Commentary: Should you study a new language through human teachers or AI? After a year of using both, here’s what I’ve learnt

When I’m around Cantonese speakers, this is the memorised caveat I come armed with: “Ngo sek teng, mm sek gong” (translation: “I can understand, but can’t speak”). 
Having grown up with my maternal grandmother, I picked up more Hokkien (my mother’s dialect) than Cantonese (my father’s dialect).
After my paternal grandmother passed when I was two, I encountered Cantonese only sporadically through my parents’ TVB dramas or occasional family events, perhaps twice a year. Even then, my Cantonese interactions usually consisted of elders lamenting about our lack of dialect usage. 
With no real or looming urgency, I always figured I’d tackle Cantonese later on, if ever. 
But life has a funny way of surprising us.
In 2022, when I first met my partner’s family in Kuala Lumpur (and later, his extended family in Ipoh), I found myself at countless meals where Cantonese was the dominant language. 
They were gracious enough to switch to English for my sake, but let’s be honest: Certain feelings, expressions, and stories simply don’t translate or feel the same way without the native tongue. 
I felt frustrated and, honestly, a bit ashamed. I wanted to connect with them in a way that English just couldn’t allow, especially since Cantonese is part of my own heritage.
My parents’ and grandparents’ generations picked up dialects mainly through conversation and informal language transmission. However, I quickly found that learning one as a “formal subject” is a whole different ball game, one that’s less about the technical and more about humility and patience. 
To start off, finding the right resources to start learning Cantonese wasn’t easy. 
Unlike mainstream languages like Spanish or French, which are readily available to newbies on digital platforms like Duolingo, Busuu, and Rosetta Stone, dialects like Cantonese require a different approach.
After much research and trawling through Reddit forums, most suggestions pointed me to iTalki, a platform that connects you with online tutors. 
At first glance, the platform seemed pretty intuitive. I loved how it allowed you to find local tutors from your preferred region, complete with authentic reviews and tailored lesson plans for various proficiency levels. The self-introduction videos required of tutors added an extra layer of credibility. 
The platform also offered learners the option to move on to group lessons once basics were mastered.
Once I began, I discovered that personalised tutoring offered incredible (virtual) flexibility, immediate feedback, and real-time conversation practice. While it might take some trial and error to find the right tutor, I was fortunate enough to do so on my second try. 
Like me, my Cantonese tutor had moved abroad to study and was also learning multiple languages for work and her partner’s family. She wove in fun facts about Malaysian Cantonese slang, the “informal” way to speak, and proactively taught me Chinese New Year greetings when I mentioned I’d be visiting my partner’s family in February. 
Cantonese is a famously complex dialect, rich in intricate phonological details and challenging syntax. Even writing the pinyin feels like solving a puzzle. I rely on three tools (Bing Translator, Google, and my partner) just to piece together the final product.
But if I’m being honest, the hardest part about learning a new language was overcoming my own nerves — facing a stranger with almost no knowledge, committing to regular lessons, and practising with fluent speakers. 
When it comes to niche languages, there’s often some judgement if you haven’t fully mastered it. It can feel like there’s no “in-road” when fluent speakers are already deep in discussion or, worse, talking about sensitive issues that basic proficiency can’t cover.
I had to leave my concerns and insecurities at the door, take the first step in admitting I was going to make mistakes, and trust the process.
On the flipside, I recently started learning Spanish on Duolingo and quickly noticed a stark difference between artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning and real-life tutors.
For the uninitiated, Duolingo is a language-learning mobile platform that has gained massive popularity thanks to its gamified approach, successful track record, and clever marketing — you’ve probably seen its trademark green owl mascot somewhere somehow.
A 2023 international study shows that Duolingo learners can even outperform classroom learners. 
Funded by Duolingo but conducted by an independent research group, the study looked at two groups of English-language learners in Colombia: The first spent about three hours per week in a university-level English course, while the second studied English on Duolingo for the same amount of time. 
After 16 weeks, the university class group showed no significant improvement, while the Duolingo group’s English proficiency improved significantly, especially in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
To me, platforms like Duolingo are fantastic for picking up new vocabulary and laying down the basics. 
The gamified elements — competing with friends, maintaining a learning streak, and tackling challenges together — make the whole process almost addictive. Paid users get unlimited attempts and personalised practice exercises. If you’re a fan of the annual Spotify Wrapped, you’ll love Duolingo’s weekly progress reports on your stats and learning milestones.
However, these platforms do have drawbacks. 
For example, the same study found that while learning on Duolingo may build one’s reading and writing skills, learners’ grammar saw no improvement. Progress is also dependent on learners being persistent and consistent in using the app. 
Duolingo and other digital platforms also often lack the depth of cultural context and nuanced language use that you might need. A friend who had spent six months in Madrid pointed out that I was learning a “formalised” version of Spanish, while in real life, people more commonly use shortened slang and colloquialisms. 
For me, the best approach combines both methods.
If you’re seeking to learn a new language, I’d recommend starting with AI-powered platforms to build a solid foundation and grasp the basics. 
Then, move on to personal tutoring to polish your conversational skills, dive deeper into the culture, and tackle specific challenges. 
Having a tutor to practise with has been a game changer — it keeps my skills from getting rusty. Plus, I use AI tools and translators alongside to keep learning and practising at the same time.
I’m also excited to see more innovative hybrid options popping up. For instance, Linguabox makes learning Mandarin and Cantonese more engaging with interactive exercises, role-playing, and multimedia tools like online whiteboards and video chats.
Full disclosure: After a year of learning Cantonese, I still stumble over my sentences and struggle with translating to English on the fly. 
But instead of using the old caveat, I now say: “Ngo yi ga hok gen gwong dung wa, ho yi bei ngo yat di si gaan mou?” (“I’m currently learning Cantonese, can you give me some time?”)
No matter what routes you choose, learning a new language can be uncomfortable — but ultimately, your intent matters most. We may grapple with unfamiliarity and failure for a while, but the avenues of human connection that open up to us are well worth the struggle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Chan is a communications strategist by trade, and a digital native by passion. She is keen on igniting conversations for topics close to her heart such as social impact, intersectionality, and pop culture.