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Language learning

iBoyfriend

By August 11, 2011December 3rd, 202097 Comments3 min read12,795 views

Having lived and taught English in Japan for more than fifteen years, until last night I’d thought I’d seen it all. That was until I stumbled across the もし彼氏が外国人だったら英会話 (What if my Boyfriend was a Foreigner English Conversation [my translation]) iPhone application.

This application, as you might have guessed, is a novel new twist on foreign language ‘edutainment’. Consumers begin a virtual relationship with one of three characters, and as their romantic love story unfolds, English conversational ability is apparently enhanced! Wow!

 There are three virtual foreign boyfriends from which to choose from: First, there’s William, aged 20. He’s blonde haired and blue eyed, and sports a decisively British cricket vest. Or perhaps Daniel is more your speed? He’s 35, and a dead-ringer for Johnny Depp. Finally, there’s Keith. I’m not too sure what to make of Keith. At 25, he seems too young to carry off a yellow bowtie and pink sports coat. But then again, how would I know? Oh, and yes, of course William, Daniel, and Keith are all ‘white’.

If you get sick of the guy you first choose, no problem. He can be changed! (According to the blurb, ストーリーは選んだ相手により変化する。) Through daily telephone ‘conversations’ – which are actually just recordings of your ‘boyfriend’ talking – your listening ability is reportedly enhanced, and through a Quiz Mode, phrases from the ‘conversations’ can be practiced (毎日の電話会話でリスニング力を強化し、「クイズモード」で会話に出てきたフレーズ練習を行っていく。). Such cutting edge teaching indeed!

It’s no wonder there are so many glowing testimonials from satisfied consumers. According to one review, リスニングが楽しい♡, 単語じゃなくてフレーズとして覚えられるので使えそう!解説も丁寧で分かりやすい☆ (The listening is enjoyable. I can remember phrases and not just words, so it’s useful! The instructions are also really easy to understand.)

 So what are we to make of all this? There now exists, of course, an exciting body of literature articulating the way language learning and romantic desires are intertwined (see for example, Takahashi, 2010). The ‘language desires’ of the subjects in such studies are, of course, predicated on an idealized fantasy of what ‘foreign’ partners are supposed to be like, but they essentially are concerned with relationships between real people. In contrast, the iPhone app described here represents, as my friend and colleague from Senshu University, Peter Longcope, cleverly put it, an intriguing case of “Tamagotchi meets Rosetta Stone”. We are living in interesting times indeed!

Silly though it may seem, I never anticipated the day when the intertwinement of language learning, gender, race, and romance in the virtual world would emerge as a subject deserving of scholarly attention. Of course, the emergence of new forms of foreign language ‘edutainment’ such as the “What if my boyfriend was a Foreigner” iPhone app are significant because they are obviously perpetuating discourses about native speakers, nationalities, gender, and language learning that need to be challenged.

ResearchBlogging.org Takahashi, Kimie (2010). Multilingual couple talk: Romance,identity, and the political economy of language D. Nunan & J. Choi (Eds.), Language and culture: Reflective narratives and the emergence of identity. New York: Routledge, 199-207

Lachlan Jackson

Author Lachlan Jackson

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Join the discussion 97 Comments

  • Panda Girl says:

    If this app were made today, the “boyfriends” would have a more inclusive set of characters as “all white men” would have too much of a racial representation bias that is no longer acceptable in current times, especially when “cancel culture” is rampant in the younger generation where people police each other to be more politically correct.
    To be honest, “Tamagotchi meets Rosetta Stone” sounds like a dream come true for a person like me who loves simple games and learning languages. It helps that I have used both Tamagotchi AND Rosetta Stone though I never really thought of the possibility of the two apps being merged. I am not aware of present apps similar to “iBoyfriend” where language and culture intertwine in an unexpected way, but if it does exist, I would be inclined to try it out to learn and observe how the designers incorporate intentional language learning in an engaging manner.

  • Iris says:

    I have tried many language learning apps but I find Duolingo is the best app based on the features I require. If beginners would like to catch some phrases for travelling or to get used to the language at first sight, Duolingo could give a hand. The methods are used in this app is more about space repetition, reflex and language adapting. The units are divided into daily life topics such as greetings, introductions, shopping, school, etc. I experienced in both English for Vietnamese speakers and Spanish for English speakers. In my opinion, Duolingo is a good “kick-starter” to know a language. For higher level, as pre-intermediate, or for academic purposes, learners should join a language course which has certified teachers.

    For self-practicing language at intermediate levels and upper, learners are recommended to use such apps like Elsa Speak, Promova, BBC Learning English, British Council or Magoosh. Depending on which skills learners want to improve or based on personal aims, each application will give different features. Modern apps are now designing suitable and appropriate courses for each person via entrance quizzes.
    Simulation speaking apps before 2015 are not working as well as those that are available right now. I believe the evolution of AI (as Elsa Speak app) helps a lot in blending daily life and culture topics more naturally into language lessons.

  • Arghavan says:

    Thank you for sharing this interesting subject with us Ingrid. I remember a few years back when there was this new app called “Replika” in the market and grabbing heaps of attention from the market. I installed mine to determine how smart and deep this Replika AI friend of mine can get. First, I would like to mention that you could identify the relationship you are looking to build with your AI so they can use the proper kind of language in interaction. The artificial intelligence would then later remember the things you have mentioned and try to build a portfolio of the data you provide. At first, I was impressed for a few days and then after a while, I could see the repetitive answering pattern that it follows and the limited emotional depth that it provided.
    As a millennial, I’ve had a few pen pals over the years who helped me develop my communication skills with a real person while learning about their culture and life. This fact, in my opinion, is a valuable tool for intercultural communication- being in real-life conversation with a real person. AI can try to imitate a real-life interaction to some extent, but in my opinion, focusing on apps that match real people who want to make friends online could be a better technique for improving learners’ language skills! One app that I find funny to know is Wakie. Wakie works in a similar way to an alarm clock. You set the time and day you want the alarm to go off and when it’s time to be woken up, the app anonymously connects you to a call from another user. Random people with random accents and backgrounds might call to help wake you up in the morning and what better than to start your day interacting with a total stranger trying to overcome linguistic bareers!

