In an period the place AI guarantees on the spot fluency by chatbots and every day streaks, language studying is liable to shedding its strongest ingredient: human connection. At Preply, we consider that whereas know-how can assist the method, the deepest and most significant progress occurs between individuals.
Confidence, cultural understanding, and motivation aren’t constructed by algorithms, however by actual human interplay. That’s why we created The Higher Duo Awards, a celebration of the long-standing tutor–pupil relationships that present what human-led studying can actually obtain.
By means of inside information, real-life case research and skilled insights, we discover the language studying developments of 2025, highlighting why the richest studying experiences nonetheless occur between people and the place AI merely can’t compete.
Key findings
- Human-first studying drives real progress: Personalised assist, emotional connection and cultural context make human tutors simpler than AI instruments
- Whereas English stays the highest language learners select, Japanese, Arabic, and Korean have skilled the quickest progress prior to now two years.
- As many rivals pivot towards AI-first fashions, Preply stays dedicated in increasing its international tutor community, conserving genuine human connection on the coronary heart of language studying.
The Higher Duo Awards: Meet the people behind the training
The Higher Duo Awards shine a lightweight on a few of Preply’s long-standing tutor–pupil partnerships – connections constructed on extra than simply grammar and vocabulary, however on belief, consistency, and shared progress.
It’s not that language studying at all times takes years, however that some learners select to remain as a result of the bond itself turns into a part of the motivation. These duos show that true progress doesn’t come from algorithms alone; it comes from human steering, significant conversations, and the type of encouragement solely an actual individual may give.
Duo one: Daniel and Jose Luis
Meet Daniel
When Daniel first signed up for Spanish lessons, his purpose was clear: to raised assist the Spanish-speaking sufferers he serves as a psychological well being skilled. In the beginning, he merely hoped to have the ability to talk important data and navigate fundamental interactions.
At the moment, Daniel speaks with fluency and confidence, navigating high-stakes medical conversations. He’s now licensed to conduct psychiatric evaluations and supply counseling companies in Spanish inside the Emergency Division, a change he attributes largely to his work along with his long-time tutor.
“His character is extremely motivating, and his encouragement has been the one approach to survive studying verb tenses in Spanish – even when I wanted it defined 100 instances over.”
Meet Jose Luis
For the previous seven years, Jose Luis has targeted on constructing Daniel’s comprehension from the bottom up, regularly increasing into real-world vocabulary, skilled terminology, and even regional slang.
“We have to use human instinct to grasp the coed, we’re there to take heed to them and we put together the lesson for the talents they want and need to enhance.”
Duo two: César and Aline
Meet César
Again in 2017, César got down to be taught Portuguese with the motivation of with the ability to kind deep connections with locals whereas travelling by Portugal and Brazil. Years later, his means to talk the language has unlocked cultural experiences, genuine conversations, and private moments that will’ve in any other case been out of attain.
“Studying a language can also be about connecting with individuals and their tradition, and dealing with Aline has taught me not simply find out how to converse, however find out how to assume and joke in Portuguese.”
Aline’s means to make every class recent, participating, and stunning, has motivated César to proceed past preliminary comprehension and proceed classes, studying every little thing from journey ideas and historic occasions, to philosophy and popular culture.
Meet Aline
Aline has been tutoring on Preply for over 9 years, pushed by a love of languages and a deep perception within the energy of human connection.
“Every session with César is a journey – he brings focus, curiosity, and a contagious enthusiasm for studying. I’ve grow to be a wiser individual due to our conversations. Your success turns into theirs too – and with them, you’ll discover actual motivation, empathy, and even friendship.”
For Aline, tutoring is necessary, and goes method past correcting grammar – it’s about adapting to the wants of the coed within the second.
“A tutor can immediately sense and adapt to a pupil’s emotional and cognitive wants – one thing AI merely can’t do.”
Duo three: Gustavo and Mónica
Meet Gustavo
For Gustavo, mastering English was the gateway to skilled progress. As his confidence and fluency improved, so did his profession: he earned a senior position, led international initiatives, and even wrote his psychology thesis utilizing English-language analysis. However equally as significant has been the connection he constructed along with his tutor.
“You may make jokes and cry, as a result of there may be one other individual on the display screen who helps you and supplies an emotional connection to share concepts, emotions, understanding, and encouragement.”
Their classes have developed into an actual friendship, the place language studying is only one a part of the journey they share.
Meet Monica
Gustavo was Monica’s first pupil when she started educating English lessons on Preply 9 years in the past. They nonetheless meet weekly, not out of necessity, however to remain sharp, linked, and impressed. For Monica, it’s this human factor that makes her job so rewarding.
“AI or recreation apps can not specific emotions and feelings like people do. I as soon as cried pleased tears with a pupil when her English abilities developed in a method that gave her the independence that she desired. I used to be so pleased for her.”
Duo 4: Sanne and Evangelia
Meet Sanne
When Sanne got down to be taught Greek, she was ranging from scratch, motivated by a love for Greece and a want to attach extra deeply throughout her travels. Studying languages had by no means come simply to her, however with a personalised strategy constructed round her distinctive studying model, she’s now talking Greek with close to fluency.
