AI enhances learning in Languages

By Elaine Kelly | Posted: Thursday December 5, 2024

Much has been made of the negative impact of AI tools on the educational environment but there are a number of tools which can enhance learning.

Students in Languages continue to enjoy using many online tools and in Term 4 we used some great AI technology to make the final speaking and writing assessment a bit more fun! After boys had written about their school or free time, they then use Adobe Express Animate My Voice to create a character for themselves and record their own voice. Young language learners are often reluctant to speak in front of others or show their face on a recording. This tool allowed the boys some anonymity. Here are a few examples of their work.

Click here to access student work

Year 10 has also been discovering the useful ways we can use AI in languages, using Mizou to have discussions with chatbots on aspects of French and German history. Use this link or scan the QR code below if you want to try this out for yourself. You might want to read up on the French Revolution first!

This year has also seen the introduction of the new Level 1 with a much greater emphasis on spontaneous conversation. Year 11 has risen well to this challenge, getting some great results in these internals. All senior Languages classes participated in the annual Dunedin-wide French and German camps, when we came together with senior students from other schools and representatives from French and German cultural associations for an immersive overnight camp on the Taieri, at Camp Tirohanga.

One lucky senior student had an amazing experience over the summer holidays between finishing Year 12 and starting Year 13. We were able to arrange for Freddie Hore to attend an international language school in Nice in the South of France. Freddie undertook a course of French lessons over 7 weeks and he stayed with a local French family. This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for Freddie and his French improved enormously during his time there.

Excitingly, the department is planning its first overseas trip for several years. In 2026, boys from OBHS will head off to France to participate in the French Language and Culture Tour which will include touring the top sites of Paris and experiencing an exchange homestay in Lyon with some time in a French Lycee and private language lessons. If you have expressed interest in this tour but have not yet enrolled, please do so soon, if you can. This will help us have an idea of potential numbers.

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