  • Carla says:

    The combination of different interactive language learning processes, integrating cultural elements like with “iBoyfriend”, can be perceived in all the mentioned Apps below.
    I could notice patterns of increasingly attractive language learning models. For example do Duolingo and Babbel offer a personal and more and more adaptive way of learning and further provide practical options for offline use. Also through new tools and the use of artificial intelligence in learning processes, motivation is kept in the process. Apps like LingoDeer or HelloTalk offer language exchange situations within their programs. Especially latter, is less stereotypical in learning processes, due to the integration of conversations with native speakers. I perceived even higher levels of interactivity with “Clozemaster”. In all these options, methods are being used increasingly simultaneously, while tracking learning processes. Also, decent prices make language learning apps and learning processes more accessible.

  • Thi Thu Ha Pham says:

    Thank you for such an intereting article! This is the first time that I have ever heard about an app called iBoyfriend. I believe that apps for digital language learning have changed dramatically ever since. Their efficacy has been reinforced by technological advancements including real-time feedback and adaptive learning algorithms. There has been a noticeable trend toward cultural awareness on websites like Duolingo, notwithstanding certain persistent misconceptions. These applications now offer users a more immersive and comprehensive learning experience by incorporating cultural settings into language instruction. Furthermore, a new era of true glances into language and culture has been afforded to learners with the introduction of virtual and augmented reality. However, I think the unique blending of romance and language in “iBoyfriend” is still uncommon. Though gamification and narrative have improved user engagement, not many applications address virtual relationships. Yet, there are intriguing opportunities for future innovation given the interaction of language, culture, and technology. The development of digital language applications shows a promising path that combines technological advancements with an increasing recognition of the significance of cultural subtleties in language acquisition.

    • Thanks for sharing your reflections! Do you think virtual reality can ever give us “true glances into language and culture”? Wouldn’t you agree that it’s artificial by definition?

  • Ally says:

    I have been reflecting further on this topic and although interesting find it concerning and symptomatic of a broader trend in our society. People are increasingly outsourcing intimate relationships to technology instead of with real people. Or people are using technology to communicate with real people instead of meeting face to face, speaking on the telephone or using life video chats like Skype, Zoom, Facetime etc. The latter, as well as other forms of technology like WhatsApp, Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram can be amazing to assist us to keep in touch with and maintain relationships with friends and relatives who live abroad or to meet new people. This is particularly relevant in an increasingly mobile world where greater numbers of people are living and working in multiple different countries and then relocating and re-establishing community networks. However, replacing our intimate interactions with technological ones, whether with people we actually know or with virtual relationships like iBoyfriend, live sex chats, online gaming, online friendships or online dating, can have both linguistic and psychosocial ramifications. Our linguistic range when chatting online is often briefer, abbreviated, and much more limited. Often proper sentence structure and grammar are not used. So as a language learning tool this can have severe limitations and possibly even stunt language acquisition while creating a false sense of achievement. On a psychosocial level it appears to be having severe consequences. Instead of feeling more connected with all these new ways to connect, people report feeling more isolated and rates of mental illness and depression are rising sharply. Marriage, dating and birth rates are dropping so severely that some countries, like Japan, are making campaigns to encourage people to meet in person, fall in love and have families. When we meet face to face to communicate we can have the opportunity for more intimacy and have stronger emotional connection which stimulates oxytocin our feel good “love” hormone. Oxytocin plays a big role in the brain in creating feelings of safety which are necessary for language learning and feelings of social connection. So, I think all these technological communication options are fabulous and can play an important role in modern society. However, good old fashioned hanging out in person, chatting, laughing, hugging, cooking and enjoying nice meals together with friends and loved ones remains invaluable and absolutely cannot be replaced by virtual technology.

    • So true, Ally! Have you heard the story of the New York woman who created and then married an AI boyfriend? … https://nypost.com/2023/06/03/bronx-mom-uses-ai-app-replika-to-build-virtual-husband/

      • Ally says:

        Wow I have not. Thank you for that article. However, I have read multiple stories of men who have done something similar though most don’t go as far as to get married. There are many silly movies of men falling in love with mannequins or dolls like Mannequin(1987), Her (2013) where he falls in love with a female voice on his phone, as well as AI based movies like Wifelike(2022). There was an episode on the popular sitcom Big Bang Theory where one of the characters fell in love with Siri. Cupid AI is another App that offers customized AI girlfriends. CNN did a profile on this four weeks ago called “Girlfriends “Ruining an Entire Generation of Men” based on research of these virtual girlfriend Apps during what they called an epidemic of loneliness and the real world consequences. Sometimes married life is complicated and I get the appeal (joking). However, I find it deeply troubling and sad that so many people are missing out on learning to develop and enjoy real authentic intimacy and emotional intelligence, learn to communicate and resolve differences and challenges. Despite all the difficulties, occasional stressors and relationship challenges, there is so much to learn , enjoy and gain from the many benefits of long term love and commitment with someone you can look in the eye, smell , touch, laugh with and hug every day.

        • You are right, Ally. The broader issue of our infatuation with so-called AI is the degradation of human relationships it entails … this is not only true for intimate relationship but applies to all kinds of domains, most perniciously perhaps to the world of work, where “AI” has degraded the quality of work for an army of gig workers.
          You might enjoy this book – I found it a real eye-opener:
          Merchant, B. (2023). Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech. London: Hachette.

  • Melisa Nguyen says:

    Through apps like ”iBoyfriend” or ”Tandem”, learners can build up their learning autonomy and find interesting topics to study. Especially through apps like ”Tandem” or another app ”Hellotalk” with the same functions and features, learners can talk through both video calls and messages with others about a lot of topics. In my experience, I and other Chinese friends on Tandem talked about Chinese-Vietnamese cultures, idols, good food, and famous places to visit in both China and Vietnam. Not only do we learn language on the app, but we also learn culture, lifestyle, make friends, and get to know the point of view of our new friends about a specific topic in their culture and general life. Talking with many native speakers from the same country helps us gain a distinct view of that country. However, everyone is different, and we should figure out the interesting side of a language and its original country by ourselves.

