Essay from Nafosat Jovliyeva

Young Central Asian woman with long dark hair, brown eyes, and a white ruffled blouse outside in front of a leafy green tree on a sunny day.

Annotation: This article examines the role of technology in modern language learning. It highlights how digital tools such as online dictionaries, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence-based systems are changing the process of acquiring new languages. The research also discusses both the advantages and challenges of using technology in linguistics education. Examples from real-life practices are presented to support the arguments.

Keywords: language learning,technology, linguistics, digital tools, education,efficient,translate,learners,skills,multilingualism,artificial intelligence,globalization.

Introduction :In the 21st century, technology has become an inseparable part of education, especially in the field of linguistics. Traditional language learning methods such as memorization, grammar-focused drills, and classroom-based lessons are now being supplemented—or even replaced—by digital resources. The integration of technology into language learning is not simply a trend; it is a necessity brought about by globalization and the demand for multilingual competence. Unlike in the past, when learners relied heavily on textbooks and teacher-led instruction, today’s students can practice listening through podcasts, improve speaking skills with interactive applications, and enhance vocabulary with online flashcards. For example, instead of repeating words mechanically, learners now use applications like Quizlet or Anki, which apply spaced repetition algorithms to ensure long-term retention of vocabulary. This represents a significant shift from passive memorization to active, technology-supported engagement.Furthermore, the integration of technology into language learning is not simply a trend but rather a global necessity. Globalization has created an environment where multilingual competence is increasingly required. Students are expected not only to know foreign languages but also to use them effectively in international communication, business, and academia. Technology makes this goal more achievable by connecting learners with authentic resources and native speakers across the globe. For instance, video conferencing platforms such Zoom or Microsoft Teams allow language learners to attend virtual classes taught by instructors thousands of miles away.Another key factor is personalization. Traditional classrooms often adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but digital platforms use adaptive learning systems to tailor content according to the learner’s level and progress. Artificial intelligence-driven tools, such as language chatbots or pronunciation analyzers, provide instant feedback, something that is difficult to achieve in a crowded classroom.Ultimately, technology has redefined the boundaries of language learning. It no longer occurs solely within the four walls of a classroom but extends to every part of a learner’s daily life—through mobile apps, online communities, and digital immersion environments. This combination of accessibility, flexibility, and global connectivity makes technology not just an addition to traditional methods but an essential pillar of modern linguistics education. The integration of technology into language learning is not merely a passing trend but rather a global necessity. In a world where communication transcends borders, the ability to master multiple languages is highly valued in business, education, and international relations. Technology plays a crucial role in bridging this gap.For example, digital platforms such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Busuu provide learners with opportunities to study languages interactively at their own pace. These tools adapt to individual progress and offer personalized learning experiences, something that traditional classrooms often struggle to achieve. The accessibility of these resources also ensures that people from different socio-economic backgrounds can learn languages without the barriers of cost or geography.

The Relevance of the Topic:The importance of technology in language learning lies in its ability to provide access, flexibility, and efficiency. Unlike traditional methods, learners today have opportunities to practice language skills anytime and anywhere. Mobile applications like Duolingo and Memrise allow learners to study vocabulary and grammar interactively. Online platforms such as Coursera or edX provide language courses taught by native speakers from across the globe.Another key aspect of relevance is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). For example, AI-powered chatbots can simulate conversations, helping learners improve speaking and listening skills without fear of making mistakes. This demonstrates how technology not only supports but also motivates learners.Analysis with Examples

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Ø Online Dictionaries and Translators

Digital dictionaries such as Oxford Online or Cambridge Dictionary give instant access to word meanings, pronunciations, and examples. Tools like GoogleTranslate provide immediate translation, though not always perfect, making them practical aids for beginners.

Ø Mobile Learning Apps

Applications such as Duolingo and Babbel turn language learning into a game-like experience. For example, Duolingo rewards learners with points and badges, which increases motivation. Research shows that learners using mobile apps practice more consistently than those relying solely on textbooks. Access to Authentic Materials.Learners can watch films, listen to podcasts, and read articles in their target language. For instance, a student studying English can follow international news through the BBC Learning English platform, which combines real-world news with structured language learning exercises.

Ø  Social Media and Online Communication

Social platforms like Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem) enable learners to communicate with native speakers. This offers real-life practice opportunities that traditional classrooms often lack. Interactive Communication:Virtual platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Tandem connect learners with teachers and native speakers worldwide. Unlike in traditional classrooms where interaction is limited to classmates, these tools allow real-time cross-cultural communication.

