Enhancing Total Immersion: Leveraging AI, Including ChatGpt, in the EFL/ESL Classroom of 2023 (With a 90-Minute Lesson Plan)

Updated on August 29th, 2023

Table of Contents

PART 1: Enhancing Total Immersion: Leveraging AI, Including ChatGPT, in the EFL/ESL Classroom of 2023

PART 2: Lesson Plan: Total Immersion with AI in the EFL/ESL Classroom (B1 Level)

PART 1

Introduction: Total immersion, a popular language teaching method, immerses students in the target language to foster fluency, confidence, and cultural understanding. In 2023, with the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including ChatGPT, educators have an exciting opportunity to enhance the total immersion approach in the EFL/ESL classroom. By integrating AI technology, teachers can provide personalized language practice, interactive conversations, and instant feedback, enriching the language learning experience for students. This blog post explores how AI, specifically ChatGPT, can be effectively used alongside the total immersion method to create a more engaging, dynamic, and effective language learning environment. (1)

Conversational Practice and Language Engagement: AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can serve as virtual conversational partners for students, offering them the opportunity to engage in authentic language exchanges. By simulating real-life conversations, ChatGPT can provide students with interactive practice, overcoming the limitation of limited access to native speakers. Students can engage in dialogue, practice their speaking and listening skills, and receive instant responses that emulate natural conversations. This AI integration enhances total immersion by offering continuous language engagement and helping students build confidence in their conversational abilities. (2)
Instant Feedback and Language Accuracy: One challenge in total immersion is the lack of immediate feedback on language accuracy. AI technologies like ChatGPT can address this issue by providing instant feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. As students interact with ChatGPT, the system can identify errors, suggest corrections, and offer explanations, helping students refine their language skills. This real-time feedback allows for constant improvement, ensuring that students are aware of their language strengths and areas for development. Integrating AI into the total immersion approach empowers students to self-correct and progress in their language journey more effectively. (3)
Personalized Learning and Language Adaptation: AI technology allows for personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs, aligning well with the total immersion method. ChatGPT, with its machine learning capabilities, can adapt to students’ language proficiency levels and deliver appropriate language content and challenges. Through continuous interaction, ChatGPT can understand students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences, providing personalized exercises, resources, and prompts to optimize their language learning. This personalized approach promotes student engagement and maximizes learning outcomes within the total immersion framework. (4)
Cultural Context and Language Comprehension: Total immersion emphasizes cultural understanding alongside language acquisition. AI-powered language models like ChatGPT can provide valuable insights into the cultural context associated with the target language. By incorporating cultural data into the AI system, ChatGPT can offer information about traditions, customs, and societal norms, enriching students’ cultural knowledge. This integration ensures that language learning is not solely focused on linguistic competence but also encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances embedded in the language they are studying. AI augments total immersion by creating a holistic language-learning experience. (5)
Supplementary Learning Resources and Language Practice: AI technology in the form of language apps, online platforms, and ChatGPT can serve as valuable supplementary resources in total immersion classrooms. These resources offer additional language practice, vocabulary expansion, and cultural immersion opportunities beyond the classroom setting. Students can engage with AI tools during independent study time, reinforcing what they learn in class and expanding their language skills through interactive exercises, games, and simulations. The availability of AI-powered resources enhances total immersion by providing students with a wide range of accessible, engaging, and self-paced language learning materials. (6)

Conclusion: In the EFL/ESL classroom of 2023, the integration of AI, including ChatGPT, with the total immersion method opens up exciting possibilities for language teaching and learning. AI-powered tools offer students personalized language practice, immediate feedback, cultural context, and supplementary resources, enhancing the immersive experience. Educators can harness the power of AI to create a dynamic, engaging, and effective language learning environment that fosters fluency, cultural understanding, and student confidence. By leveraging AI alongside total immersion, educators can empower their students to navigate the complexities of language acquisition in the digital age and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

PART 2

A 90 min lesson plan for the B1 level.

