Over the years the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) has become increasingly complex, impacted by evolving educational practices, technological advancements, and shifting linguistic landscapes. Key challenges today include fostering multilingualism and inclusion, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), addressing the role of English as a lingua franca and implementing both Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and English Medium Instruction (EMI). Each of these areas has implications upon how English is taught and learnt, calling for new strategies and perspectives. Today, English is not taught in isolation but rather within a multilingual context. In many classrooms, students bring diverse linguistic backgrounds, which presents unique challenges and opportunities. Educators need to adopt inclusive teaching practices that leverage multilingualism as an asset rather than a barrier. According to Escobar and Dooly (2023), multilingual classrooms promote better cognitive development and enable students to transfer knowledge between languages, fostering a deeper understanding of content. Teaching in these environments, however, also requires additional skills and resources, as language instructors must find ways to balance the different linguistic needs of students while maintaining English proficiency as a learning outcome. The rapid, unceasing rise of AI presents both promise and challenges for the teaching and learning of English. AI tools can support language learning by offering personalized feedback, enabling practice, and allowing self-regulation (British Council, 2023). Tools such as Grammarly and other language-specific AI applications have been shown to enhance learners’ grammatical accuracy and vocabulary (Lo, 2023). AI-driven tools can also help students develop speaking skills by providing real-time feedback on pronunciation, pitch, and intonation (Shivakumar et al., 2019). It must be said, however, that while AI can enhance learning, it cannot replace the nuanced, context-driven guidance provided by human teachers (Wei, 2023).
Reimagining language education today
Bronwen Hughes
2025-01-01
Abstract
Over the years the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) has become increasingly complex, impacted by evolving educational practices, technological advancements, and shifting linguistic landscapes. Key challenges today include fostering multilingualism and inclusion, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), addressing the role of English as a lingua franca and implementing both Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and English Medium Instruction (EMI). Each of these areas has implications upon how English is taught and learnt, calling for new strategies and perspectives. Today, English is not taught in isolation but rather within a multilingual context. In many classrooms, students bring diverse linguistic backgrounds, which presents unique challenges and opportunities. Educators need to adopt inclusive teaching practices that leverage multilingualism as an asset rather than a barrier. According to Escobar and Dooly (2023), multilingual classrooms promote better cognitive development and enable students to transfer knowledge between languages, fostering a deeper understanding of content. Teaching in these environments, however, also requires additional skills and resources, as language instructors must find ways to balance the different linguistic needs of students while maintaining English proficiency as a learning outcome. The rapid, unceasing rise of AI presents both promise and challenges for the teaching and learning of English. AI tools can support language learning by offering personalized feedback, enabling practice, and allowing self-regulation (British Council, 2023). Tools such as Grammarly and other language-specific AI applications have been shown to enhance learners’ grammatical accuracy and vocabulary (Lo, 2023). AI-driven tools can also help students develop speaking skills by providing real-time feedback on pronunciation, pitch, and intonation (Shivakumar et al., 2019). It must be said, however, that while AI can enhance learning, it cannot replace the nuanced, context-driven guidance provided by human teachers (Wei, 2023).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
