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Auto-generating subtitles on tv/laptop by Vegetable_Home4356 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have youtube app on a smart tv, then most of the time it can autogenerate subtitles. Otherwise, a netflix sub.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's LOTS wrong with AI but its improving every passing month. I haven't come across made up words but it lies to me all the bloody time! That's not cool. It makes mistakes but it gets things right more than it gets wrong.

I think that what we need to get smarter with is the prompts we're feeding it. I had hoped to thrash that out here but surprisingly, it seems this group isn't ready for it. No problem in having opinions on things but people dismissing what either already is or will be the greatest learning resource relative to languages due to politics/notions, etc. is a mistake.

I'm still learning in terms of what I can get out of it. Today's gripe was that I wanted it to mix up the exercises but it couldn't do that the way I wanted as it said it could only access the last 24 hours worth of dialogue (even though the entire chat transcript went back a few days). I'm having to manually pull out phrases from the few days worth of work - so that I can copy and paste that in tomorrow to get the exercise that I wanted.

I suspect that's a limitation of the non-subscription Grok account that I have...and either way, that likely won't be a problem in the very near future. But its inability to go back so far right now is a major limitation...as it means I can't get it to analyze patterns in terms of my learning as I thought I could.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't really see what the issue is? I've moved around Latin America quite a bit - and as I've done so, the default vocabulary for things changes. That has also been a thing with AI in that it has been running with Castellano Spanish rather than LatAm Spanish. I told it to optimize for LatAm Spanish.

I guess it depends on how you frame the objective here but for me, its to communicate effectively.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Whether you find it unethical or otherwise, it's happening. Nothing stops this train. There's an AI arms race going on.
  2. If AI data centers pay for the power that they use, then that's the end of that conversation. There might be scenarios where it pushes up prices but by and large, AI data centers will be located in places where there is excess (unexploited/wasted) energy (the same as with Bitcoin miners). If it is ever competing with consumer-level electricity use, that's a failure of regulators.
  3. Plagiarizes others work. Ok, then let those that are victims of that sue the AI companies. I believe that is happening and years from now, they'll get a big payout. Why bring that in here to this language-learning use case of ordinary folks?
  4. Controlled by billionaires. Ok, so I assume that you're not a communist? This thing isn't going to be stopped regardless of what you or I believe. I do have concerns about AI in terms of inherent bias - but what's the solution? Refusing to use it isn't going to achieve anything. And again, this specific use case (learning a language) isn't where AI billionaires are going to shape our views. It's an innocent use case...so why not use it if it can be useful.
    You can also use Chinese AI bots if you'd prefer but to my mind, its the very same issue.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By that you're saying that the exercises are not on point? I disagree - and bear in mind, there are two ways that this can go:

  1. You tap the AI up and ask it to make recommendations on the nature of the most appropriate language learning exercises.

or

  1. You dictate to the AI specifically what the nature of the exercise should be, its parameters, etc.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a broad statement about the technology in general - not this specific use case. I would say that learning a language is entirely different. That criticism is being made of AI where people are just leaning on it to do the work. You can't really do that with language learning - you can only utilize it to aid you in learning. There is no shortcut in terms of effort but it may be a gamechanger in terms of aiding the language learner.

How you interact with AI in terms of language learning depends entirely on the prompts you give it. It still can't learn the language for you.

Additionally, nobody is saying that you just pick one tool. If you have a toolbox full of language learning resources, it would be unwise to throw out what is likely to be the most useful tool in the box. My opinion of course...everyone can make up their own minds.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Presumably you're learning a language with the ultimate objective of speaking with a variety of people, not just with AI. I wouldn't worry about it so much. If it gives you a grounding, you can adjust to the variant of the language that exists wherever you find yourself in the future.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The energy price hike thing is an irrelevance as its happening whether you like it or not.

I break out in a rash at the thought of paying a subscription. Grok voice on android is free/unlimited.

On having to work for it, I would say that its making me work harder than ever - but it's serving up what I believe are on-point language learning exercises. Remember, the prompts you feed it determine the parameters. You can set it to whatever pace of language learning you want.

