Impacts of AI on teaching in an EFL classroom

 After reading the section on Artificial Intelligence (AI) (pages 21 -25) on the New Media Consortium / Educause New Horizons Report 2024, I started reflecting on the impacts of AI on teaching in an EFL classroom. My school is based in a rural area of Vietnam, where students generally lack the motivation and resources to learn English. From my experience, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to profoundly impact the teaching of English in places like mine, both in the near and far future. In the short term, AI tools can facilitate more personalized learning experiences. There are different language learning apps and platforms equipped with AI that can assess students’ proficiency levels and adapt lessons to meet their specific needs. This individualized approach helps address the challenges posed by large class sizes and varying language abilities, ensuring that each student receives targeted support. I have instructed my students to use Duolingo and ReadTheory, both of which assign appropriate exercises to the students based on their levels.

Moreover, AI can enhance teacher effectiveness by automating various tasks such as producing materials, grading, and lesson planning. This allows educators like me to focus more on interactive teaching methods and student engagement. In fact, I have saved so much time since the appearance of generative AI like Bing Chat and Chat GPT.

Looking further ahead, the integration of advanced AI technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, could create immersive learning environments. Students will be able to engage in simulated real-world scenarios, which would enhance their language skills in meaningful contexts.

To sum up, I believe that AI will empower teachers and students alike, paving the way for a more proficient and confident generation of English speakers.