“Our profession is truly at an inflection point…we urgently need to articulate and communicate the value of language study in a social context, identify what technology offers that is positive for language education, rethink how we organize our teaching in light of technology’s affordances, and be clear about what technology cannot do” (Kern, 2024, p. 516).
Recognizing the potential affordances–and the many potential pitfalls and ethical concerns–posed by generative artificial intelligence to collegiate language education, the Language Institute is hosting a series of events and other forms of programming to provide a forum for UW–Madison language educators and researchers to critically engage with the affordances of generative AI for language teaching and learning. To date, this initiative, spearheaded by institute director Dianna Murphy, has included:
- A semester-long non-credit seminar for UW–Madison language educators, Generative AI and the Future of Language Education, based on readings and other assignments, lightning presentations, and guest lectures (Fall 2024)
- An Instructional Awards program for participants in the Fall 2024 seminar to pilot an instructional activity or develop instructional materials using generative AI, and then to share the outcomes of those projects with other language educators (Spring-Fall 2025)
- A hands-on workshop, Artificial Intelligence and Universal Design for Learning: Designing Language Learning for All , for UW–Madison+ language educators (Spring 2025)