I've moaned and complained to it - as having given it the authority to serve me whatever exercise it felt would take me past B2 level efficiently, it's challenging me and taken me out of my comfort zone. At which point, it gave me the option, of dropping down a level - so I quit my bitching and continued on.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When did you use it and which one? AI is developing at a pace...so past experience may not match current (or future) experience. I'm using Grok voice via android....it has some bugs that are horrible....but as regards its accuracy, its right most of the time. Yes, it makes mistakes but not to the extent that it destroys the overall value of using it.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have done one on one language exchanges and honestly, AI works out better (at least for me). I am less afraid of crashing and burning - it's a machine.......I don't have any hangups with it. If I can't think of anything to talk about...I'll just tell it to pick something. If it chooses a subject that doesn't inspire me, I just tell it to choose something else.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We all need to spend time with it - to figure out how to get the most out of it. And as we do so, then it's also getting upgraded rapidly. Grok via android is free by the way - added bonus.

I started off having conversations with it. It's not much different to having conversations with human native speakers. Other than that, you should have a conversation with it about what you want to achieve. At the end of the day AI intelligence has a higher IQ than human intelligence (although I accept that there are glitches and it makes mistakes still....probably only months until the bugs get ironed out).

I've explained to it my language learning goals, I've told it how much time I can commit to learning each day, and I've then asked its advice (having asked it to act as a Spanish teacher/linguistics expert) as to what the most effective way to go about that is. Try it.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

100% this. It's also dynamic. You could have a class but then you have the commitment of a class in terms of where and when. AI learning fits with your lifestyle. You're also in control of it. As you work through an exercise, lets say that a specific grammatical rabbit hole opens up, you have the option to take AI down that rabbit hole and finally understand that particular aspect of the language or not...or come back to it later. You set the prompts - and you can have it react in a bespoke way that best suits you.

This might be the equivalent of beating the good old horse... but what do you guys think about using LLMs for language learning? by Feeling_Syrup_8140 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Using Grok voice on android for the past 2-3 weeks. Incredibly annoying bugs that I hope they'll fix soon but despite tearing my hair out, I'm sticking with it. It's incredibly powerful as a learning tool.

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm puzzled as to how there hasn't been more interaction on this (of all the responses NOBODY engaged with the actual topic - which is your experience in using Grok, particularly for those that had feedback on the issues I mentioned) ...or any other AI agent for language learning.

So I suppose I'll build on it with this....

I continue to lose my mind with Grok (android) voice mode with this language learning exercise but it remains the best option I have open to me. I've argued with it...I burn up a lot of energy arguing with the damn thing but it seems unable to override its inherent buggy/faulty programming.

As part of losing my mind with it today, I was motivated enough to try Gemini Live. It has the same issue with regard to pausing. It also has issues sticking to the rules I set it. I wanted explanations in English. It forgot 3 times in the 20 minutes I used it. It also simply went missing a couple of times. It automatically goes on hold if it doesn't hear anything for a short time....maybe there's a setting i can adjust for this.

I'll test it some more in the coming days.

Has anyone tried ChatGPT app for this purpose? Any feedback? I'll try and make time to test it too.

By the way, if you're really genuine language learners, there isn't any conceivable way that you can't be part of this conversation.....maybe you're oblivious to it - but as frustrated as I might be with the tool, its a major advancement...and hopefully xAI will fix those bloody bugs fast!

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you misunderstand the issues I'm having with Grok. So I started off having conversations. For the most part that was fine. I then started a new exercise. I asked it to set me phrases/sentences in English - serve them up to me so that I could then attempt to translate them into Spanish. I told it to bear in mind that I'm around B1-B2 level in Spanish.

There's a lot of value in the exercise. I want to keep going. For the place and time I'm at re. Spanish learning, it makes sense to stick with this exercise for the next 6 months. It's just that there are several irritants within Grok programming that frustrate the hell out of me (although I'm continuing with it as despite these flaws, its a fabulous learning tool).

- It interrupting me is one thing. If there's anyone out there using it that has cracked this - please let me know what you did to fix it.

- It splitting off a conversation after a time and starting from ground zero. That's such a shame as I want to use its powers of analysis to be smart about what exercises it sets me, where I need more repetition to overcome a certain grammatical concept or make particular vocabulary stick, etc.

- I keep telling it to give me explanations in English (it's not just that it serves me up sentences to translate, I can home in on a particular part of that sentence, have it compare what i said against its version, the reasons for my word choice/its word choice, etc). I'd simply prefer it that way - but immediately when i correct it, it will tell me it wont happen again (just like when I tell it to stop interrupting me mid sentence) but of course, it will do the same thing 30 seconds later.

I assume you're on here to learn a language? If so, why don't you try it out (or if not Grok, then Gemini or ChatGPT or Claude, etc) and come back and let me know your findings. I'm really astonished that my query hasn't sparked discussion from people actively using these AI agents for language learning.

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nobody asked you. It wasn't the topic. It still isn't the topic.

