Innovate to Educate: U.S. Projects Shaping English Teaching Technology Worldwide

Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)- Stage. Meet the presenters!

Content: Welcome and overview of the session, introduction of the playground coordinator and presenters.

Engagement: "Passports" handed out to participants as they enter with activities to do at each station and stage.

Strand 1: AI-supported strategies for low-stress language practice
Content: Presentations on strategies for safe, low-stress language practice for Multilingual Learners.
Stage and Stations: Live demonstrations of AI projects.
Possible ideas: Presenter-led demos with Q&A, followed by a hands-on activity where participants take part in a low-stress language learning activity.

Strand 2: Digital tools for collaborative learning

Content: Overview of digital tools for collaborative learning, including innovative examples for contexts around the globe.

Stage and Stations: Interactive demos of digital collaboration tools.

Possible ideas: Presentations with real-time collaboration by participants working on mini-projects, followed by a group discussion on potential uses and challenges.

Strand 3: Low-Tech Solutions
Content: Strategies for effective language teaching using low-tech adaptations to edtech innovations for low-resource contexts.
Stage and Stations: Case studies from presenters in low-resource environments.
Possible ideas: Short presentations on the stage followed by breakout groups to brainstorm and share low-tech solutions.

Strand 4: Student-led creative expression projects

Content: Integrating creative expression projects with language education to foster interdisciplinary learning.

Possible ideas: Interactive workshop where participants work in small groups to design a digital story, animation, graphic design, or song.

Conclusion and Call to Action (Stage- stations are closed, everyone goes to the stage)
Content: Facilitator hands out prizes for participants who gained the most stamps on their passports based on their interactions with presenters at stages and stations.

Facilitator shares a summary of key takeaways and congratulatory remarks, making herself available for Q and A after the session closes.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to implement AI-supported strategies for safe, low-stress language practice to enhance language learning and student engagement.

After this session, participants will be able to use digital tools for collaborative learning to improve language instruction.

After this session, participants will be able to apply low-tech solutions effectively in various educational settings to support language learning.

After this session, participants will be able to implement student-led creative expression projects to foster interdisciplinary learning and creativity.

Supporting research

Bui, Hung Phu, Raghvendra Kumar, and Nilayam Kumar Kamila, editors. Innovations and Applications of Technology in Language Education. Springer, 2023.

“Educational Technology.” TESOL International Association, 2023. https://www.tesol.org/blog/blog-categories/educational-technology/

“ELT EdTech Toolkit: EdTech for English Teaching Excellence.” TESOL International Association, 2025. https://www.tesol.org/elt-toolkit/

Nguyen, Loc Tan. “Professional Learning for CALL Teachers: A Research-Based Approach.” SpringerLink, 2023.

Sartor, Valerie. “Digital Age Pedagogy: Easily Enhance Your Teaching Practice with Technology.” American English, 2023.
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/etf_58_3_pg02-09.pdf

Tafazoli, Dara. “Critical Appraisal of Artificial Intelligence-Mediated Communication in Language Education.” SpringerLink, 2023.

The Cambridge Handbook of Technology in Language Teaching and Learning. Cambridge University Press, 2023.

Warner, Brent. “AI for Language Learning: ChatGPT and the Future of ELT.” TESOL International Association, 2022. https://www.tesol.org/blog/posts/ai-for-language-learning-chatgpt-and-the-future-of-elt/

Warner, Brent. “Using AI to Build Learning, not Bypass It: 3 Ways to Focus on Process Over Product” TESOL International Association, 2025.
https://www.tesol.org/blog/posts/using-ai-to-build-learning-not-bypass-it-3-ways-to-focus-on-process-over-product/