Lesson Plan: Enhancing Total Immersion with AI in the EFL/ESL Classroom (B1 Level)

Duration: 90 minutes

Objective:

To introduce B1-level students to the concept of leveraging AI, including ChatGPT, for enhancing total immersion in language learning.
To provide students with opportunities to engage in interactive language practice, receive instant feedback, and explore cultural contexts using AI technology.

Materials:

Whiteboard or flipchart
Projector or computer for multimedia presentation
Handouts with conversation prompts and exercises
Access to an AI language model like ChatGPT

Procedure:

Introduction (10 minutes)

Greet the students and briefly explain the objective of the lesson.
Recap the concept of total immersion and its benefits in language learning.
Introduce the idea of leveraging AI, including ChatGPT, to enhance total immersion in the EFL/ESL classroom.

Multimedia Presentation: AI and Total Immersion (15 minutes)

Use a multimedia presentation to illustrate the role of AI in language learning and its potential for enhancing total immersion.
Highlight the features and benefits of ChatGPT, such as interactive conversation practice, instant feedback, personalized learning, and cultural context.

AI Interactive Conversation Practice (25 minutes)

Divide the students into pairs or small groups.
Provide each group with access to an AI language model like ChatGPT.
Assign conversation topics related to the B1 level language proficiency.
Instruct students to engage in interactive conversations with ChatGPT, practicing their speaking and listening skills.
Encourage students to ask questions, respond to prompts, and engage in authentic dialogues.
Monitor and provide assistance as needed.

Group Feedback and Discussion (15 minutes)

Ask each group to share their experiences and observations regarding the interactive conversation practice.
Lead a discussion on the benefits and challenges of using AI technology for language practice.
Encourage students to reflect on the advantages of instant feedback, personalized learning, and cultural context.

AI-Generated Writing Exercise (20 minutes)

Distribute handouts with writing prompts related to the B1 level.
Instruct students to write a short paragraph or essay using the AI language model for inspiration and assistance.
Remind them to focus on accuracy, coherence, and using newly learned vocabulary and grammar structures.
Monitor their progress and provide individual feedback as they complete the writing exercise.

Cultural Context Exploration with AI (15 minutes)

Use the AI language model to explore cultural contexts associated with the target language.
Guide a discussion on cultural practices, traditions, or current events related to the language being studied.
Encourage students to ask AI questions about cultural aspects and discuss their relevance to language learning.

Wrap-up and Reflection (10 minutes)

Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
Allow students to share their reflections on using AI to enhance total immersion.
Answer any questions and provide additional resources for students to explore AI in language learning.

Homework (5 minutes)

Assign homework tasks that encourage students to continue using AI language models for practice and exploration.
Provide suggestions for online resources or language learning apps that incorporate AI technology.

Note: The duration of each activity can be adjusted based on the classroom dynamics and students’ progress. It is important to ensure a balance between AI integration and human interaction in the language learning process.

References:

View of Teaching English in the Age of AI: Embracing Chatgpt to Optimize EFL Materials and Assessment. (n.d.). https://langedutech.com/letjournal/index.php/let/article/view/48/37 (accessed June 22, 2023).
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). How to use CHATGPT as a learning tool. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/chatgpt-learning-tool
Mohamed, A. M. (2023). Exploring the potential of an AI-based chatbot (CHATGPT) in enhancing English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching: Perceptions of EFL faculty members. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11917-z
Liu, L., Subbareddy, R., & Raghavendra, C. G. (2022). AI intelligence chatbot to improve students learning in the higher education platform. Journal of Interconnection Networks, 22(Supp02). https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219265921430325
Lingopie. (2023, January 23). Learn A Language with ChatGPT: Get to Know the Power of this Game-Changing AI. https://lingopie.com/blog/learn-a-language-with-chatgpt-get-to-know-the-power-of-this-game-changing-ai/
TEFL Course. (2023, April 28). Revolutionize Your EFL Lessons with ChatGPT: Creative Tips and Tricks for Teachers. https://www.teflcourse.net/blog/revolutionize-your-efl-lessons-with-chatgpt-creative-tips-and-tricks-for-teachers-ittt-tefl-blog/