Ø  Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Assistants

Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can be used to practice pronunciation and everyday conversation. AI systems analyze the learner’s speech, detect mistakes, and suggest improvements. For example, ChatGPT itself can be a tool for practicing different aspects of language learning. Adaptive Learning and Personalization: Artificial intelligence-powered applications adjust lessons based on the learner’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, pronunciation apps like Elsa Speak use speech recognition technology to provide immediate feedback, helping learners achieve near-native accuracy in speaking.

Advantages and challenges 

v Accessibility: learning anytime, anywhere

v Motivation: interactive and game-based tasks

v Personalization: adaptive learning systems adjust to learner’s level

v Exposure: direct communication with native speakers

v Overreliance on technology can reduce traditional study discipline

v Not all online content is reliable or accurate

v Learners may face digital distraction instead of focused study

v Some students lack stable internet or devices

 Importance of Technology in Linguistics: From a broader perspective, technology enhances not only language acquisition but also linguistic research. Linguists use digital corpora to analyze language patterns, study dialects, and explore sociolinguistic trends. Speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP) tools also contribute to advancements in translation, language preservation, and artificial intelligence.For example, endangered languages can now be recorded, digitized, and shared globally. This ensures that they are preserved for future generations and made accessible for study. Similarly, online collaboration platforms allow linguists from different countries to work together on projects without geographical limitations.

    Conclusion

Technology has redefined the boundaries of language learning and research in linguistics. It offers accessibility, personalization, and global connectivity, which traditional classrooms cannot fully provide. Far from being a simple supplement, technology has become an essential pillar in modern education. By embracing digital tools, linguistics not only adapts to the demands of globalization but also empowers individuals to communicate effectively across cultures and societies.

The future of linguistics lies in the synergy between human expertise and technological innovation. As artificial intelligence and digital platforms continue to advance, language learning will become more efficient, inclusive, and interconnected than ever before.

References

1. BBC. (2025). BBC Learning English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

2. Busuu. (2025). Busuu Language Learning App. https://www.busuu.coom 

3. Duolingo. (2025). Duolingo. https://www.duolingo.com 

4. Elsa Corp. (2025). Elsa Speak. https://elsaspeak.coom.

5. Godwin-Jones, R. (2018). Emerging technologies: Language learning and technology. Language Learning & Technology, 22(3), 2–11.

6. Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2020). Mobile-assisted language learning. Routledge.

7. Memrise. (2025). Memrise App. https://www.memrise.com 

8. Warschauer, M., & Kern, R. (2000). Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice. Cambridge University Press.

BBC Learning English (https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/) BBC Learning English – Learn English with BBC Learning English – Homepage

About BBC Learning English

Essay from Janna Hossam

Central Asian teen girl in a black headscarf and sweater and black reading glasses.

Gifted students are often seen as unstoppable achievers excelling in academics, skills, or creation. But behind the impressive grades and projects, many face burnout far earlier than expected. The reason? A mix of high expectations, perfectionism, and a constant push to stay “ahead.”

From a young age, gifted learners may be praised for their abilities rather than their effort. This can create pressure to always perform flawlessly, leaving little room for mistakes or self-discovery, and developing anxiety and fear from not reaching to others expectations. Add in heavy workloads, lack of social understanding from peers, and the fear of “not living up to potential,” and exhaustion sets in mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically.

Helping them starts with balance. Schools and parents should focus on process over results, valuing curiosity and growth rather than constant output. Encouraging hobbies, downtime, and friendships outside of academic circles helps restore a sense of normalcy. Mentorship programs can also provide guidance from those who’ve navigated similar challenges.

Gifted students don’t just need harder problems to solve they need spaces to breathe, fail, and recharge. Supporting their well-being ensures their talents can grow sustainably, without burning out before their real journey begins.

My name is Jana Hossam, a passionate and driven student from Minya, Egypt, currently entering my final year of high school.

I’m the creator of GreenVolt — a plant-based electricity generator with IoT integration that provides clean, real-time monitored energy. I also developed the HEH System, a Smart Pavement project that converts heat, light, and motion into power.

As a facilitator, I teach more than 30 students and have interviewed over 100 participants from international programs. I’m also a freelancer in translation, writing, and minimalist logo design on Fiverr.

I actively participate in mentoring sessions, youth programs, and global initiatives like IRENA. With deep interests in tech, leadership, and education, I continue building a future that empowers young people — especially women — through innovation and impact.

Short story from Otaboyeva Zuhra

Young Central Asian woman with long straight dark hair and a tan coat over a black blouse.

