Abstract
The growth of generative artificial intelligence (for purposes of this chapter, “AI”) has created endless systems to utilize modern technological assistance in the educational arena. AI has the potential to significantly impact higher education by facilitating personalized development and knowledge sharing. There are many ways that AI can be leveraged to enhance the education process. This chapter will focus on second-language users and bilingual students learning new language concepts. Second language users can be defined as students in the language acquisition process. A bilingual student is any student who has already acquired a second language but needs to build on terminology in their field of study. AI can provide a functional teaching tool for educators to assist with building the required knowledge base. The premise is to embrace the tool—versus forbidding its use by students—to assist them in their educational growth.
TopUnderstanding Second-Language Users And Bilingual Students
Finding group instruction strategies to create learning outcomes as effective as one-on-one tutoring is the 2-sigma problem in education. Educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom first used the phrase in his study from 1984, The Search for Methods of Group Instruction as Effective as One-to-One Tutoring. According to Bloom's research, pupils who received one-on-one tutoring performed two standard deviations better on average than those who received regular group teaching (Bloom, 1984). One-on-one tutoring has several benefits that increase learning efficacy. These include individualized attention, prompt feedback, adaptive pacing, and training adapted to the student's needs (Saricaoglu, 2019). Tutors can pinpoint and fill in specific learning gaps, offer explanations tailored to each student's learning preferences, and modify the speed of instruction as necessary.
Although Bloom's 2-sigma dilemma is frequently discussed concerning general education and cognitive abilities, it can also be used in language acquisition. Finding instructional strategies that can produce learning outcomes like those obtained by one-on-one language tutoring is a challenge in language acquisition. These strategies may include the following:
Key Terms in this Chapter
Personal Development: Growth in personal skills, self-confidence, and empathy through language acquisition, enabling individuals to connect with diverse communities and build relationships across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Cognitive Benefits: Positive effects on cognitive development, including memory, problem-solving skills, multitasking abilities, attention, cognitive flexibility, and creative thinking, resulting from learning a second language.
Effect Analyses: Comprehensive assessments of how AI systems impact students and the learning process, including both intended and unintended consequences.
Adaptive Pacing: Adjusting the speed or pace of instruction to match the learner's progress and comprehension level.
Prompt Feedback: Giving timely and immediate responses and comments to students on their performance or work.
Adaptive Learning Systems: Educational platforms or tools that modify the curriculum, content, pace, and feedback based on individual learners' abilities, progress, and preferences.
Academic Performance: Improved educational achievement, often demonstrated by bilingual students or participants in bilingual education programs.
Cultural Understanding: Gaining a deeper appreciation and comprehension of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives through language learning, promoting intercultural communication and tolerance.
Speech Recognition Technology: AI-driven systems that analyze spoken language, provide feedback on pronunciation, and offer specific oral communication exercises.
Individualized Attention: Providing personalized and specific guidance and support to each student based on their unique needs, strengths, and weaknesses.