Here we are in a brave new world – one where people find it hard to read books, barely remember what a newspaper is, often learn languages in isolation, and pour their hearts out to AI chatbots.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to pass judgment, especially because I’m one of those people myself. Do I ever stop to ask whether it’s a good thing? All the time.
I see the charm of crisp pages and reading in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea. I value journalism and don’t confuse it with vlogging. I understand that practicing a language with real people is far more rewarding than producing endless monologues with no one to respond. And I believe that a good therapist is a true gem, because in the end, it’s the human connection that heals.
But what about blogs in this confusing new era, when you can ask virtually any question and get an instant answer without even opening a search engine?
I’ve been blogging for ten years now. Back in 2016, no one could have imagined the kind of AI tools available to us in 2026. Since I intend to keep blogging, I’ve found myself thinking about why I should continue and why people might still benefit from reading good old-fashioned blogs.
I hope this resonates with those of you reading this post and sparks a discussion. If you have thoughts to share, please do. After all, that’s one of the reasons blogs should continue to exist, isn’t it?
The blog you’re visiting now is aimed at language learners, particularly upper-intermediate and advanced ones. I’m one of them myself. I write about topics that spark my interest and create posts I’d like to revisit later when needed.
I know there are many people like me who can use this content to refine their grammar, expand their vocabulary, and improve other language skills. I genuinely enjoy the thought that my readers might learn a thing or two alongside me.
Of course, many of those same learners can now turn to ChatGPT and make the process far more personalized. They can ask the exact questions they want answered, focus on the areas they find difficult, and explore topics that pique their curiosity. There is tremendous value in that, and I use AI extensively myself. In fact, I actively encourage language learners to make the most of these tools and enrich their learning journey with them.
At the same time, I’d like to encourage learners to keep blogs in their toolbox as well.
First, a blog can introduce topics they might never have thought to explore on their own.
Second, it can present information in a contextualized, holistic way all in one post – from authentic examples of language in use to practice activities that offer several different types of exercises. You don’t have to spend time fine-tuning prompts or deciding what to ask next. Language blogs such as this one are created by experienced language teachers and learners who have already curated and organized the material for you.
Third, discussions with real people – whether the blog author or fellow readers – are still possible. Those conversations can lead to unexpected and wonderful outcomes, such as meeting like-minded people who share your interests and passions.
And finally, a few words for those who blog themselves and are increasingly worried about dwindling visitor numbers and discouraging statistics.
Cheer up, fellow bloggers.
I know many of you have worked hard to turn your writing into a source of income, and the new trends we’re seeing are a force to be reckoned with. I sincerely wish you success and hope you’ll find ways to keep earning from the work you love.
As for me, blogging has always been a hobby. And to those who are in the same boat, I say: let’s keep doing it simply because we enjoy it. Let’s keep writing because it feels good. Satisfaction isn’t always measured in numbers. If we’ve reached and helped even a handful of people, that’s success – at least in my book, and a good enough reason to carry on. So carry on, my friend!
Enguroo Online English School 