We've never had it so good, have we? Language instruction is easily available these days through apps, social media, and teaching platforms. And it's so affordable ...if not entirely free!

Sounds great, right?

Well, just like every other big global industry "disruption", things aren't so simple with this one either.

In today's podcast episode, we bring you a deep dive into that Boston Review article called "Who Pays for Cheap Language Instruction?"

We discuss:

• working conditions of language teachers and course creators


• how the apps profit from language learners


• what the tutoring market is like for teachers from different parts of the world


• why this is weakening the language learning industry


• what you can do about this right now

"We have put up with “products” inspired less by linguistic justice than by game design.

We have acquiesced to corporate cognitive-science experiments that harvest and mold our habits as data

When it comes to acquiring languages, we have learned to ignore our agency, our sense of ethics and social justice, even as we have flexed these same faculties to support a bookstore or a clothing company.

Simply put, we have consented to being the consumers that the language industry wants us to be.

Where do you listen?

Take a photo of where you're listening to the Fluent Show and share it on social media to say hello! Here's where you can tag me:

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thefluentshow


• Instagram: http://instagram.com/kerstin_fluent/ and #thefluentshow

Love the show? Rate & Review it here

Links:

• Ending & honoring our volunteer Contributor program — A listener supplied this article to show that Duolingo no longer has volunteer course creators. Thanks!
• My Bonuses for Lindsay Williams' Online Teaching Starter Kit — Aspiring language teachers: Navigate the online teaching world in the best possible way with Lindsay's Online Teaching Starter Kit and click here to secure my Bonus Pack while you're at it!
• Duolingo Events — Make up your own mind about this one 😞(while they take 20%)