ChatLearn: Leveraging AI to Transform Non-Native Speaker Communication Challenges as Language Learning Opportunities

TL;DR

ChatLearn is an AI-mediated communication system that not only assists non-native speakers in real-time but also promotes ongoing language learning through contextual review, enhancing language acquisition without impairing communication quality.

Contribution

This paper introduces ChatLearn, a novel AIMC system that integrates language learning into communication assistance, enabling continuous language development during conversations.

Findings

NNSs recalled more expressions with ChatLearn

No significant decline in communication experience

Contextual learning improves language retention

Abstract

Non-native speakers (NNSs) face significant language barriers in multilingual communication with native speakers (NSs). While AI-mediated communication (AIMC) tools offer efficient one-time assistance, they often overlook opportunities for NNSs' continuous language acquisition. We introduce ChatLearn, an enhanced AIMC system that leverages NNSs' communication difficulties as learning opportunities. Beyond comprehension and expression assistance, ChatLearn simultaneously captures NNSs' language challenges, and subsequently provides them with spaced review as the conversation progresses. We conducted a mixed-methods study using a communication task with 43 NNS-NS pairs, after which ChatLearn NNSs recalled significantly more expressions than the baseline group, while there was no substantial decline in communication experience. Our findings highlight the value of contextual learning in NNS-NS communication, providing a new direction for AIMC systems that foster both immediate collaboration and continuous language development.