AI has been considered the most important technological advance in decades. It’s used in healthcare, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and several other industries. But we work in language education, so let’s explore ways of using AI in language learning and teaching.
Using AI in Language Learning: Adaptive Learning Platforms
Imagine having a system that, thanks to AI, offers your students personalised learning experiences and feedback based on their individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses.
The platform doesn’t teach the same thing to everyone in the same way. Instead, it collects data and continuously adapts to the student’s performance to “decide” how to best help the learner.
That’s what an adaptive learning platform is.
Why is this technology becoming so important in education?
This is where adaptive learning platforms come in.
The goal is not to replace teachers. The goal is to explore the potential of using AI in language learning to support our students. Research tells us there are benefits to this.
A 2024 systematic review of 85 studies on AI-driven e-learning tools revealed that “AI can help improve student performance, engagement, and motivation.”
Another comprehensive review of 112 studies on adaptive learning technology concluded that “[a]dopting an adaptive learning system is difficult to deploy, [but] because the successful adoption of adaptive learning will give a high return for students, institutions, and the area economy, adaptable learning is worth the effort.”
If you believe that education should not operate on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, adaptive learning platforms are AI tools for teaching English as a second language that you might want to investigate.
Interested in learning more? Explore Express DigiPlus, our adaptive learrning platform, for all ages and levels.
AI-powered Chatbots
Using AI in language learning has also involved the adoption of AI-powered chatbots to help students improve their writing and speaking skills.
When it comes to writing, there’s evidence suggesting that tools like ChatGPT can act as flexible writing assistants for students.
These chatbots allow writers to get useful suggestions on grammar, vocabulary, style, and other aspects of a text. They can also help writers access feedback at the point of need.
Aren’t these useful tools that promote autonomous learning too? Education researchers believe so.
AI chatbots have also been shown to be effective conversation partners for EFL learners.
In 2022, South Korean researchers developed a task-based voice chatbot called “Ellie” and asked more than 300 EFL students aged 10 to 15 to perform 3 speaking tasks in class. The results of the study showed that the students enjoyed interacting with the AI tool, which engaged them in conversations more actively than is typically seen in general EFL classes in South Korea.
You may say, “Do we really need a robot to get our students to speak English?” No. But students who don’t live in English speaking countries often complain about not having anyone to speak with, especially outside classroom time. Imagine how much practice an AI chatbot could offer them.
Some of these apps provide real-time corrective feedback too. And because the corrections come from a machine rather than a human, they may have less of a negative impact on students’ confidence and self-esteem.
I’ve already shown my students how to practice their speaking with AI. If you haven’t done that, would you be willing to help your students practise speaking and writing with ChatGPT?
Final Words on Using AI in Language Learning
You might have read stories of students using ChatGPT to cheat in homework assignments and exams, so you may be sceptical about the use of AI tools for learning and teaching English as a second language.
If this is how you feel, keep in mind that what produces positive or negative effects on learning is the way we use AI – not AI itself.
Keep also in mind that this technology is here to stay. Instead of fighting it, we could train our students to make the most of it so they can advance their learning. Some schools and institutions (like the University of Helsinki and Norwich Institute for Language Education) are actively encouraging students and teachers to do so.
You can do the same. You can establish rules for using AI in language learning and introduce best practices for AI in your classes.
When they know how to use it effectively, the advantages this technology could bring to your students may be extraordinary.
About the author:
Fabio Cerpelloni is a non-native English teacher and a writer. His credentials include a Cambridge CELTA and a Delta, and he is currently working on his MA thesis in Language Education.
Beyond the classroom, Fabio is a freelance writer, author, blogger, and podcaster. Currently based in Cogliate, Italy, Fabio is also the author of the book 'Any Language You Want,' which is heading towards a second edition.
