The Best Research Out There On Using AI With English Language Learners

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The Best Research Out There On Using AI With English Language Learners

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For the life of me, I really can’t see AI providing any real learning benefit to English-proficient “mainstream” students, and I’m not seeing any research that suggests otherwise. It can, however, help all teachers in selective ways, including in material preparation, writing letters of recommendation, and in data analysis.

There’s a slight caveat to what I said about student use, however. Though I haven’t seen any research on it for non-ELL students, I think AI can be helpful to students and teachers alike when it’s used in low-or-no-stakes adaptive learning practice platforms like Quill, or in playing games like Wayground, Booket or Kahoot. I think those are excellent formative assessment tools.

AI with English Language Learners, however, is an entirely different story. In addition to their using those low-stakes activities I just mentioned, AI tools can be extremely useful in providing opportunities for ELLs to practice speaking – especially at home where there are often no other English speakers. Where there are no peer tutors present (even though I really don’t understand why any school wouldn’t use them), these same AI speaking tools can be helpful in class. AI tools like Google Translate can be essential for Newcomers as communication tools, and something like Google Storybook can be helpful in creating high-interest reading materials. And when a Newcomer is parachuted into an English-proficient class, AI-powered simultaneous translation tools can be a lifeline.

Here is a list of research backing-up my perspective on using AI with ELLs (you might also be interested in THE BEST POSTS ABOUT USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITH ELLS):

Who’d Have Thought? Students Who Prompt AI To Create Texts They’re Interested In Are More Likely To Want To Read Them

Using AI chatbots to help language learners improve their practical communication skills and motivation

Using AI to practice and assess real-world speaking tasks

Though AI can help in ELL classes, studies like this new one show that ELLs will misuse ChatGPT just as much as everybody else when it comes to writing.

Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on English language teaching: A meta-analysis

Enhancing oral English learning through AI: a case study on the impact of AI-driven speaking applications among Chinese university students

AI tools significantly enhance K-12 students’ English language learning experience, with chatbots and AI personal assistants particularly effective…

Employing AI in ESL Classrooms: Assumptions, Development, and the Use of AI-Integrated Writing Tasks

Enhancing English Speaking Motivation among Chinese University Students: The Role of Immediate Feedback in AI-Driven Chatbots

MITIGATING PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY IN ESL LEARNERS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LANGUAGE LEARNING

What does research say about automatic speech recognition (ASR) tools on pronunciation training in ESL/EFL contexts?

USE OF AI-POWERED CHATBOTS IN REDUCING SPEAKING ANXIETY AMONG ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS: A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

What does research say about using AI in language learning?⁰⁰This infographic summarises evidence from 272 studies.⁰⁰ Strongest evidence was found on writing assistants, suggesting Ts can use AI on productive skills.⁰⁰ When using AI, Ts are recommended to consider the… pic.twitter.com/or5m6auq50
— TESOLgraphics (@tesolgraphics) April 30, 2026

AI or teacher feedback: which helps students speak better and feel less anxious?

GenAI image creation in EFL: prompt writing as an emerging writing activity for sustainability-focused artivism pic.twitter.com/PuZg8vaBOn
— Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching (@InnovationLLT) May 9, 2026