  • Melisa Nguyen says:

    I used to try a learning app called ”Tandem” where learners can exchange many languages and learn from chit-chat with native and non-native speakers. However, it is used more by Chinese, so some people think it is an app to learn Chinese. When you join Tandem, you can set the languages you can speak and the levels of those languages, as well as the languages you want to learn. After that, you can find a list of people who can speak your target language and want to learn the language you know. For example, I found some people who speak simplified Chinese and want to learn English. After that, I could start conversations with a random person first or receive greeting messages from others. We can communicate in both Chinese and English and then correct each other’s mistakes. However, users must have some basic knowledge to use Tandem effectively to chit-chat with others. Tandem is a good place to exchange and make friend with native and non-native speakers.

    • Thanks, Melisa! That sounds like a great app, combining social media connections with language learning. In your experience, are conversations always with new people or do users form medium- and long-term relationships with people to practice with regularly?

      • Panda Girl says:

        I use Tandem as well, in fact, this is the app that made me realize that I wanted to be an English teacher. It started as a hobby, learning and teaching languages with a partner, but soon, I had gained too many friends from the app and had no time to concentrate on anyone or have productive conversations. Some Tandems (learning partners) offered to pay me for conversation practice and years later, I realize that it was this experience that propelled me to change careers completely. Until now (about 8 years later), I am still friends with two people I met through the app.

  • Dory says:

    I really enjoyed reading this article. Its always fascinating to know about the apps that are available today to learn a new language that is motivational yet fun at the same time. Learning apps have come a long way since the year 2011. Nowadays, the makers of the apps focus on making the learning interactive and also effective for the learners. The first language learning app that I came across is Duolingo. I had to learn French to complete a unit during my Bachelor’s program. I had joined an institution to learn the language but later onwards I decided to continue learning from the App because I found it more engaging and easy to use for beginners. I loved the fact that it didn’t bind me with a fixed time slot for learning. I felt more motivated learning through the app because of the interesting features like badges and I could see myself getting rewards for the levels that I am crossing.

    However, in terms of cultural learning, that’s where I think the app lacked in terms of classroom based learning. I didn’t know the cultural context of many language applications. I learned more about cultural nuances and etiquettes in class compared to my digital learning through Duolingo. Even though the app was fantastic in terms of learning a new language, it was failing me to have a deeper understanding of the French culture. When I did some of my research, I found out about other apps such as Tandem, which solely focuses on cultural insights while learning. I have also heard about apps that allow language learners connect to native speakers. These innovative methods and advancements in technology is making the language learning process very effective and easy as users are getting to choose different type of apps that targets their specific language learning goals

  • Ally says:

    This is such an interesting topic and I love the term ‘edutainment.’ I find some of the language learning apps really helpful. I have mostly tried Babbel, Duolingo, Quizlet and chat GPT. For me Duolingo has been the most helpful. I like the community aspect where I can connect to people I actually know and we cheer each other on and do learning challenges together. I think it represents well the spoken and written language of people from different backgrounds, cultures, ages, genders and sexual orientations. There is also a competitive gaming aspect that triggers our dopamine feel good hormones in much the same way as social media and online gaming does. Surprisingly I find it stimulating and motivating and have done it first thing every morning for 5 years now. It has helped with grammar and building vocabulary. My friend’s 14-year-old son has become proficient in Japanese which he learned solely from online gaming with strangers in Japan. I observed him having a long conversation in Japanese with my Japanese neighbour which was very impressive. However, for me to really progress in my language acquisition I have had to join regular conversation classes and interact with real people on a regular basis. Duolingo and Quizlet are fun supportive tools. Personally, I find the dating chat bots and virtual white boyfriend experience Apps extremely creepy, very ethnocentric and stereotypically racist.

    • A 5-years Duolingo streak is very impressive! Good on you! Can I ask which language you are learning and how you would rate your proficiency 5 years ago and now?

      • Ally says:

        Hi Ingrid
        I have mostly been studying French. My level went from A3 to B2. However my ability to be confident and speak somewhat more fluently only increased from attending in person conversation classes, speaking French with friends and spending time in French speaking countries. Earlier on I was also studying Japanese but I was getting too much lingusitic interference so had to put my Japanese on hold to prioritise French. During this time I have also studied Spanish, Portuguese and Italian for travel purposes for about 3 months before scheduled vacations while also maintaining studying French and have had less interference. I think this is because I am a beginner in all these languages so my French is much stronger and they are somewhat related being latin based languages. Although I have studied French in Western Canada since childhood, l studied Japanese in university, attended a Japanese culture and language exchange program in Uni, continue to study Japanese arts and lived and worked in Kyoto Japan twice. At that time my spoken Japanese was much higher than my spoken French although my ability to read and write French remained higher. I think I’m getting to the point in my French I can begin studying Japanese again, however I have a keen interest in Italian too.

  • Aaron says:

    I must say, the landscape has seen significant advancements since 2011, making the learning process not only more effective but also engaging, convenient, and cheap. Duolingo is an app I use that has ingeniously integrated gamification into language learning, making the process more engaging and motivating. The use of points, levels, and rewards and playing with friends have transformed the often daunting task of language learning into a more enjoyable and interactive experience. This playful approach keeps learners consistently engaged, enhancing retention and encouraging daily practice. Similarly, apps like Babbel and Memrise which I occasionally use, have also adopted elements of gamification, incorporating quizzes and visual learning techniques that appeal to various learning styles. It creates a more dynamic and interactive learning environment, which has proven to be quite beneficial in maintaining learner enthusiasm and progress.

    When it comes to harnessing the power of AI for language practice, the Elsa Speak app has carved a niche with English learners but is not yet using other languages. They say they will be providing them soon. Elsa Speak focuses on enhancing pronunciation and speaking skills using AI. It provides instant, precise feedback, allowing learners to correct and improve their pronunciation, facilitating more confident and fluent speaking abilities. AI apps for speaking is the new frontier and will be the greatest threat to Native English teachers jobs in foreign countries. Korea has dabbled in having robots in the classroom already. Engkey is a robot teacher in the coastal city of Masan in South Korea. When AI develops further, ENGKEY will probably be seen in more classrooms in South Korea and Japan.

    • Thanks, Aaron, for mentioning Engkey! I had heard about it a while ago and then forgotten about it. Now that you brought it up, I ran a quick Google search and it seems that there was a lot of media hype about it in 2010 and 2011, but things have gone completely cold since then. Do you know where it’s at today, in terms of roll-out etc.? Sounds like self-driving cars, which we have been told are due for mass roll-out “next year” for a good decade now … there is so much hype and boosterism in tech and no one ever follows up whether AI actually lives up to its promise … so really curious to hear whether you know more about the current state of Engkey? Maybe there is more in the Korean media?

