Responsible generative AI use is encouraged as it can be used as an effective learning tool and will prepare students for a future in which generative AI is common.
Language learning is an intense skill development process which requires immense amounts of time and focus. While generative AI can reduce the amount of time and effort required to acquire materials, explanations, feedback, content, etc., it should not replace student effort.
Benefits
- Large Language Model - inherently language-centered
- Brainstorming: generating activities, topics, prompts, exercises, etc.
- Content creation: images, audio, dialogues, readings, etc.
- Personalized Learning – AI can generate customized exercises, vocabulary lists, and explanations tailored to individual students’ proficiency levels and learning styles.
- Instant, automated feedback and assessments – AI-powered tools can provide real-time corrections on grammar, pronunciation, and writing, helping students improve quickly.
- Accessible Practice – Students can practice speaking, writing, and reading outside of class with AI tutors, reducing reliance on instructor availability.
- Language Exposure – AI can simulate real-world conversations, expose students to dialectal variations, and provide cultural context.
Limitations
- Academic dishonesty
- Decreased relevance of language programs
- Bias and stereotypes
- Lack of corpora for languages with less text on the internet
- Hallucinations (especially in the case of smaller corpora)
- Language sovereignty - not all language groups want their language fed into a large language model owned by a corporation which profits from it.
- Environmental aspect (not specifically language related)
Incorporating Generative AI into Language Instruction
The following actions help language faculty to integrate generative AI into their classes.
- Develop a Generative AI Policy for your classes so that students are aware of how you expect them to use this technology
- Read the relevant research on generative AI in language classes
- Learn about generative AI use cases
- Explore generative AI tools that can be used for language instruction
- Use existing support from the CLS for generative AI