Effective uses for AI

Open Forum
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Sometimes I find that AI isn’t all that much help in language learning. However, I have found it helpful to have Perplexity.ai do a few things:

1 - explain certain topics to me in between sessions with teachers. It’s far more efficient than a web search.

2 - find things like “Russian verbs of motion” in a large PDF.

3 - pose questions to it in my target language and read its responses. That’s been useful and fun.

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I find it tremendously useful myself:

  1. Provide it a link with my native language. Have it translate it to target language.
  2. Have it simplify something…Can you make this article A1 level content.
  3. Can you summarize this article in my target language.
  4. Can you create a dialogue around based on this article.
  5. Can you give important vocabulary for this article and some useful sentences I can use when talking about this theme.
  6. Take this list of vocabulary and create a spreadsheet with the word, indicate if verb, noun, etc, gender, column for my native translation, create an example sentence that illustrates the meaning of the word, the english translation of that sentence. Provide for the top 3 or 4 meanings of each word.
  7. Here’s a question “Where are you today?”. Provide me in my target languages useful answers to this…the most common, phrases people actually use. Oh and I’m going to X location so maybe they have different phrases that are commonly used vs. X.
  8. Give me some language island vocabulary and sentences on this them - Travel, Restaurant, Work, etc.
  9. Can you help me with the Goethe B1 writing section with examples (themes, letter writing, etc.)
  10. How do you use this word in a sentence?
  11. Explain this sentences grammar.
  12. Converse back and forth with it.

There’s endless possibilities in my mind. YMMV depending on the language but I’ve had good success with German, Spanish, and trying to speed learn Norwegian for an upcoming trip (although probably won’t be super useful as everyone knows English, but it’s fun!)

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@ericb100 are you talking in general or for Perplexity?

@vernmartin Do you have the Premium version? I had Perplexity time ago but I use ChatGPT Plus, YT and Atlas. Never felt the need to go further with Perplexity.

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@davideroccato

I’m speaking generally (specifically I use chatgpt mostly with language learning). I have no idea what Perplexity is to be honest =). OP had mentioned “AI” in general initially and seemed to indicate Perplexity was his choice of AI tool. I took his statement as having not found, in general, that AI tools were usefully in language learning (for him), other than 3 cases. So I was just providing some ways in which I use it. Possibly some ideas that OP hadn’t thought of or at least provide the general public with some ideas of how they could use it.

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I’ve been using the current version of ChatGPT for close to three years. I’m a curious fellow so my chats cover a lot of ground, but they have certainly included learning French from the beginning.

At first most of my prompts were elementary “Break down […]” when I was new to French and easily confused. Then my prompts became more specific to grammar constructions and idioms.

Now my prompts are at a higher-level of why do the French say it this way or why does a French translator (from English) make such-and-such a choice.

From there I often get into a freeform conversations about French as it connects to history, culture, English and America. Which is interesting and fun and contributes to my immersion in French.

I think of ChatGPT more as a tutor than a tool.

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I don’t pay for Perplexity, and I’m not promoting it. It just happens to be the one I like most of the time. I use others occasionally.

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I meant to speak in general about the use of ai as well. I have used several. Perplexity.ai is my personal favorite for most things, but when I find the answer it gives me inadequate, I turn to Gemini or NotebookLM. My wife uses ChatGPT exclusively.

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Sounds interesting. What exactly are you referring to?

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If the person is above 40, English ability is hit or miss in my experience. So it’s good to have the basics available. “where is the toilet?” “is X near here?” etc.

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One of the first ones I learned =)

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Nowadays, with online maps and apps, you can ask AI even on your own language where the toilet is. :joy: And people do it. They ask their phones rather than anyone on the street, in my experience.

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For instance, while reading Simenon’s Maigret books, about the adventures of a French police detective, I’ll ask Chat about French slang in that world and compare it with corresponding American slang. From there, on to the differences between Maigret and American characters like Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade, as well as the influences involved.

The French were definitely influenced by the American noir style. Jean-Pierre Melville directed some great noir films like “Le Samourai” and " Bob le flambeur." I recommend those to anyone interested in French film or film noir.

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In Norway you should also learn the fact that there is no free toilet (restroom)unlike USA . Everything is digitalized. Be ready to use card everywhere even for toilet in a shopping mall.

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Thanks for the tip asad100101. I’m well versed in the no free toilets from other European countries. I assume you get a free pee at restaurants though (that you’ve eaten at)? If it’s digitized, all the better. Rummaging around for change is the annoying part.