The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in language teaching has revolutionised the way students and teachers interact with content during this digital age in which we are immersed. With the proliferation of online, blended and face-to-face courses, AI has emerged as an invaluable tool for optimising language learning and making it more personalised (more information in our “Education and AI” e-book). In this post, we will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming language teaching through online courses and the benefits it brings to educators.
Integrating artificial intelligence into language teaching
Artificial intelligence, a technology that simulates intelligent human behaviour, is being implemented in educational platforms to deliver personalised and effective learning experiences. It is not surprising that education is one of the areas most interested in taking advantage of this new technology, given its rapid expansion. Specifically, in language teaching, AI can be used to provide instant feedback, adapt content according to learners’ proficiency levels and offer contextualised practice.
Personalising learning with AI
One of the most outstanding advantages of integrating AI in online courses is the ability to personalise learning. AI algorithms analyse each student’s progress and preferences, allowing content and activities to be tailored to their individual needs. This personalisation increases motivation and learning effectiveness because learners feel more engaged after receiving relevant and challenging material.
Instant feedback for improved performance
Another key benefit of AI in language teaching is the possibility of receiving instant feedback. By analysing writing and speaking tasks, AI systems can identify grammatical errors, incorrect pronunciation and comprehension problems. This immediate feedback allows students to correct errors quickly and accurately, thus accelerating their progress in language proficiency. The comments on the exercises evaluated by AI in Dexway courses are always positive, not only pointing out the students’ mistakes, but also motivating them to improve by demonstrating how to correct the mistakes.
Optimising resources with AI
In addition to providing comprehensive, positive feedback, AI also optimises the resources available for language teaching. Virtual AI tutors can resolve each student’s queries in real time, while AI role-play exercises, such as those included in Dexway Fast English or Soft Skills courses, provide an opportunity for practice in a controlled, no-pressure environment. The latter contributes to what is commonly known as “letting go”, i.e. students often feel embarrassed or under pressure not to make a mistake when doing a practice exercise in front of a teacher or peers. However, this pressure disappears when the practice is undertaken freely with an artificial intelligence chatbot.
All these advantages are described in the publication “Education and AI” (2-22), in the magazine Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, from Standford University. It points to the pandemic as the spark that ignited the spread of AI and highlights its educational virtues:
Education is one domain where AI research has great potential to develop solutions that improve the daily experiences of students and lifelong learners –
– Peter Norvig, HAI Distinguished Education Fellow.
The last 1.5 years further stressed the demands for instructors, yielding a new need and opportunity for AI tutors that amplify the capacity of human teachers. Such AI teaching assistants can support students with many tasks, as well as automatically intelligently loop in human instructors at appropriate times
– Emma Brunskill, Assistant Professor of Computer Science; HAI Faculty Affiliate.
Ultimately, the act of integrating AI into online courses represents a significant advance in language education. With the personalisation of teaching, instant feedback and optimisation of resources, AI offers a more effective and accessible approach to mastering a new language. As this technology continues to develop, we can expect even more innovations that will transform the way we teach languages.
Therefore, we can conclude that artificial intelligence is not only changing the way we relate to technology, but also to its ability to customise learning, provide immediate feedback and optimise resources. These factors make it a remarkable tool in the field of language education and an ideal complement for the improvement of online courses.
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