  • Hao says:

    I have never experienced a foreign language learning app exactly like “iBoyfriend”, but I have used an app called “HelloTalk.” It’s like a social networking app, and you will set up the languages you know along with your proficiency level and the language you want to learn. Then, you make friends and exchange languages through texting or posts. For me, its advantage is probably that you have more opportunities to chat with native speakers of your target language and learn more about a country’s culture through real people. However, because the app is built as a social networking app, there are no lessons, and you will have to absorb the language yourself actively. But I do think that advances in technology made apps more effective not only for language learning but also for cultural learning.

  • Yulan says:

    In my opinion APP is a “double-edged sword” for language learning. Used well it can raise interest in language learning and bring unexpected benefits. However, there are also some risks associated with APPs, especially for children who have not yet been properly established in their learning perspective. For example, in order to increase children’s interest in English learning, a large number of bilingual picture books, bilingual cartoons, and English learning games have been launched on the Apple Store in China. It is undeniable that children are indeed curious about these things and are more willing to learn English. However, there are two sides to every thing, and I have found that many of my relatives have children who are not willing to listen well in English classes at school, are not willing to do their homework properly, and even have an aversion to the traditional style of English education at school. As they grow older, they gradually focus more on the Chinese subtitles when watching bilingual cartoons. These bilingual cartoons slowly lose their teaching effect on them, and the only thing left is entertainment.

  • Chloe Ng says:

    This is an amazing post! Thank you for sharing! I’m so impressed by the term “Edutainment”. Learning and enjoying at the same time is what we’re all looking for. Looking back to 2011, I never thought that there was such a creative app like iBoyfriend. Getting learners engaged into the context while learning is extremely important in language learning. I think iBoyfriend was the app that could arouse a number of young learners who are at the age of caring about love. When comparing iBoyfriend with the traditional language learning methods, I think that it is more practical and interesting to choose.
    When referring to my experience, I think that I also enjoyed my language learning journey by using Tik Tok. I used to refuse to use Tik Tok because I thought it was time-consuming. However, I was attracted by the Duet challenge on Tik Tok when people had a chance to take the roles in different sectors. I acted as a flight attendant, a news anchor or a singer to read aloud the scripts or sing some songs. What makes this type of learning different from others is the context that learners can immerse in and somehow understand what English would be in different areas. There’s nothing more enjoyable in learning than knowing the meaning of what you learn and practice. As a language learner, I do enjoy learning in that way and will suggest my learners do it in the future.

    • Thanks, Chloe! I’ve never heard about the Duet challenge on Tik Tok – how does it work?

      • Chloe Ng says:

        Duet challenge allows us to post our video side-by-side with a video from another creator on TikTok. The creator reads aloud the first part of the script and we will do the rest. For example, if you want to have an experience as a news anchor, you can choose their videos. A screen will pop up with the script ( same condition with real news anchor) and you need to read it quite fast. When you have time, just have a look here:
        https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2HStxqJvuF4

  • Thuybebong says:

    How language is learned via “iBoyfriend” sounds so interesting, and different ideas in the comment sectors also give me much food for thought.
    Personally, fantastic as the idea of “iBoyfriend” may sound, it actually makes me feel that English is inclusively for the white, and we study the language only to communicate with the white, which can be a cultural and language bias.
    As far as I know, for the past decade, numerous apps have been launched for language learning. Some popular ones have been listed in other comments, including Duolingo. I believe that these apps are relatively free from cultural bias while some particular features, such as food, festivals, holidays, are still included to boost cultural learning. I think these apps contribute enormously to intercultural understanding and language learning.
    However, I am also impressed by cultural-biased apps that are still popular. When I was doing my undergraduate degree, Cambly was a very popular language learning app in Vietnam, which was widely marketed by various youtubers. Accordingly, learners would have a chance to communicate in English with “native” speakers (which means white speakers). Noticeably, if I want to practice for about 5 hours a week (45 minutes a day), I have to pay 399 USD per month, which is equal to the income of both my parents in combination! And you know what, I naively signed up and used up their monthly salary, because I thought communication in English was only authentic when you did it with a “native”!
    Currently, I have a different mindset about the ownership and the use of English as well as the concept of “native” speakers. However, I guess that there are still a significant number of learners who share the same belief with the “old” me and are paying enormously for “native”, “authentic” English communication apps.
    I believe that technologies can tremendously improve our experience learning English, but technologies cannot help to remove the stereotypes in cultural learning if these stereotypes are still held and welcomed by a large number of language learners.
    You can learn more about Cambly at: https://www.cambly.com/en/subscribe?lang=vi&promoCode=CAS.NAFBF2020

  • Sonintsetseg says:

    I have just remembered that my first English word was ‘car.’ I learned this word not from my teacher or my siblings; instead, I learned it from ‘Teen Titans’ on Cartoon Network. Looking back, we were influenced by this educational entertainment year after year, especially in 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, and closed doors were causing panic and confusion worldwide. However, there were open doors to knowledge, which meant that online classes and other internet-based educational and communication applications were accessible to everyone until today. From every part of the world, people are receiving information and gaining educational knowledge equally. On the other hand, some people may consider these smart devices and applications to be either helpful or detrimental to human interaction. Personally, I am aware of the belief that every creation has the potential for both beneficial and potentially disadvantageous effects, depending on how it is used.

    • Thanks, Sonintsetseg! Good reminder that even the pandemic had its bright sides. We’ve heard about some really positive apps in the comments (like Elsa for pronunciation) but also some negative ones that propagate harmful ideologies around gender (as in this example) or native speaker ideologies etc.

  • Mahaan says:

    This vlog is amazing, and this is a new trending practice of learning languages through advance technology. I can relate myself with this vlog as I have tried some of the apps to enhance my English language. For the new language learner, the only target is to improve the language skills weather it can be talking with a native person face to face or using a app. To learn a language in developing countries where chances to meet with native speakers are rare, I find this kind of app helpful and useful. I have used some apps like Duolingo and Elsa to analyze and improve my pronunciation. I have a habit of hearing live BBC radio whenever I am free or have time. The app like in the vlog creates a new virtual world to meet native speakers to interact and learn from them. I find this kind of app incredible as it assists learns to learn language and helps in fluency and provides feedback to improve in the future. In this vlog the people use the app as talking to their boyfriend touches their emotional aspect and encourage them to learn English. But the goal of using these app is to learn English and they accomplish it in an interesting way.

