MultilinguA.I.: AI in language teaching

How is artificial intelligence (AI) changing everyday school life - and what does the use of this new technology mean for language learning? Students from two vocational schools are tackling this question in the new citizen science project ‘MultilinguA.I.’. Together with researchers from the University of Vienna, they are testing how so-called Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT can support French and Chinese lessons.

The students are participating in the project not only as learners, but also as researchers. In group discussions, they share their experiences and ideas on the use of AI in the classroom. They then explore how ChatGPT can be used as a foreign language conversation partner or as a grammar and vocabulary helper. The students' feedback - including their emotional experience in the learning situation - is directly incorporated into the scientific analyses.

The aim of the project is not only to gain a better understanding of the potential uses of AI in foreign language teaching, but also to promote important skills such as digital expertise, learner autonomy and critical thinking. By working closely with the research team of the University of Vienna, the students also gain an insight into scientific working methods.

As a result, a digital and openly accessible collection of learning tasks is being created together with the teachers and students of the partner schools, which should enable the conscious and meaningful use of LLMs in language lessons.

Further information on the project