Learning another language is much more than downloading data.
With the whole tech race, they want us to believe it's the solution to all our problems. So why can't AI teach you to connect in another language? Because for that, you need Human-Learning.
Nobody is saying you shouldn't practise, especially at the beginning, with language apps or an Apple Vision headset to try to learn how to behave in a meeting or get to know someone. But the reality, after a lifetime working with languages, is that you learn by building an emotional bond with a qualified teacher.
I'm not saying you should fall in love with the person doing language coaching with you. All I'm saying is that a machine with fake feelings or fake ways of connecting won't help you understand how to connect emotionally with an Irishman from Bray.
You'll never be short of data. But being able to chat about history, culture, anecdotes, food and so on will give you such a broad, natural set of resources that one day you'll be able to use them in a business meeting, naturally and to good effect.
Yesterday a client (he's been with us for more than two years) told us there had been some tension at his company with one of their suppliers.
There were intermediaries, qualified in languages, who weren't resolving certain problems that kept coming up.
It got so bad that the supplier had issued an ultimatum about continuing to work together.
When he was told about the problem, he decided to speak to the supplier directly and try to sort it out. As soon as the online meeting began, our client noticed the accent and asked whether he was Irish.
Surprised, the other man said he was from Sligo, although he'd been living abroad for a long time.
Our client had been working with Irish teachers for quite a while, and they'd talked so much about the country and its culture that he connected with the supplier straight away.
In the end they settled their differences and reached an agreement that benefited my client's company.
If you're truly looking to improve your life and your relationships, language coaching with flesh-and-blood professionals, even if they're not as perfect as AI, can help you connect in another language for life.
If you'd like to get in touch to improve the skill that stands out most in any company, click the email link.
We'll reply within 48 hours and see how we can help you or your company.
Have a good day.