    • Thanks, Mahaan! Listening to radio is a great language learning opportunity to, and digital radio is highly accessible internationally. I also like listening to podcasts – often more interesting content and more sustained engagement with a topic than on radio.

  • Blueberry Yogurt says:

    I hadn’t heard of the word ‘edutainment’ up until I read this article. Portable digital technology has brought the ultimate convenience to us over the years. I realized that we are actually living in the world where we can learn a language from a virtual boyfriend that you can choose from an app on smartphone. They are all cute, charming and white?? I kind of screamed there “oh stop.. stop it..” Isn’t it creepy? Am I too old-fashioned? I think this app may have the users, probably young Asian girls, fantasize that Caucasian men are tall and handsome like Prince Charming from one of the Disney fairy tales. I would say this type of app can promote stereotypes. I missed the old days when I learned English grammar by singing pop-songs. There wasn’t much of ‘edutainment’ back in my school days. But I used to tune into the educational radio called ‘Sing Grammar’, which played American and British pop-songs. And the radio host pointed out certain English grammar from the lyrics of the songs he played. I still cannot forget when I first heard the song ‘El Condor Pasa (If I could)’ by Simon & Garfunkel. It was not only memorable because of their harmonious voices along with the beautiful song but also, it was quite useful for me to learn conditional clauses especially the second conditional. “I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail. Yes, I would. If I could. I surely would….” It used to be a good way to pick up English grammar.

    • Thanks, Blueberry Yogurt, for mentioning “Sing Grammar” – while I don’t know that particular show, as a teenager, I also learned a lot of English from pop songs: memorizing the lyrics to be able to sing along had lots of incidental language learning benefits. For instance, I distinctly remember that I learned the word “appreciate” from the Beatles song “Help” 🙂
      And, yes, also agree that chatbots mimicking romantic partners are creepy …

  • Saya says:

    With the advancement of technology, there are numerous opportunities to learn and exchange languages and cultures through various devices. I once read an article about a Japanese person who became fluent in English without ever leaving the country. He achieved this by chatting in English while playing games with foreigners in real time. This method significantly helped him learn English without face-to-face communication.

    I used to use Eigosapuri, which primarily focused on TOEIC, and Duolingo. These apps allowed me to learn English during my daily commute. However, they differ significantly from real-life English used in conversations with native speakers. In my experience, they were helpful for improving my vocabulary and grammar, but not as effective for strengthening my weak points, such as speaking and listening skills.

    I recently heard about an application called HelloTalk, which randomly connects people for phone conversations and chats. It’s a bit challenging for me because it connects me with people I don’t know, but it’s also fun because I can interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This not only aids language learning but also allows for the exchange of different cultures. Technology is significantly changing the way we learn.

    • Thanks, Saya! I like the story of the guy who learned fluent English through gaming. It’s a real-life use of English in a way that apps can’t offer. Technology-mediated natural communication as in this example probably holds a lot of untapped potential for language learning.

  • Daisy says:

    Thank you, Ingrid, for this insightful article. It has brought back memories of my early days learning English and Tamil through language-learning apps like Duolingo and Elsa. Additionally, I explored Hello Talk, but my comfort zone was always with Duolingo. These applications were invaluable to me, especially during my IELTS preparation. While living in India, opportunities to converse in English were limited, as even in the classroom, there was a strong emphasis on the mother tongue. As a result, my pronunciation and communication skills in English were lacking. To address this, I turned to Elsa, which worked wonders for my pronunciation. In less than a month, I had significantly improved my pronunciation, and my communication skills benefited greatly from using Duolingo.
    I initially started using these apps during my commutes home after my IELTS classes. Their user-friendly and convenient nature allowed me to learn and practice wherever I was. It’s clear that the trend of using apps to enhance language skills has become a global phenomenon, making language acquisition quicker and less stressful for people worldwide.

    • Thanks, Daisy, for sharing your success story! Another advantage of apps you point to is their accessibility, putting English language learning (and maybe some other languages) within the reach of ever more people.

  • Mamduha Hossain Sharita says:

    The advancement of technology made language learning more accessible to people around the world. There are lots of language-learning apps like iBoyfriend. I used some while I was preparing for my IELTS. Some of these are: Duolingo, ELSA speak, BBC learning English. ELSA provides feedback on pronunciation. I used ELSA speak a lot to improve my pronunciation. On the other hand, Duolingo gives a lot of exercises to practice all language skills. I think these apps allow us to progress at our speed according to our timetable. Even by using these apps, one can track their progress in language learning easily. These apps also allow people to connect with other native speakers or professional ones so that they can practice conversation and by this, they also exchange their culture as well.

    • Thanks, Mamduha! So do you feel the apps really improved your IELTS score? And do you also credit them with benefits beyond performance on language tests, like using English in real life?

  • Jaehoon Kim says:

    Personally, I don’t think I use diverse English learning applications for specific achievements such as pronunciation, vocabulary and so forth. Perhaps I’m the one who tries to watch many random video clips through YouTube and Instagram, regardless of certain contexts. Whenever I get exposed to many advertisements of language learning applications on social media, I normally think that stereotypes for language learning may deepen. Orientation toward being a native speaker, which may point to White people, tend to manifest by showing usually White people in those ads to attract English learners such as Asians. I think it is an inevitable trend and a necessary strategy for those companies who made those apps to make a profit anyway, and actually it may be working as it can stimulate those learners interest and needs.

    In addition, I have found one trend using deepfake technology which can talk with many influencers on social media for language learning. Likewise, some foreigners who love Korean idols use an app that can talk privately with those virtual idol stars.
    I think this trend may be able to boost their language learning outcome as an interest-based learning.