Fate

The sun was shining brightly, it was the middle of summer…

I woke up early and was sweeping the yard. My grandmother was sitting and watching me.

  • “My girl, you studied all night, you didn’t sleep at all. You should rest a little!” she said with concern.
  • “It’s okay, Grandma, if I go one night without sleep, nothing will happen. God willing, I’ll pass the entrance exams, and then I’ll have plenty of time to rest.”
  • “If your parents were alive, they would have helped you,” she said sadly.

Just then, my stepmother woke up and came out.

  • “Ugh… what an unpleasant morning. Hey, Malika, did you iron your brothers’ shirts?”
  • “Not yet… I haven’t finished.”
  • “What a useless girl your mother gave birth to! When will you ever do things properly? You can’t do anything right—only know how to eat and sleep,” she shouted.
  • “Why do you keep scolding her, daughter-in-law? Leave her be. She’s already struggling so much,” Grandma defended me.
  • “Don’t interfere! It’s all your fault—spoiling her like this!” my stepmother retorted.

That’s how my days passed—my stepmother never stopped scolding me. My grandmother, however, helped me in every way she could and wished for me to be an educated, learned girl. I never gave up; I did my best.

I believed that one day I would become a great person and free both myself and my grandmother from this darkness. I lived with that determination.

If I managed to finish the housework one day, I wouldn’t finish my lessons; if I finished my lessons, the housework would remain. My stepmother’s temper worsened day by day. Not only me—she would even scold and quarrel with my grandmother. Every day, she found an excuse to say:

  • “When will I get rid of this witch of an old woman? She hasn’t died yet, and I haven’t been freed from her!”

Since my stepmother was the only one working in the house, our household wasn’t in good shape. She spent most of her earnings on herself and her two sons. To buy books and notebooks for my studies and medicine for my grandmother, I sometimes went to the evening market to sell small goods. Somehow, I managed.

One morning, while making breakfast, I was putting the kettle on when my stepmother said:

  • “Hey, Malika. Why are you so slow? Here—this is my most expensive dress. Iron it carefully, understand?”

Then she looked at me mockingly:

  • “Why are you staring like that? Right, you’ve probably never even seen clothes like these.”

I stayed silent and started ironing. While I was ironing, my grandmother said:

  • “Malika, dear, your tea must be boiling—go check on it.”

In my hurry, I left the iron on the dress without realizing it, and the dress got burnt.

What followed was chaos and shouting that’s hard to describe. My stepmother was so furious that she practically lifted the whole house with her screaming. I was standing in the kitchen trembling so hard that I didn’t even notice I had spilled boiling water on my own hand.

Still yelling, she came at me with fury in her eyes. She had always looked for a reason to hurt me, and now she had found one. She dragged me into the room where I had been ironing. Without thinking twice, with her eyes red with rage, she pressed the hot iron onto my right hand.

  • “That’s for defying me and burning my dress on purpose!” she shouted.

The pain was unbearable—I screamed and cried, writhing in agony.

Well, those days passed, but…

The questions Why? For what? What was my fault? still haunted me.

Years went by—it’s been two or three years since that incident. I entered university. God willing, I wanted to become a lawyer. Now I’m in my third year, living in the dormitory in Tashkent, far from my grandmother’s love. I miss her terribly. I call her occasionally from my friend’s phone, but I still miss her deeply—I haven’t seen her for almost eight months.

When we talk, she always says:

  • “I’m fine, my dear. I take my medicine on time. Don’t worry about me. Focus on your studies. You must become the lawyer I always dreamed of. Don’t think about me.”

But I knew my stepmother was still making her life miserable. I constantly worried—was she healthy? Was she eating properly? Was the house peaceful? These thoughts disturbed me even in class.

What could I do? If I went home, I’d fall behind in my studies. Oh God, please give me patience…

Finally, I finished my third year. Now I was in a taxi on my way home—so happy, so excited to see my grandmother again and feel her love. Not even the difficulties of the long journey could spoil my mood.

After two days of travel, I finally arrived at my street. I ran from the corner in excitement—but for some reason, the front of our house was full of people. The men wore traditional coats and skullcaps.

I was puzzled—what was happening here?

Then I heard someone say, “She has passed away, my girl.”

Those words were enough to make me lose myself. Everything blurred before my eyes, and the only thing I could hear was that sentence repeating in my head. I couldn’t say a word—I just sank to my knees at the gate.

When people tried to bring me back to my senses, I suddenly ran inside…

This cruel world had not only taken my parents from me—it had taken my grandmother too. I could only imagine how much pain she endured without me…

Years passed. I fulfilled my grandmother’s wishes and my own dreams. Perhaps they were her last will—of that, I have no doubt.

