Beyond AI Avatars: Human Creativity and Community Drive Language Learning Innovation at EdTechX Summit
AI avatars aid language learning but can't replace the social connection learners seek. Human tutors and creative, personalized courses remain essential for success.
EdTechX Summit in London: Beyond AI Avatars in Language Learning
AI-powered avatars are becoming common in language education, but an expert panel at the EdTechX Summit in London highlighted other important innovations improving language learning experiences.
Community Matters More Than Avatars
Harel Tayeb, CEO of eTeacher, stressed that learners often seek community alongside new language skills. AI avatars, while helpful, don’t fully meet this social need. He acknowledged that AI tutors can accelerate learning and shared that eTeacher is using AI to animate courses and integrate various tools effectively.
Balancing AI with Human Tutors
Toby Mather, Product Director at Novakid, pointed out the limitations of current AI avatars, describing some as poor quality. Novakid maintains a large team of 3,000 human tutors while incorporating AI to support learning, not replace teachers. Following their acquisition of Lingumi, which offers AI-assisted lessons for young children, Novakid plans to launch a self-led learning product this year.
Focusing on Personalization and Role-Play
Daryna Mednikova, Chief Product Officer at Promova, argued that AI avatars add little value compared to creative course design. Promova uses AI to personalize learning goals and create role-play scenarios, encouraging learners to solve problems in their target language.
Experimenting with AI Tutoring at Scale
Lee Schuneman from Efekta Education Group warned that AI avatars can fail if poorly implemented but emphasized the need to experiment. Efekta recently launched the largest global AI tutoring trial for English learners in Latin America, involving up to four million students and their teachers. The trial aims to improve English proficiency and reduce teacher workload by integrating AI with classroom instruction. Schuneman highlighted that a strong curriculum remains essential.
Key Takeaways for Educators
- AI avatars can speed up language learning but don’t replace the social aspect of learning.
- Human tutors still play a critical role and AI should supplement, not substitute, teaching.
- Creative course design and personalized learning experiences add more value than avatars alone.
- Large-scale AI trials show promise but must be paired with quality curricula to succeed.
For educators interested in integrating AI tools effectively, exploring practical AI training can provide valuable insights and skills. Check out Complete AI Training’s latest courses to understand how AI can support teaching and learning.