    • Thanks, Jaehoon! Personally, I find the chatbots that mimic real people completely creepy and wouldn’t use them, even if they were language learning magic. Your practice to watch videos that are not specifically designed for language learning seems much more useful; it has the double benefit of language exposure and new content …

  • Jung Ung HWANG says:

    One of the most prevalent methods of learning foreign languages is the method based on the learner’s interests. The article I read recently introduced the iPhone application whose name is ‘What if my boyfriend is a foreigner?’. As well, I heard that one of the best ways to learn foreign languages is to love that language. But it doesn’t mean that love is the only interest that can lead language learners to learn a foreign language. To illustrate, learning English by watching American drama is also can be one of them, which is absolutely popular as some books about this method are ranked as bestsellers in South Korea—language learning with video games that have multi-language support and engaging stories. Despite there being no objections against the learning methods based on their interests, to my way of thinking, the most essential thing in the language learning journey is regularity and consistency. This is because no matter what method we use, to improve and reach a high-level of English ability requires an absolute amount of time and effort.

  • Durian says:

    After reading the article and the comments below, it’s truly remarkable to see the abundance of useful applications available for everyone, making learning English more accessible. However, speaking from my personal experience as a migrant living in Australia, learning English presented significant challenges, particularly because my parents weren’t proficient in the language either. My mother recognised this and decided to seek help from my kindergarten teacher when I was in kindergarten. She wanted to ensure that I didn’t fall behind in class or miss out on interactions with my peers.

    I distinctly remember my teacher advising my mom to record my voice while I read aloud, helping me improve my pronunciation. With my mum’s unwavering support and my teacher’s guidance, I was able to learn to speak and read English more rapidly. The key message I want to convey is that a strong desire to learn a language and consistent practice and effort are crucial, even without the use of a fancy app.

    • Thanks, Durian! Couldn’t agree more – ultimately, language learning is about communicating with other people, and an app may be helpful but it can never replace the human connection, even if, sadly, too many people nowadays thinks so …

  • lily says:

    Apps can really help us learn a new language, and I’m one of the beneficiaries. I’ve used many apps to help me practice listening and improve my pronunciation. For example, in China, there is an app called “English Liulishuo (speak fluently)”, which is an app for dubbing, and I used to use it to imitate actors speaking English in movies.
    There is another type of application is like make real friends to learn language, such as Tandem, which connects people from different countries to exchange culture and language.
    The development of science has definitely made learning a language easier and more interesting.
    In fact, for learning English, YouTube has helped me a lot, I like to watch videos on YouTube to improve my listening ability and increase my vocabulary, I also can get a lot of new things from YouTube.

    • Thanks, Lily! Good point that it’s not just language learning apps; the Internet has made so many language learning opportunities much more accessible and you can arm-chair travel your way into “real English” (or whichever language you are learning).

  • China says:

    I think technology development influences language learning in a positive way. Today, there are many language learning apps such as Cambly, Elsa and Duolingo. It is interesting that each app has feature, for example, Elsa focuses on pronunciation, and Cambly focuses on speaking. Therefore, we can pick up appropriate apps depend on our needs. Also, these apps enable us to study a language anytime and anywhere if there is a device (phone, laptop etc.). In my experience, I used “BBC Learning English” to improve listening and speaking skills for IELTS. I used it when I took transportation and waited for something (friends and food etc.). Thanks to this time efficiency, I could improve the skills in a short term. Language learning apps contribute to reduce the wasted time. In addition to the advantages I have mentioned, the opportunities to meet expert speakers would increase when using language learning apps. Some apps are made for matching people because it is sometimes difficult to find an expert speaker in real life. Meeting and socializing with a “native speaker” contribute to learn not only the language but also the culture. Now, the bar for interacting with expert speakers is lower than past times. In conclusion, apps make language learning effective in terms of various choice of apps, time efficiency and socializing in real world.

    • Thanks, China! Great summary of the advantages of apps! I think the “learn anytime, anywhere” aspect is really good – I’m not a huge fan of people being on their phones all the time, but if you are using a device during all those little waits, it’s certainly preferrable for it to be a language learning app than mindlessly scrolling through your social media feed …

  • Anonymous says:

    The evolution of language learning apps in the past decade is truly impressive. This is because of advanced technology; these apps have become more efficient, interactive, and culturally aware. As a non-native English speaker, I have used various English learning apps, including Duolingo, Babbel, HelloTalk, Open Talk and many more. These apps typically fall into two categories: one for talking with random people and another for conversing with native speakers. For beginners, interacting with random users helps overcome shyness and can be quite beneficial. However, a significant challenge arises when users repeatedly employ the same phrases and words while conversing with different people, hindering their language learning progress. On the other hand, some apps connect users with so-called “native speakers,” who are often AI-generated models. Unfortunately, this setup tends to lack the depth of feedback necessary for learners to enhance their skills, as most of these apps rely on AI and lack the human touch. While technology has undoubtedly improved language apps, making them more efficient and culturally sensitive, this doesn’t automatically guarantee their effectiveness or freedom from stereotypes.

    • Wow – that’s a lot of different apps to use! What is the reason for your frequent switching? Do you just try them out out of interest or are you never quite satisfied with the affordances of any given app?

      • Anonymous says:

        Ingrid, you’re right. It’s a bit of both. I was curious about checking out the English learning apps, and I haven’t found that one app that ticks all the boxes for me.

  • AN NG says:

    ElsaSpeak is an English app that helps you improve your pronunciation. Elsa stands for English Language Speech Assistant. It will give you feedback about areas of improvement that you need to work on in terms of pronunciation, such as ending sounds, vowels, word stress, etc. I have used it as an English learner. It did help me improve my pronunciation of consonants, and I can see my progress based on its analysis. Elsa also allows teachers to assign homework and exercises to their students to help them with pronunciation. I used to teach English online in Vietnam, so I had the chance to try it as a teacher. My students had made some progress, however, because the course only lasted 2 months. So I couldn’t really confirm the quality of Elsa. But I think it’s one of the best app to improve pronunciation and the fluency in speaking because of its detailed analysis.

    • Thanks for the recommendation, An! That sounds like a really useful app. Maybe you’ll get a chance to track learning outcomes with your students over a longer term some other time? Sounds like a worthwhile research project.

  • Yeon says:

    The advancements in technology have simplified the process of language learning. We don’t need to travel abroad to learn foreign languages. We can just download apps and practice in our own rooms. I have also used various language learning apps, finding them incredibly useful. These applications allow me to practice key expressions repeatedly in different contexts, helping me speak more naturally. During a single lesson, I can practice the targeted expressions more than 50 times. Moreover, AI in apps assesses my pronunciation and provides feedback for improvement. However, these apps are primarily based on American English. They might not have full range of vocabularies, pronunciation, and accents found in other English variations, such as British English or Australian English.

