Artificial Intelligence for Language Education (AILang) is a four-year project funded by the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML). It aims to empower teachers and learners of foreign languages to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively and ethically. To achieve this, the project investigates how AI tools can assist teachers in planning lessons, designing materials, and conducting formative assessments. It also explores ways to enable learners to responsibly utilize AI for higher-quality, autonomous language learning.
AILang at a glance
Duration
2024-2027
Funded by
ECML
The AILang team
The international project team combines the strengths of experienced language teacher educators from across Europe: Austria, Estonia, France and Greece. You can read more about us below.
What makes AILang important?
Foreign language education is at the cusp of a paradigm change. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence is seen as full of promise by some, but others view it as a major threat. The AI4FLE research project aims to sift through some of the mounting hype and scepticism, and to encourage the responsible and ethical use of the emerging AI tools and resources.
In collaboration with language teachers and teacher educators, we seek to understand how AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can support L2 teaching and learning. Teachers might use AI tools to generate a variety of learning resources. These include, for instance, native-like texts for teaching purposes, prompts, video and audio transcripts, comprehension questions, and grammar activities, as well as materials for differentiated learning. In addition, AI resources can support learners in organising learning. This could involve designing learning pathways that do not require much teacher input and feedback. In addition to the above, the project explores how to raise ethical awareness of sensitive issues connected to AI, such as academic malpractice.
In 2015, the UN member states agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. My work contributes towards the following Sustainable Development Goals.
Planned output
- A multilingual webpage showcasing useful AI applications and examples of usage
- A handbook for implementing AI in language education
- Dissemination resources (a multilingual flyer; a Moodle training course)
Updates
-
The Artificial Intelligence in Language Education (AI Lang) workshop
Notes about the ECML-organised Workshop of the AI Lang project (November 2025)
-
The AI ‘alignment problem’ in language education and applied linguistics
Drawing on a recent publication (Curry et al., 2025), this post reflects on how AI aligns (or fail to align?) with the epistemological, ontological, and ethical values of applied linguistics and language education.
-
Advancing the ECML Guidelines for language education
On 20 May 2024, the AI Lang team held a pivotal meeting to advance one of the project’s key objectives: the development of the ECML Recommendations for the Use of AI in Language Education. Here’s an update.
-
Language Education in an AI-Driven World: Reflections from the ECML Coordinators’ Meeting
The AI Lang project, presented at the ECML meeting in Graz, aims to enhance language education through AI by developing guidelines, training resources, and fostering collaboration among educators for future workshops.
-
The AI Lang BarCamp: AI for Language Education
An invitation to share your practical ideas about AI-assisted language education in a BarCamp (informal expert meeting) in November 2024.