Meet Evangelia
Evangelia has guided Sanne for seven years, crafting a journey that broke away from inflexible strategies and embraced what actually labored for her pupil.
‘’Actually, the human expertise is what it’s – human. AI may help, nevertheless it’s not actual, it doesn’t include the eyes, the soul, the sentiments that come together with the phrases. We don’t solely educate a language. We introduce you to a brand new world!”
Duo 5: Chris and Luis
Meet Chris
Chris started studying Spanish with a heartfelt purpose: to attach extra deeply along with his spouse’s tradition and someday elevate a bilingual household. From navigating public transport on holidays in Mexico to sharing TV exhibits at dwelling, Spanish has grow to be part of his every day life. For Chris, the turning level has been working with Luis.
“I don’t assume something can match the ear of a real speaker. Luis isn’t only a dictionary who can search for if what I’m saying is technically appropriate or not, he can share how a local would say issues, each in accent in addition to phrase alternative. Language can also be so deeply linked to tradition that it actually provides to the expertise to talk to an actual native speaker who is ready to join subjects to actual moments in his life.”
Meet Luis
For the previous eight years, Luis has met with Chris weekly, regularly serving to him transfer from competent to assured. At the moment, Chris isn’t simply fluent – he catches cultural references, jokes, and subtleties that convey conversations to life.
“I believe AI and apps are actually good assets in two circumstances: at the start of the examine and as a complement throughout the entire studying course of. However sooner or later, human interplay turns into necessary. Individuals need to be taught languages to speak with human beings, not with robots.”
Human vs AI: Who makes the higher language instructor?
As AI instruments and language studying apps proceed to evolve, it’s tempting to assume they might change human tutors solely. However in relation to actually mastering a language, real-world communication, cultural understanding, and confidence, human interplay stays important.
Human tutors provide a degree of personalisation that AI merely can’t match. Each learner has a singular character, studying model, and set of objectives – and a human tutor can adapt in actual time to satisfy these wants. Whether or not it means revisiting a difficult grammar rule, shifting subjects to keep up motivation, or adjusting the tempo to keep away from burnout, human-guided studying is dynamic and responsive. Compared, AI instruments are typically very generic and based mostly upon algorithms moderately than your studying wants.
Maybe essentially the most profound distinction lies within the relationships that human tutors construct with their college students, one thing which is clear in our duo case research. Many learners see their tutors as extra than simply educators – they typically grow to be associates. This relationship fosters belief, which is crucial for language studying: it encourages college students to take dangers, make errors, and keep engaged, not due to a gamified streak, however as a result of somebody genuinely cares about their progress.
Dr. Valeria Fiorenza Perris, Psychotherapist and Scientific Director of Unobravo says: “From a psychological standpoint, we’re far more inclined to pursue long-term studying after we really feel emotionally concerned and understand a way of duty towards the purpose. Gamification-based apps depend on mechanisms of speedy reward and superficial engagement. A dwell tutor, then again, succeeds in creating a private reference to the coed, providing emotional assist, fixed encouragement and focused suggestions.
This human connection has a direct impression on motivation, making dropouts a lot much less possible. Some analysis has proven that studying along with one other individual prompts confidence, reminiscence and focus, mechanisms that an algorithm can not replicate. That is additionally why those that use automated studying instruments, similar to Duolingo, are inclined to abandon them extra simply than those that select an actual tutor.”
Human tutors additionally present real-time suggestions that goes far past grammar correction, offering context with their suggestions. Whereas AI would possibly flag a sentence as appropriate or incorrect based mostly on guidelines, a tutor can clarify how one thing would really be mentioned in actual life – with cultural nuance, tone, and pure phrasing. Suggestions from a tutor is conversational, adaptive, and deeply human.
Equally, human tutors add one other essential layer – cultural context. In case your purpose is to talk confidently with native audio system, you want greater than textbook accuracy – you’ll want to perceive how language lives inside tradition. And who higher to information you than somebody with lived expertise of that tradition?
Melissa Baese-Berk, Affiliate Professor of Linguistics, provides, “Pure dialog is filled with nuance – from intonation and timing to cultural context and unstated cues. These are components that people navigate effortlessly, however that AI nonetheless struggles to duplicate. Whereas AI can present structured apply, it will probably’t change the dynamic, adaptive nature of actual human interplay, which is crucial for growing true conversational fluency.”
International language studying developments in 2025
At Preply, our inside information reveals essentially the most in-demand languages of 2025, and the explanations learners are mastering them. From profession development to cultural connection, the worldwide demand for personalised, human-led tutoring stays sturdy.
The preferred languages to be taught in 2025
Globally, English continues to be essentially the most in-demand language, with 42% of lively learners selecting to enhance their abilities in it. Given English serves because the common language of worldwide enterprise, training, and communication, its international reputation is not any shock. In predominantly English-speaking international locations just like the UK and the US, just one in 5 learners are finding out English.
