As teachers, should we encourage students to use AI, or discourage it?
Personally, I think we should help them use it properly. There’s a difference between using AI to practise and letting it do all the thinking for you.
What I still notice in lessons
When I sit with a student, I still pick up more mistakes and explain more of what needs improving than the AI transcription tools I’ve used. They miss things I notice in the conversation.
That’s my experience with the tools I’ve tried, rather than a claim about every AI system. A transcript can be useful, but I also listen for what the student is trying to say and ask questions when something isn’t clear.
But that might change. If those tools get much better, we could be in trouble if correcting mistakes is all we offer.
The experience we give our students
I think our biggest strength is the experience we give our students. Our personalities, humour, encouragement and knowing when someone needs a push or a bit of patience.
After 13 years of teaching, I’ve seen how much that connection matters. Students often become more willing to speak because they feel comfortable with you.
A good lesson gives someone space to try, get things wrong, ask questions and have another go. The way we respond can make a real difference to whether they keep trying.
Useful practice or an answer on autopilot?
Imagine a learner preparing to explain a delayed project to their manager. They could ask an AI tool to write the whole explanation, then read it aloud. The result might sound polished, but it wouldn't tell us much about what they can say independently.
I'd rather they try first: “The project is behind schedule because…” Then they can use a tool to explore alternative wording and explain which version actually matches their meaning. The difficult bit — making the decision — still belongs to the learner.
How I’d use AI as a tool
AI can be useful for extra practice between lessons. A student could rehearse a conversation, explore different wording or ask for an explanation, then bring anything confusing into our next lesson.
I’d still want them to explain their choices and use the language themselves. If AI writes every answer, it becomes much harder to see what the student can actually do.
I’m happy to use it, but I still want my students thinking, questioning and finding their own words.
How are you using AI with your students, and where do you draw the line?