Hello and welcome!

This week, instead of new videos, I’ve been focused on building automation tools and exploring AI’s role in language learning. While my video editor continues crafting Shorts, I’ve been working on backend projects that could reshape how we approach language education. In this update, I’ll share insights into the future of ESL, AI-driven teaching, and a few special tools I’ve been developing.

If you prefer to listen instead, check out the latest podcast episodes:

🎙 Available on Libsyn, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

No New Videos This Week, But Plenty of Updates

This week passed quickly, and for the first time in a while, we didn’t publish any new videos. Instead, I’ve been working on something different—automation and app development.

Why No Videos?

Although my video editor has been hard at work creating YouTube Shorts, I’ve been focused on backend development—specifically, automation tools that may reshape the way we approach language learning.

A Career Change? Not Quite.

Yes, I am heading back to the classroom. I’ll be teaching at a university, but this isn’t a career move in the traditional sense. It’s a step sideways—less money, fewer responsibilities, but more importantly, more time to pursue other projects and possible visit Canada.

A recent trip to Canada highlighted the need for flexibility—both in work and in location. While my current job allows me to work from home, it requires me to be in Beijing for a set number of days per month. This arrangement has worked until now, but things are changing.

At the same time, the ESL landscape is evolving. The way people learn languages is changing, and I want to try being part of that change rather than just observing from the sidelines.

Technology and the Future of Language Learning

More Tech, Fewer Teaching Jobs?

The role of AI in education is expanding. While teachers won’t disappear, those who remain will need to integrate and leverage technology more effectively.

One major shift? AI-powered avatars, chatbots, and CGI-based instructors. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, language teaching contracts require educators to license their face and voice for AI-generated content.

While this might sound strange, it also presents some new opportunities.

How AI Will Make Learning Easier

Each major tech leap in language learning has made access easier and reduced costs:

• 1990s: Rosetta Stone made self-learning structured and affordable.
• 2010s: Duolingo convinced millions they could learn any language with gamified apps.
• 2020s and beyond: AI, ChatGPT, and real-time voice cloning is changing interaction and immersion.

We’re already seeing this with tools like Descript and Eleven Labs, which can replicate voices for overdubbing. Combined with LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, or Mistral, learners will have customized AI tutors available 24/7.

The Role of Teachers in an AI-Driven Future

Language teachers will still be necessary, but their roles will shift. Instead of traditional classroom instruction, teachers will act as moderators and guides for AI-driven learning platforms.

• AI-powered chatbots will handle grammar explanations, pronunciation practice, and conversation drills.
• Students will progress at their own pace using AI tutors.
• For real-world feedback and corrections, they’ll pay for access to a human specialist.

In short: AI will handle routine language drills, while teachers will focus on refining accuracy, nuance, and real-world application.

For educators, this means learning how to integrate AI into their teaching rather than relying solely on outdated methodologies. For students, it means more personalized, flexible, and cost-effective ways to learn.

Special Offer: Apple Shortcuts for Language Learning

I’ve been developing a few Apple Shortcuts to help in learning a language. These are small automations I’ve modified for Chinese and Russian, but they can be adapted for any language.

Available Shortcuts

1. Word of the Day in Chinese – Pulls a word from Merriam-Webster, translates it into Mandarin, provides example sentences, creates a note, and reads it aloud. Access the Shortcut here: Word of the Day in Chinese
2. Add Word to Notes and Reminders – Highlights a word, analyzes its grammar, provides examples, and saves it in Notes while reading it aloud. Access the Shortcut here: Add Word to Notes and Reminders
3. Apple News in Russian – Fetches two recent articles, summarizes and translates them into simple Russian, then saves the result in Notes and reads it out loud. Access the Shortcut here: Apple News in Russian

Feel free to modify these as needed. If you run into any issues, I can offer basic assistance, but there might be other technical factors preventing these from working. They all require newer Apple devices that have ChatGPT integration capabilities.

What About Android Users?

For now, these Shortcuts are exclusive to Apple devices. I switched to Apple after my last phone froze up and died, but I’ll explore options for Android compatibility in the future.

Final Thoughts

This week may have been video-free, but I’ve been busy building for the future. Several videos are in the pipeline, including another monthly language check.

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to reply to this email or leave a comment on YouTube.

All the best,

Steve