Spanish holds second place worldwide, attracting 14% of lively learners. It’s the most studied language in 10 international locations and the second hottest in 81. Within the UK, Spanish and English have a equal demand, with 18% of learners selecting it. Within the US, it’s much more distinguished, studied by 29% of learners, possible because of the nation’s giant Hispanic inhabitants and its proximity to Latin America.
French ranks third, with 7% of worldwide learners selecting it. It’s the second most-learned language in 54 international locations and takes the highest spot in Luxembourg and Monaco, the place it holds sturdy cultural and official standing.
In the meantime, Arabic stands out as a regionally vital language, notably throughout the Center East and North Africa. It’s the second most-learned language in 20 international locations, together with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Arabic can also be notably extra widespread within the UK than within the US, with 12% of UK learners selecting to take Arabic lessons, in comparison with simply 5% within the US. This will mirror the UK’s nearer cultural and neighborhood ties with Arabic-speaking populations.
The quickest rising languages in 2025
Japanese is our fastest-growing language, rising 33% sooner than the platform common – making it the standout performer heading into 2025. This surge in curiosity can possible be attributed to the worldwide rise of Japanese popular culture, together with anime and manga. As well as, Japan’s rising tourism business and popularity as a secure, tech-forward vacation spot have made studying the language extra interesting for vacationers and cultural fanatics alike. Japanese tradition may be very completely different to what we expertise in Western cultures – this uniqueness possible provides to its enchantment.
Arabic takes second place with a 15% progress in uptake during the last two years. As a language central to islamic tradition, Arabic is more and more necessary for enterprise, diplomacy, journey, and bible study. Its progress in areas like Europe and the UK additionally corresponds to elevated curiosity. Arabic’s linguistic complexity makes it particularly interesting to learners looking for a problem past frequent Western languages.
The variety of individuals taking Korean lessons additionally continues on a gradual incline, with a 13% enhance in learners – once more a change more likely to be strongly linked to the rising reputation of Korean popular culture, particularly the likes of Squid Sport.
The commonest motivations for language studying
Globally, the highest motive individuals be taught a brand new language is just for enjoyment, with 36% of learners describing language examine as a passion. Language studying is usually a enjoyable and enriching expertise, particularly when it includes constructing a private reference to a tutor, turning classes right into a social and cultural change. This hobby-driven motivation is especially distinguished amongst learners of much less generally spoken languages like Lao, Welsh, and Maltese, which can have restricted sensible use however maintain sturdy private or cultural significance.
This pattern is much more pronounced in English-speaking international locations such because the UK and the US, the place English’s international dominance reduces the urgency to be taught one other language for work or survival. Practically half of learners in these international locations, 51% within the US and 48% within the UK, cite enjoyment as their major motive for finding out a brand new language.
Profession development is available in because the second commonest motivator, with 32% of learners aiming to spice up their job prospects by language abilities. That is very true for these taking English and German lessons; practically half (49%) of English learners say skilled progress is their most important purpose. Whereas this motivation is much less dominant within the UK and US, possible as a result of English’s widespread use in international enterprise, round one in 5 UK learners nonetheless examine further languages for profession causes, typically pushed by non-native English audio system looking for a aggressive edge.
Training additionally performs a task, cited by 10% of learners globally. When mixed with career-focused motivations, which means 42% of language learners are pursuing a transparent, goal-oriented motive for his or her research. Whereas enjoyment tops the record, it’s clear that for a lot of, language studying isn’t just a passion, it’s a strategic funding of their future.
Curiously, journey ranks low as a major motivator, cited by simply 0.6% of learners worldwide. Nevertheless, those that do be taught languages for journey typically select Indonesian, Italian, or Spanish, reflecting widespread vacationer locations.
Why Preply is dedicated to human-first studying
At a time when gamification and AI are quickly reshaping the language studying panorama, Preply is taking a distinctly human-first strategy.
Sofia Tavares, our Chief Model Officer at Preply, explains: “Language studying is about excess of memorising phrases or conserving a streak going. It’s about embracing tradition, constructing confidence, and forming significant connections. A human tutor brings empathy, belief, and personalised steering, qualities no algorithm can actually replicate. This dedication to human connection is what makes Preply a spot the place actual progress occurs.”
Whereas Duolingo’s current and much-discussed pivot towards an AI-first mannequin has sparked debate throughout the business, Preply has chosen a distinct path. Somewhat than sidelining the human factor, we’re doubling down, investing in increasing our international community of skilled tutors.
“Language is inherently human – so why take away people?” Sofia continues. “We’re growing AI instruments to assist and improve the training journey, not change the tutor-student relationship. Our focus stays on rising our neighborhood of passionate tutors to make sure personalised, significant language studying is accessible to individuals worldwide.”
In an age of automated solutions and digital shortcuts, Preply champions actual relationships, genuine suggestions, and real progress, proving that the way forward for language studying will at all times be human-first.
Methodology
To grasp the worth of human-led language studying and establish rising developments for 2025, we analysed anonymised inside learner exercise information and performed in-depth interviews with each tutors and college students, emphasising the distinctive private and academic advantages that human connection brings to the language studying journey.