) of AI tools were listed as the biggest pain points. In addition, 23.2% of users admitted to having difficulty building effective prompts, while 23.0% questioned whether it was suitable for their own learning methods.

This contradiction reflects the dual needs of learners: they crave the authenticity of human interaction and pursue the flexibility of self-directed learning. Duolingo suggests that in the future, it is necessary to balance the advantages and limitations of AI tools by optimizing algorithms and providing guided learning frameworks.

Japan maintains its position as the "most eager country to learn" English language for the second time in a row, with a stable position

The report shows that Japan will return to the top of the "Most Enthusiastic Learning Countries" among its neighboring countries in 2024 and continue to maintain the title of "Most Enthusiastic English Learning Countries". Worldwide, Japanese consistently ranks fifth among the most popular languages (with English, Spanish, French, and German being the top four), while Chinese ranks eighth. The number of countries learning English through Duolingo has increased to 135, a year-on-year growth of over 10%.

However, only 10% of Japanese respondents have confidence in their English proficiency, but about one-third (33.3%) hold a positive attitude towards language learning, particularly among young people. Experts point out that the popularization of AI tools may provide a new path to break the dilemma of "low confidence and high enthusiasm".

Future prospects: Integration of AI and traditional models

With the iteration of AI technology, its role in language learning may further deepen. Duolingo stated that it will explore the integration mode of AI and real teachers, such as generating personalized learning content through AI and then having teachers provide targeted guidance. This trend may not only reshape the language education market, but also provide more efficient and flexible solutions for young Japanese people to improve their English proficiency.