#babbel

[chibimochii]

Finally...

They need this update. These two on the right ESPECIALLY...pls let it only be the beginning... the others also need it...(i want dilucs massive messy ponytail, i want albedos.. well I want him to look like is art. And itto,MUScleS AND FANGS,MAKEHIMBIGGER

[emeraldspiral]

Been wanting to learn a new language for a while now . I know Duolingo is trash since they fired most of their staff and replaced them with shitty AI and it seems like that's most language apps nowadays. Does anybody know of one that doesn't use AI, or if not an app then an online course?

[maeberzatto]

hey! did you know that duolingo is turning into an ai-driven company? here's what that means: per the USA Today article posted yesterday on this: "Duolingo is going to be "AI-first", the educational technology company announced, adding that it is replacing contract workers with artificial intelligence."

now yes. duolingo has used ai in the past. in 2024, the Duolingo Guides page reported that their AI uses user data to improve models. however, this did not literally replace human beings in the process.

according to their CEO, they believe this is going to be an example of how "generative AI can directly benefit our learners". despite the fact this doesn't benefit the human contractors you're replacing in place of robots.

here's why supporting AI is problematic: not only does it take away from human beings, but it also is bad for the environment. studies have shown that particularly during the training of complex models, the infrastructure needed to do this training results in high energy consumption.

this also leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions and puts a strain on water resources that are used for cooling data censors. as well, studies show that the manufacturing and disposal of AI hardware contribute to electronic waste and resource depletion.

so, below the cut, there's a list below of language learning apps that do what duolingo does but aren't driven by robots! (and no, you do not have to stop using duolingo. these other apps are simply ones that provide the same services while taking care of both the environment and - as far as i know - human employees.)

Mango Languages (4.8 stars on the Apple App Store) - this app has had really great reviews from people, citing that you can get free access by using your library card (so it supports libraries!) and teaches actual pronunciation whereas duo has been reported for not being accurate with its teachings.

Babbel (4.7 stars on the Apple App Store) - people have rated this app as being easy to use and convenient! they also report that they are backed by researchers at Yale University and Michigan State University, with MSU reporting that after 10 hours, researchers found that 96% of users saw better test scores and 73% became better speakers!

Lingvist (4.6 stars on the Apple App Store) - reviews cite this as a practical app, with one person saying it focuses on repetition and frequently spoken words instead of nouns and verbs you'd rarely use.

any other suggestions in my inbox will be included in this list. stop supporting "AI-first" companies, support human beings.

[nashstudies]

Newcomer

In my language learning journey, which started with French long ago, I've found myself, like many others, being drawn to learning through gamification. People love Duolingo for this reason and I've used it for years myself. I did some reading up on it though and decided to try Babbel this time around.

ANYWAY, in my information superhighway travels, I came across Newcomer! It's an RPG that has translation and vocab building aspects. It unlocks words and phrases as you level up. You have a phrasebook for quick reference and a whole host of questions and statements to click through to interact with the NPCs. It's not like "game of the year" but it is entertaining enough to hold my attention. I don't even typically like RPGs so...give it a shot. It's $10 on Steam.

Bravo.

[beforeiread-studies2]

Babbel put me in the A1.2 level for German, a bit of a bummer after I studied German for two years at UNIVERSITY.

In my opinion, my comprehension must be at a B1 level but it's true that my output is barely at A2 and I know 0 grammar. So it's alright to start again from the basics. I've done 3 units so far and I am already learning new stuff so it was needed.

But considering my goal for this year is to pass Goethe B2 it was a wake up call lol.

There are a total of 51 units across all the levels I want to take (plus more) so if I keep at it I should be able to finish the app by March. And then maybe I'll feel ready to study grammar with the book I paid money for and brought all the way to Germany but we'll see. I'll consider Babbel a warm up :)

Shout out to @neristudy for reminding that this app exists and is very useful.

[neristudy]

I seriously just love learning with Babbel. It adds so much diversity to the images - I've talked before about how there are often interracial couples in the images, and today in the lesson I noticed that Babbel teaches love in different, subtle ways, and about manifestations of the concept of “we”.

That yes, “we” are a hetero elderly couple. But we're also two women and their unborn baby and two young guys.

And then,

... Babbel. Ouch.

(The text reads "I want to see you", and with the fact that the person is quite elderly, and its the old photo of a person next to a wedding band... q.q)

[redinkquill]

Babbel Continues

Babbel never stopped

The curse continues to this day

It’s in all the miscommunications

In everything we say

Our intent is not accurately conveyed

Always on different pages

Even when reading the same book

It’s communication in different stages

It’s different perspectives when you look

Imagine if everything you said or wrote

Always ended with others in the same boat

It’s not like that at all in this world

Every little word is twirled

It’s all the little mistakes that add up

To prevent us from making towers to the sky

Although that is a bit of a lie

Because that tower breached Heaven

Ever since, every sentence added a question

[spicyseal]

Learning that Duolingo has fired human translators and is using ai for translation just days after choosing to purchase Babbel instead of using Duolingo has made me feel like a prophet (I’m learning Spanish btw, it’s about time your girl does, she’s Latina after all)