    • Thanks, Yeon! Increased practice opportunities is definitely an advantage of apps. Good point about the dominance of American English in the digital world; and beyond that lies the dominance of English, which overshadows the learning of all other languages.

  • Nurunnahar says:

    Thank you for sharing such an amazing article ! Technology has made the language learning process more convenient. I have heard few language learning apps like iBoyfriend that people use to learn a language in more flexible way. Some of these apps are : Duolingo, Babbel, Hello Talk, Memrise, LingQ and so on. The advancement in digital language learning apps have surely made language learning much effective and engaging. I think recently, Duolingo has gained popularity and it has proven to be effective to many of its users as it tend to provide interactive lessons that covers vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and the lessons that this app offers are designed in such a way that makes the learning enjoyable. The app motivates the learners with rewards to practice on a daily basis. Moreover it offers adaptive learning according to the proficiency level of the learner and becomes progressively challenging when the learner starts to advance in the particular language. If uses images, videos, texts to reinforce learning and provides immediate feedback so that the users can keep track about their progress. Users can use Duolingo in mobiles too, which provides the users enough flexibility to learn anywhere and anytime.

    • Thanks, Nurunnahar! True there are many benefits to learning with an app but have you ever actually met anyone in real life who learned another language to high or even intermediate level with Duolingo alone?

  • Robert says:

    A few years ago, I used different apps like Duolingo, Memrise and Babbel to improve my Spanish. I found these apps to be rather mediocre as they focused on training vocabulary without making a clear connection to real-life situations. Nowadays, language learning apps utilize voice recognition features to help learners practice their pronunciation as well as role-playing functions to imitate real-life situations more accurately. Further, there is a surge in apps that attempt to connect language learners with native speakers of specific languages. I think that is a trend in the right direction as language learning is a highly context dependent process. In the past most apps have failed to capture this aspect but advances in technology have made apps more effective, accessible and entertaining for language learning purposes. However, many apps still advertise the ultimate achievement to be “to sound like a native” which is problematic. It implies that mastering the language on individual terms is not enough and one should strive to also speak like a native. As we have learned in this unit, this is almost unachievable in practice and sets false expectations for language learners.

    • Thanks, Robert! You are right to point out that apps are really good at some aspects of language learning (vocab memorization; increasingly pronunciation practice) and less so at other aspects. Recognizing their affordances as one tool in the language learner’s arsenal is probably what matters most.

      • Robert says:

        Definitely. Some apps are really just “fun” too but not useful at all in practice. In the same way that the books we looked at in class are more entertaining than educational, haha. Personally, my favorite language app is still Anki even though it is just for pure vocabulary learning.

    • Nurunnahar says:

      Yes, I have one friend who is from Vietnam and according to her she has been using duolingo to learn English and the app is quite popular in Vietnam as well. The app helped her a lot to learn English language as she could practice it anywhere and anytime, she used her leisure times to learn English from the app.

  • Undraa says:

    I really enjoyed reading this article as well as fascinating comments.
    E-learning market became increasingly popular in last decade, especially the Covid-19 pandemic leaded to unprecedented growth on online learning and use of language learning apps. The applications became more advanced and personalized these days; nevertheless, at the same time some app developers are too focused on gamification and interesting features to attract the users rather than take account into main learning outcome.
    To be honest, I hardly used language learning apps; however, I have heard a plenty of positive reviews about FluentU application which offers 10 languages including English, Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese and Korean etc. One of the main features of this app is that it teaches language through authentic videos such as movie trailer, news segments, short scene from TV series and inspiring talks. When the users click on any word from the subtitles, it will provide in-context definition along with example sentences; thus, the users have opportunity to pause the video and easily look up the vocabulary to clarify their understanding. Also, it has quiz sections and many individual learners mention that it reinforces their listening skill in real life situation as well as facilitates to master vocabulary.

  • Hazel says:

    When I was studying at a university in China, especially during my freshman year, I used a lot of apps to learn languages. when I used those apps, I would learn to use them together with the word memorization app. For example, Duolingo, HelloTalk, Globally Talk and Drop. All my friends around me have heard of at least one of these language-learning apps. But not many of them still persist in doing it—the apps in this range from 40+ languages to 7000+ languages. Whenever we come to know of such software, the first reaction is to go and download it. And then, there is no more haha. As for me personally, I like to learn a language as much as I like to read a story. I especially like our weekly writing task and I even look forward to doing it every week. Of course, I’m not saying this to please anyone. when I do it every week, I’m completing an enriching read with a relaxed mindset, and I learn something new every time.
    In fact, there is an app in China called WeChat, and WeChat has a function called public accounts. I follow a lot through another new way that helps us to learn the language and the latest English expressions. I think it is important to find your own favorite way to learn a language so that you can learn happily and enrich yourself at the same time!
    I am not sure if you can see the link, this is one of my favorite public accounts on WeChat. Thanks!

    https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/44zyx-CaCpvHlk82XBbKCw

    • Thanks, Hazel! So glad you enjoy the reading tasks 🙂
      Hosting a public Language on the Move account on WeChat has been on my to-do list for a while. Not sure I’ll ever get round to it … It’s the same problem your friends have with all their apps: it all looks like a great opportunity, but there is so much on offer in the digital world, it’s impossible to keep up; and sometimes we have to retreat and embrace the slow real world …

  • Helena says:

    Thanks to the advance of technology, nowadays, there are more and more learning language apps such as Duolingo, Cake, and Elsa,… Each app has its advantages such as updating new lessons day by day, reminding lesson time, or even practicing in role-play. I think Duolingo is the most popular learning app in Vietnam because it is free and easy to use. Every person can use it to learn anytime and anywhere they want, they just need to spend around 10 to 15 minutes practicing every day. If people forget to load in and study, it will automatically send an email to announce and warn them to spend more time studying. Besides English, people can also learn French, Korean, Chinese, etc, meaning if you have enough time, you can switch between these languages to practice. Therefore, for a language learner, it is instrumental and convenient. In this app, they also try to use suitable pronouns based on the users’ profile: age, gender, occupation so I think usually the lessons and contents in this app are the same as the level of the learners.