Now, I work as a judge in the Tashkent city court. I believe there are two main reasons why a girl would choose such a profession:

«First, repeated encounters with injustice in her life.

Second, a strong sense of pride in her homeland»

I had both reasons. And besides, this was my greatest goal—my duty to my grandmother and my country.

Today, as I sit by my grandmother’s grave, I recall the events of the past, one by one.

“Grandma… I’m here! Your beloved granddaughter has come to you as a judge. Forgive me for leaving you alone. I couldn’t save you from that place. But now, I will not allow such things to happen again. No child’s life will be like mine. I promise—and I will do everything to keep that promise.”

(O. Zuhra) 2023

Poetry from Ana Petrovic

Middle aged light skinned European woman with a big straw hat and white blouse standing on a green lawn in front of a leafy green tree.

Duel

I roam through tempests, distance dares,

a burning cry my spirit bears.

No rest for fire, nor queenly gaze,

shall bow to dust, or shame’s disgrace.

That scorn the netherworld will raise,

ensnares the will in passion’s blaze.

Through storms of sin it gasps, it flies,

while reason bridles sweet demise.

A stone strikes lust, the soul is torn,

yet longing lures to death’s cold thorn.

Headless, death breathes close and near,

beside my step I feel her fear.

In furious clash of spirits wild,

untamed delights break free, defiled.

The joints of starry madness snap,

an avalanche bursts from the chest’s dark gap.

To wisdom’s heart I plead, implore,

a cup of mercy I adore.

Restraint to bind my hunger’s reign,

while lust feasts on, unbridled, stained.

Ana Petrović was born in Jagodina, Serbia, in 1985. She completed both grammar school and medical school, weaving together the clarity of science with the sensitivity of art. Her poems have been published in several international literary journals, as well as in a world anthology of contemporary poets.

Her poetic voice, at once intimate and defiant, carries echoes of her favorite poets—Mayakovsky’s burning intensity and Yesenin’s tender lyricism—yet remains distinctly her own.

Essay from Brian Barbeito

Phantasmagoria (Looking for the Moon)

Sketch with pens on lined paper of a sun rise over mountains with trees and a house.

The diviner had said the moon was entering some special phase full of promise and prowess. The cat was sleeping at home. I went to the coffee shop. The man sitting in front of me was staring at the counter workers and I could sense he was not a good man. I was happy when he left. The other man must have been a gemini as he talked all day and night to many souls. If nobody was there he waited, patiently, like a cat can wait, or as still as the moon, even his eyes hardly moving, like some kind of advanced meditator. Outside I heard the air brakes of a bus or truck. Going out there, it began to rain.

What a strange and peculiar day,- the autumnal air arriving, capricious weather,- it getting sunny then cloudy then warm then cold all at fast turns. I went back home for past the electric bikes and scooters, and a picnic bench missing one side bench yet somehow still looking anyhow, structurally sound. I drew a picture of the mountains that had clouds, birds, and a house and horse and cart plus some trees in the foreground. A large red sun was setting behind it all. Not long after I fell to sleep and dreamt I had a class to attend but didn’t make it for being distracted by two women fighting, a group of leaves lit by nocturnal electric lights, a talk with a kind woman, and not being able to find a parking spot. I awoke and felt cool air from the twirling fan and the window open. I went downstairs to drink a glass of water and look out the window for the moon but can’t remember if I ever did find it. 

Poetry from Dr. Priyanka Neogi

Young South Asian woman with long thick dark hair, a pink knit cap, and a red top, in front of a pink curtain.

The Bird is in the Flag

On the Independence Day of India,

a committee was celebrating independence on the field,

The turn of the flag at the end of the Jana-Gana-Mana.

A wise man comes and pulls the rope,

 Goes up to top spot, leafy,

This time the flag will fly, and the flowers will storm.

But it is not happening anymore,

As much as the flag is over to the rope,

Yet the flag does not open,

A bird came to see this,

Try to open by his lip,

The flag opened.

Opened and the flag flying this time,

The flowers touched the ground,

 kept a beautiful stream.

Short biography: Amb. Dr. Priyanka Neogi from Coochbehar. She is an administrative Controller of United Nations PAF, librarian, CEO of Lio Messi International Property & land Consultancy, international literacy worker, sports & peace promoter, dancer, singer, reciter, live telecaster, writer, editor, researcher, Literary journalist, host, beauty queen, international Co-ordinator of Vijay Mission of Community Welfare Foundation of India.