embracing digital creativity in the esl/esol/tefl classroom

We can worry about replacing teachers with AI - or we can 'embrace' the technology:

How teachers say they're embracing AI in the classroom - ABC News

AI in the Adult Classroom: how to embrace personalised learning without losing control

The latest E L Gazette looks at how we might do this:

Firstly, then: What’s the real issue? AI or the task itself?:

In this exclusive interview, Fabio Cerpelloni sits down with Sophia Mavridi, a digital learning consultant, teacher educator, and senior lecturer specialising in educational technology, to discuss the role of AI in language education. Drawing on her research and classroom experience, Sophia highlights the importance of critical engagement with AI tools, the need to educate teachers – not just students – about technology, and the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating AI meaningfully into teaching and learning.

And then: Using digital tools to spark conversation in the EFL world:

Creativity fuelled by digital technology is transforming how EFL students learn, adapt, and connect with new languages and cultures. Henry Huang, an EFL teacher and digital humanities researcher, explains why.

Creativity in the classroom goes beyond artistic expression. It also plays a vital role in helping students develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and adaptability which is especially important for learners navigating new languages and cultural settings. Task-based learning (TBL) and project-based learning (PBL), which emphasise real-world tasks and collaborative learning, naturally support creative thinking. While these approaches may be well-established in some education systems, others are still working to meaningfully integrate them within the constraints of traditional structures and exam-oriented priorities.

In countries where high-stakes exams strongly influence teaching, education often focuses more on test preparation than on creativity or communication. Since speaking skills are not always prioritised in national exams, traditional methods like rote memorisation and grammar translation tend to persist. Though creativity is widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of the learning process (as seen in Bloom’s Taxonomy), integrating it meaningfully into English education remains a work in progress in many classrooms.

In education systems where digital tools are increasingly present, technology plays a growing role in shaping the EFL learning experience. It opens up new ways to engage learners in multimodal, interactive tasks that foster both language development and creativity. Whether it’s students designing visual projects, collaborating on video assignments, or reinforcing vocabulary with gamified apps, technology can support a richer learning experience than traditional methods often allow.

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