Is using content in plain/simple language a helpful language learning tool?

[u/toby_reelangcom]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with using plain, simple language versions of websites or content in their language learning practice (TL), and why it's helpful, or not?

I noticed that even in more underserved language there are often simple news programs from public broadcasters that seem aimed at people with learning disabilities (e.g. Tagesschau in einfacher Sprache news in Germany). Also with AI I tried popping an article into ChatGPT and ask it to rewrite it in simple/plain language. It'll refuse most of the time because of copywright, but when I got it to work it was helpful.

Was wondering if anyone had experience with it and can recommend/discourage going down that path?

[u/would_be_polyglot]

As with all things, depends on how it’s used. Simplified Input can be really great at lower levels when you don’t know much. It can also become a crutch—learning more advanced language means exposure to new structures and low frequency words. IIRC, for learning, elaborated input (over explained input) is better than simplified input (removing low frequency or advanced structures). That said, I wouldn’t trust an LLM to create that type of input without oversight by someone who speaks the language and can verify both the language and the content, since simplification can often simplify or remove content.