The advantages of sitting an English language test in the AI Era

 


What has happened to the love of learning, reading, curiosity and self-development? Why should students and professionals still learn English and sit tests such as TOEIC in the age of AI?

I have been thinking about this lately. If AI can translate, write emails, prepare presentations and help us communicate in another language, what is the point of learning English? Why study hard, prepare for an exam and pay to prove your level? Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Official qualifications can be required. Employers, universities and other institutions may require an official language test for recruitment, admission, graduation or administrative purposes. A recognised qualification provides evidence of your proficiency.

2. Qualifications can make a difference in recruitment. Recruiters may screen applications against specific requirements. If a job requires a particular test or score, having it on your CV can help demonstrate that you meet the criteria.

3. Learning requires effort and practice. Preparing for a test means studying, practising and identifying areas for improvement. You cannot develop a skill simply by asking a machine to perform the task for you.

4. Language is more than translation. Understanding another language gives you access to different perspectives, cultures and ways of thinking. Translation tools can help you understand words, but cultural understanding requires more than vocabulary.

5. Learning develops independent judgement. Reading, listening to and analysing information in English exposes you to different viewpoints. It gives you more opportunities to question ideas, form opinions and defend your position.

6. English gives you greater independence in an international environment. When you understand English yourself, you can access information directly, assess sources, participate in discussions and communicate with others without always depending on an intermediary or a translation tool.

7. Using a skill is not the same as possessing it. AI can help you write an email, prepare a presentation or answer a question in English. But the result does not necessarily demonstrate that you could do it yourself. AI can help you prepare. But can you do it on your own?

Of course, a TOEIC or equivalent score does not automatically make you a good communicator. Nor does it mean you have mastered every nuance of the language, from idioms and metaphors to phrasal verbs. But learning a language and putting it into practice develops a foundation you can build on.

And perhaps this is the bigger question. If we increasingly rely on AI to do the thinking, writing and communicating for us, in our own language or another, what happens to our ability to do these things independently? AI can help us perform tasks. But we still need the knowledge and judgement to understand, question and evaluate what it produces. What do you think?

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© 2026 Brid Doherty-Appriou. "Third Culture Professionals"® is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.


Brid is a native English speaker, fluent in French, a graduate in both International Business Communication and in Instructional Design. She is also accredited (TEFL) to teach English as a foreign language. Her professional experience spans over 20 years in an international environment, working in CAC 40 communication groups and as a consultant in Executive Search.