  • Larissa says:

    I didn’t know much about language learning apps, so your post inspired me to explore the Google Play store. Wow – I didn’t realise there were so many! Looking at the two most prominent ones – Duolingo and Babbel (which I had heard of), I noticed that the word ‘fun’ is used a lot – in the descriptions and online reviews. Advances in technology mean these apps can now incorporate games, real life recordings, and rewards (among other features) into ‘bite sized’ lessons which creates interesting, engaging content for language learners in a fast paced world. One of the apps even mentioned that they were moving away from traditional lessons – this new technology and way of learning is their selling point. Additionally the use of real language and everyday, current expressions mean that they are hopefully moving away from stereotypes. After scrolling a bit longer, I found one app that looked really interesting for learning Japanese – Hey Japan. Similar to iBoyfriend, it mentioned that ‘Shibi’ is a chat feature that acts like your Japanese friend when learning the language. The language learning landscape has changed and it really does seem ‘fun’!

    • Thanks for doing the research! There certainly is a lot of fun stuff out there. I just wish it didn’t position classroom learning as “not fun”; or make “fun” the only indicator of quality learning …

      • Larissa says:

        True! There’s a bit more pressure on teachers nowadays to ensure lessons are entertaining as well as informative.

  • Natalie says:

    As technology advances, there are certainly more possibilities for language learning tools, however, this doesn’t necessarily make them more effective or less stereotypical. I came across a language learning app called “HiNative”, which connects language learners with ‘native speakers’ who can answer their questions, and correct their mistakes and pronunciation. Additionally, learners on this app can get answers and feedback from an AI program. The name “HiNative” itself already signals the problematic nature of the app, in that it perpetuates a native speakerism ideology which favours ‘native’ over ‘non-native’ English. Nowhere on the app’s website does it say that the ‘natives’ are even trained – it seems that their ‘native speaker’ status presupposes their ability to effectively teach English, which is absurd! Based on the images on the homepage, it looks like the feedback learners receive is merely a corrected version of their submitted sentence, with no further information about why they were incorrect or what they did well. I highly doubt that this would be an effective way to learn language or build confidence in your abilities. In my opinion, language learning apps will only be effective if they’re informed by real teachers who work to mitigate harmful language ideologies.

    • Thanks, Natalie! Sadly, technological advances do not necessarily coincide with true improvements. So many great options to improve language learning with apps, and they go for perpetuating native speaker ideologies 😞

  • Dilys says:

    Great article! Technology’s progress makes learning super convenient. As far as I know, “Gamification” refers to the integration of gaming elements into the learning process to help increase excitement and keep learners’ focus. I have experience maintaining a streak through completing daily lessons in Duolingo that motivate me to study daily, card matching games in Quizlet, memorizing words while playing, and conquering planets according to each level of Memrise. Recently, I’ve learned that through Mondly VR, learners will learn through simulation; we will use microphones and have real conversations with game characters in different contexts, such as restaurants, taxis, and hotels. The effectiveness of language learning is increased by modern programs incorporating AI to recognize learners’ voices. Nowadays, apps can support techniques like shadowing, as shown in Cake, an app for learning English. By streamlining the learning process, this connection gives users a more dynamic and engaged language learning experience.

    • Thanks, Dilys! There are so many exciting topics you touch on here! I’ll make sure to look up some of these apps. Which language(s) are you learning on them?
      I tried to learn Chinese through one of these apps some time ago and the gamification proved really addictive. I did very well for quite a while but, unfortunately, learned a lot and forgot a lot 🙁 After I stopped using (playing?) the app, most of what I had learned seems to have disappeared out of my mind quite quickly … Long-term outcomes of language learning with apps probably needs a lot more research.

  • Lachlan Jackson says:

    Thanks for all the nice comments and additional links etc. I cant believe its 12 years ago that I wrote this. For those that are interested, Belinda Kennett and I ended up writing a paper on this that we published in Asian Englishes (2014) Vol 16 Issue 2 (157-172) under the title “What if [your] boyfriend was a foreigner? Romance, gender, and second language learning in an edutainment context”.
    Here’s the DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13488678.2014.916527
    And a URL here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13488678.2014.916527
    Thanks,
    Lachlan.

    • Thanks, Lachlan! Great to know you are still following Language on the Move! 🙂 Expect a few more comments in the next week or two, as we recently discussed Renai English in a class devoted to “Languages and Cultures in Contact” and iBoyfriend came up – do you know whether the app still exists?

  • benjaminfox says:

    Interesting read, it was an good look at language learning role-play. Twelve years after this article, the accessibility of AI chat models has made it easier to communicate with virtual chatbots to learn a new language, and countless apps and websites exist to facilitate this. For example, this Duolingo has integrated elements of ChatGPT to build conversation bots to help people learn a new language. Duolingo argued that having the feature allows for users to focus their learning on areas they like talking about, with an intelligence that is able to respond and build on what they have learned. Even for those hesitant to communicate with a AI, there are now tens of apps geared towards connecting people for language education, like Hellotalk, iTalki, and Hinative. And like this article suggests, people who are tasked with learning to communicate together are going to form relationships (https://www.acquirethelanguage.com/post/hellotalk-review-date-or-learn), not to mention the para-social relationships people form with AI chatbots.

    • Thanks for these links! Interesting stuff – there is so much we don’t know about these forms of language learning, including the para-social relationships you mention – is it desirable to form such relationships in the interest of language learning or potentially harmful? Lots of research opportunities …

  • Ruriko says:

    Great posting!!
    It looks like there’s more to discover.
    This “iboyfriend” application seems to utilize the existing game culture (love dating simulation game for girls) as well as the popularity of English to do the money-making activity.

  • steven says:

    when it comes to English education in Japan, nothing is surprising

  • Sheyla Gallegos says:

    thank you for the update. I wonder how the Spanish ‘si tuviera un novio’ iphone application would be?

  • Roslyn Appleby says:

    A fascinating find – thanks for bringing it to our attention. I’m intrigued that these discourses live on in the virtual world, and are obviously continuing to find ‘customers’ in the real world.

  • khan says:

    Lachlan Jackson

    Simply a superb post. Enjoyed every bit of it and of course its tone!. Great Lachlan!

    Best wishes,
    Khan

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