How to teach languages using digital tools

It is not always easy for a teacher to keep up with the digital skills required to keep a classroom motivated, engaged and enthusiast when it comes to teaching languages. Using technology in language learning allows students to assume an active role, to communicate and cooperate with their classmates. Technological tools in support of language learning can be used for a variety of purposes such as introducing a new subject or summing up an old one, customizing lessons and tasks and challenging the students to create their own work in order to engage their creativity.
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The latest edition of the course “Teaching languages in the digital era: the best apps, web platforms and ICT solutions for learning languages​” took place in Palermo from 10/11/2024 to 16/11/2024. The participants came from all Europe, with Agnieszka and Dariusz from Szkoła Podstawowa nr 5im. Polskiej Macierzy Szkolnejw Czeladzi in Poland, Inke from Dietrich-Bonhoe er-Gymnasium in Germany, Kristian, Øystein, and Anders from Hønefoss Videregåend eskole in Norway and last but not least, Veronika from Kanepi Gümnaasium in Estonia. 

​In this course, participants learned how to use a variety of digital tools and integrate them into their teaching practices. These tools are valuable not only for enhancing engagement and motivation but also for tracking progress in areas such as vocabulary acquisition, communication, and individual tasks.

​Thanks to this course the participants engaged in many practical activities and experienced these tools first-hand. Participants explored the creation of collaborative digital boards to share content and materials with their students, and how to create interactive presentations and digital brainstorming. Moreover, they competed in a live quiz while learning how to create interactive language quizzes by using web applications and gamified tools. Quiz flashcards can be useful to increase students’ vocabulary and spelling skills. The participants also learned about tools that allow the user to outline and recap the contents of the lesson and prepare grammar presentations, pose questions and monitor students’ attention in the classroom, especially during these times where distance learning is very common. 

The participants also discovered the use of artificial intelligence and AI powered tools to quickly create activities, worksheets and materials to use and share with their students. Such tools can be used in fact for a variety of purposes: preparing multimedia content, introducing a new topic or summing up an old one, revising grammar, expanding the vocabulary and assessing students with formative assessment.

Learning a new language can be difficult, but with the right tools and the integration of technology in the classroom, it’s clear that motivation, focus, engagement, and learning abilities can be greatly improved, transforming a typical lesson into a truly immersive experience.

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Discover more about this course here.