Language Learning Technology Integration

Virtual Reality to Improve Language Teaching and Learning Experiences 🤖 Over the past week, I engaged with our dedicated CAC educators during some training sessions on Virtual Reality (VR) as part of our ongoing commitment to innovation at CAC - Eurocentres Colombia. This session was about introducing a new technology and exploring its potential to transform the English learning experience in our classrooms and community. We covered the best practices for integrating VR into our English programs, it was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and curiosity of our teachers. We discussed how VR can make abstract concepts tangible, bring distant cultures closer, and create immersive environments that deepen understanding. The discussions were rich, and filled with ideas on how to align these experiences with our curriculum and how to best support our CAC students’ language learning journeys. Training educators with new methodologies and tools, like VR, is essential in the education field where students usually look for new ways to learn and improve their skills. As educators, we have a great responsibility to keep up with technological advancements and resources that support and make us excel in our roles. When we are confident in using new tools and methodologies, we can create more engaging, effective, and inclusive learning experiences for our students. In terms of the benefits of integrating VR into the classroom, I highlight three of them: 🗣 Immersive Language Practice: VR allows learners to engage in realistic simulations of real-world environments, where they can practice English in context. 🌎 Cultural Exposure: VR can transport learners to different countries and cultural settings, allowing them to experience and understand the cultural nuances of English-speaking regions. 🔝 Engagement and Motivation: The interactive and visually engaging nature of VR makes language learning more enjoyable and motivating. All these sessions with the teachers were friendly reminders of the power of collaboration and continuous learning. As we get more motivated to explore and integrate innovative approaches, I am confident that our team will lead the way in setting new standards for language education.  This is beyond teaching and learning English, this is about creating a better future for our students and increasing the quality of education. #vr #innovation #learnenglish #virtualeducation #caceurocentres

AI is quickly becoming a powerful partner in language learning. I recently shared a practical guide on AI in Language Teaching, and here are a few highlights that teachers might find helpful. • Speaking feels less intimidating: Tools like ELSA Speak offer instant pronunciation feedback, and ChatGPT voice mode allows students to practice conversations until they feel ready to try them with real people. • Writing becomes more accessible: Grammarly and Cambridge’s Write & Improve give immediate corrections, while tools like QuillBot suggest richer vocabulary and rephrasing so students can express themselves with confidence. • Reading grows more personalized: Platforms such as Newsela and Brisk Teaching adjust text levels in real time, and LingQ helps students meet new words inside meaningful reading passages. Of course, AI is not a magic fix. It can feel mechanical, it cannot provide real emotional support, and it sometimes favors dominant language varieties over regional ones. That is where teachers come in, adding the human touch and guiding students to use these tools critically and creatively. If you teach languages, this is a good moment to try a small experiment. Use a pronunciation tool for one lesson, or set up a chatbot role-play for a speaking activity. Then watch how students respond and build from there. #LanguageTeaching #AIinEducation #EdTech #AIforTeachers #MedKharbach #EducatorsTechnology

👩🏫 🤖 Educators must go beyond prompt engineering! As educators, we must embrace AI literacy to enhance our teaching practices, foster student engagement, and prepare our learners for the future. AI literacy encompasses not only an understanding of the technology itself but also the pedagogical and content knowledge required to leverage it effectively. This is where the concept of Intelligent TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) comes into play. i-TPACK provides a framework for integrating technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge in a meaningful and cohesive manner. While (very popular) prompt engineering, the art of crafting effective prompts for AI models, is undoubtedly valuable, it is essential to start with a solid foundation in i-TPACK. By developing a deep understanding of how AI can intersect with pedagogy and content knowledge, teachers can unlock new possibilities for personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and innovative instructional approaches. Let me give you a real-life example of i-TPACK: The use of AI-powered language learning apps that analyze students' pronunciation and grammar in real-time. This not only provides instant feedback but also allows teachers to tailor instruction based on individual student needs. Embracing AI literacy through the lens of i-TPACK is a crucial step in our journey, if we would like us and our students to become AI literate. #AILiteracy #Education #EdTech #TPACK #iTPACK #AITPACK

Could a new layer of openness help unlock truly adaptive learning? Most learning materials still come in a single flavour: one language, one reading or grade level, one version for all. Open Educational Resources (OER) made a leap forward with free, openly licensed, remixable content. Yet most OER remain ‘fixed’, to be used ‘as is’. 𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐦 With AI tools, this is changing. For example, UNICEF’s Accessible Digital Textbooks tool can already convert a single source file into multiple languages and accessible formats for learners with disabilities. Prompts can provide deeper personalisation, and emerging prompt libraries are a good start. But what if we reimagined prompts in the spirit of OER? What if they were openly licensed, shared, remixed and iteratively improved? This leads to a question:  𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 (𝐎𝐋𝐏)? Picture prompts not as one-liners, but as modular, openly licensed learning objects that span subject areas, contexts, themes, and pedagogical models. They could: ● Live in a public, version‑controlled repository under open licences, where community feedback and up‑votes both surface the most effective versions and guide ongoing iteration ● Adapt automatically to learner and teacher profiles (such as language, reading level, accessibility needs, preferred themes and other interests) ● Support peer review, localisation, reuse across platforms, and model-agnostic design ● Integrate with national digital learning systems rather than sitting on the side‑lines We’re already seeing glimpses - like Gemini Gems and custom GPTs that package multi-step logic. But combining open licensing, profile-aware design, cross-platform integration, and iterative improvement could unlock more meaningful, accessible and scalable personalisation across contexts. There would be many challenges, of course: digital divides, bias in outputs, language limitations, and - who builds and maintains it? Would love to hear from others - educators, developers, AI practitioners, accessibility advocates, startups, and anyone exploring the intersection of learning and technology: What might help - or hinder - such a system to accelerate personalised learning opportunities across different contexts?

How is AI transforming foreign language education? In our latest Silver Lining for Learning episode, experts Nicole Mills, Arnaud Dressen, and Hannah Kim share their research on AI-powered writing companions for language learners. Their study reveals key insights about student engagement, confidence, and the surprising finding that enjoyment matters more than making AI seem human-like. This conversation explores how thoughtful AI design grounded in strong pedagogy can reshape language learning. Discover practical applications and important considerations for educators looking to integrate these tools effectively. Watch Episode 230 of Silver Lining for Learning with Yong Zhao, Chris Dede, Curtis Bonk and Lydia Cao, PhD.  Link to the podcast in the comments, since LinkedIn seems to deprioritize posts with links in them.