How to Teach a Second Language Using AI: Learning Products from Israeli Student Teachers

In a world where technology shapes every aspect of life, educators are tasked with integrating innovative tools into their teaching methods. This pilot course, “Being an Educator – My Toolbox” led by Mr. Idan Shavit as part of the “Netivim” program at Kaye College of Education in Israel, aimed to equip emerging educators from the Bedouin community with practical technological and pedagogical skills. The course blended theoretical understanding with hands-on practice, encouraging participants to explore the potential of AI in modern education.

The Core Assignment: Designing AI-Enhanced Lesson Plans

One of the key assignments in the course challenged participants to create a three-part lesson plan that demonstrates how AI can be effectively incorporated into teaching. Each lesson plan followed this structure:

1. Introduction to New Knowledge: Laying the groundwork for learning a new concept or skill.
2. Hands-On Experimentation: Encouraging students to actively engage with an AI tool to deepen their understanding.
3. Application and Reflection: Using the AI tool to reinforce and connect the newly acquired knowledge to practical tasks.

The process required participants to utilize AI throughout their planning stages, refining their ideas through iterative feedback and critical thinking.

A Practical Example: Teaching Vocabulary Through AI

As an example, one group developed a lesson plan using the story “Apartment for Rent” to teach new vocabulary. Here’s how they structured the learning experience:

• Step 1: Introducing Vocabulary
  Pupils were introduced to key words from the story, learning their meanings and contexts.
• Step 2: Creating Visual Representations
  Using an AI image generator, pupils brought these words to life by generating visual representations of the vocabulary.
• Step 3: Refining and Applying Knowledge
  Pupils refined their AI-generated images, aligning them more closely with the meanings of the words. This process not only reinforced vocabulary retention but also encouraged creativity and active participation.

This example highlights how AI can turn traditional lessons into interactive, engaging experiences.

Conclusion

This pilot course showcased how student teachers can use AI tools to design creative and effective methods for teaching a second language.