Is learning English still necessary in the AI ​​era?

Thanks to AI technology, there are many and will be more and more direct translation applications that help users translate any language into their native language with very low latency. So is it still necessary to learn English in particular and foreign languages ​​in general?

Mr. Huynh Chi Vien - Founder & CEO of BHV English, a person who has taught English for nearly 20 years and can use English and Chinese fluently (both Mandarin and Cantonese) believes that learning foreign languages ​​is always necessary in any era for the following reasons:

1. Learning a foreign language makes the brain's thinking ability become sharper and more logical because in the process of learning a new language, neurons are continuously created to link the second language with the mother tongue, and the memory of the foreign language learner will also be activated regularly to remember new vocabulary. The process of switching languages ​​(code switching) regularly will make the mind more flexible and help reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly.

2. Learning a foreign language helps to practice patience and discipline because in order to be able to use a language fluently, learners need to constantly make efforts to get used to a new language that is completely different in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and even writing. In an era where people rarely spend more than 30 seconds reading or watching a piece of information, learning a foreign language is a good way to overcome haste and superficiality.

3. A fluent foreign language user is much more confident than a person who does not know a foreign language and must always rely on an interpreter, or now AI tools to support translation in all situations of work communication, business, travel , and making friends with foreigners. At this time, career advancement opportunities that require going on business trips abroad or contacting international partners are only for people who are good at foreign languages. In situations where there are no support tools and it is inconvenient to use translation applications, people who do not know a foreign language will lose confidence and become completely helpless, unable to do anything.

4. In competitive opportunities to study abroad, work or settle abroad, people who are fluent in foreign languages ​​will absolutely win in study abroad opportunities compared to those who do not know foreign languages ​​and have to use AI for support. Not only that, people who are good at foreign languages ​​also have a faster and more effective integration speed into local life because they have a deeper understanding of culture, art, music , movies... in the original language.

Because of the above benefits, no matter how much AI develops, learning and using foreign languages ​​fluently will always be necessary and cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence.

Huynh Chi Vien (Founder & CEO of BHV English)

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viec-hoc-tieng-anh-trong-thoi-dai-ai-lieu-co-con-can-thiet-2415670.html