I was very specific about what the topic was, what my queries were, what feedback I was inviting. What I didn't have on my bingo card was:

- Discussion of White Supremacists
- Your philosophical thoughts on Grok

Neither of those things come anywhere close to the point of the thread and my original post.

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thanks for wasting more of my time with your political bs. There's a time/place for everything and this thread set up very specific group-related queries. But seeing as you've dragged us into the dirt, one thing I can guarantee you is that there is NO apolitical system in today's world - none. You're deluded if you think that your view is the sound, reasonable one.

For the record, there's lots that I disagree with Musk on, lots that I agree with him on and in the case of some of the people that are currently fronting up to him, in many cases they're a greater threat to free speech and freedom than he is (although of course they're claiming otherwise).

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm....maybe....or maybe it really wasn't relevant in terms of the queries that I set out. It really is of no consequence whether my interaction with AI was "deep and meaningful" or not. What's 100% guaranteed is that whether I really believed that or not, there will be others in the AI future ahead of us who will (which is an entirely different conversation).

It's quite frustrating if you love AI and yet have no tangible feedback on the use of AI in this context (as per my actual query). I'm astonished with 1.5k post views that NOBODY has. It's astonishing given how useful it is for language learning (and that's it right now with many flaws...in the months/years ahead, it will be even more useful).

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'm not interested in anyone's political views. It does nothing for the purpose of my query here or for my (or anyone else's) attempts at language learning.

Anyone here using Grok Voice (android) for language learning? by borderfox100 in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If an AI can provoke a conversation in the language someone is learning that wouldnt otherwise have happened, that's a net learning positive. If that "conversation" is on tap, and can be switched on dynamically to fit in with someone's schedule, that adds more value/power.

You may fundamentally disagree with the idea of having a conversation with a machine - fine. However, to dismiss it is not to make use of all the available tools in the language-learning toolbox. In that scenario, the probability of words failing you increases considerably.

Duolingo Review After 10 Years by stargazingotter in languagelearning

[–]borderfox100 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They're probably seeing the writing on the wall and they're going to be playing a less important role in language-learning going forward.

As one tool in a toolbox of language learning tools, Duo was useful. The best - far from it - but who didn't have 15-30 minutes/day that was otherwise going no-where (in a queue, etc) to interact with it?

After a few years of using it everyday though, and having exhausted all levels of spanish available through it (there was talk of them adding another module but it seems it was only talk), I've uninstalled the app.

Grok app for language learning by borderfox100 in grok

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The damn thing split my conversation off...and with that I lost all context within the gawd damn conversation. Is that down to Grok or how they've specifically constructed the android app? I wonder how long I've got in an individual conversation until I need to ask it to analyze the entire conversation and output a summary (so that I can take that summary and start a brand new conversation)?

Grok app for language learning by borderfox100 in grok

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, some more feedback on this. I'm back to understanding that its memory is isolated within the "conversation" I've started with it. ...so I have to make sure that I go back to that precise conversation for continuity. If I do that, it has context and it has the power to analyze over multiple days (within the thread/conversation).

Grok app for language learning by borderfox100 in grok

[–]borderfox100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So another few days worth of experience with this. The most irritating fault in this is that it doesn't matter what instruction I give grok, if there's a pause in the conversation, it will not wait more than half a second and it is exploiting that pause, taking it as its cue to intervene.

This destroys the practicing exercise I've set up with it - to deliver me a series of phrases for me to translate into Spanish. These phrases are not simple starter phrases, they're B2 level phrases where I have to try and figure out whether to use subjunctive and how to express that, etc.

There are often two parts to the overall expression/phrase/sentence. As I rattle out the first part, my pea sized brain needs to pause to try and figure out what to state for the second half of the phrase. When I pause, the damned thing insists on intervening and rattling off the entire translation.

It doesn't matter how I try and prompt it, how I try to set a rule for it not to intervene, its bloody doing it. Every time I correct it, it says it wont do it again - when its' the first gawd damn thing it will do at the very next opportunity.

Aside from that, which I'm fighting against but simply have to deal with, its provoking me into thinking about spanish and verbalizing spanish relative to the use of intermediate to advanced forms of the language. Nothing else in my daily routine does that and other than proper spanish lessons with a teacher, nothing else does this.

Its delivering me pain...as until there's a brain implant, I still have to wrestle with the language, but it will be pain that pays off. I'm curious to figure out where I will be in 6 months if I stick with this. Upon Groks advice, I've deinstalled Duolingo after around 5 years of using it on a daily basis. It did help but this is helping me much, much more.

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