As technology evolves, so too do the trends in how we use it. With the adoption of new tools across more industries, we’ve discovered new ways to best integrate tech and maximize its outcomes. 

This is particularly true for English learning, where tech has had a huge positive impact on developing students’ language skills.

It’s no surprise that nearly two-thirds of teachers use digital learning tools on a daily basis to support students’ education.

For both teachers who are tech-savvy, and those who are getting to grips with modern solutions, knowing technology trends in English learning is beneficial. 

Here are 6 technology trends in English learning to follow and offer students a more engaging, innovative English experience.

1. Engaging lessons: gamification and accessibility

The majority (64%) of students say that accessing training content from their mobile devices is essential. As the world goes remote, students are increasingly joining English classes and completing tasks via their phones. Tech tools are catering to this preference. 

Smaller screens and varied internet connections and load speeds are forcing English learning apps, platforms, and interfaces to optimize for them.

They’re also prioritizing accessibility, looking at ways to make English learning content more inclusive on mobile. For example, by using responsive design to make it easier to follow instructions and offering audio descriptions for students with visual impairments. 

ELSA Speak is available both on mobile devices and tablets – and Speech Analyzer can be used on desktop too – giving students more options that ever.

Mobile learning also means students can get push notifications on their phones that remind them to practice English, finish an assignment or review their progress. 

Gamification is also a big part of this, adding an additional element of fun and motivation. Competing to improve their scores, accumulating points, and observing progress in real-time are all strategies that can help engage students and make them more invested in learning English.

2.Automated pronunciation & speaking feedback using AI

Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) is powered by AI. You’ll find it in familiar apps and voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home. While these are very helpful, they are built for native speakers with standard accents. Maybe you’ve struggled when Siri doesn’t understand you, for example.

ASR can be an effective tool for teaching English, but a model specifically designed for non-native speakers is necessary. That’s where ELSA’s AI-powered English Speaking Coach comes in. It lets students speak English in short dialogues via the app. They then receive immediate, detailed feedback about their fluency, and tips to make corrections. 

With a 95% accuracy rate and real-time responses, speech recognition AI ensures students have in-context, on-demand guidance.

3. Small, regular lessons

In the digital age, people’s attention spans have dropped. Now, technology focuses on giving students bite-size activities. 

Gamification complements this structure, as students earn rewards and unlock new levels the more they practice English. With many tools, teachers or students can select how long they want to commit to learning English per day, and are encouraged to meet the target. 

Gamification stimulates learners’ language, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities. It also makes students more accountable for managing their language journey. 

Teachers can track students’ progress by automatically collecting and analyzing data as they complete their lessons.

4. Data analytics to inform student feedback

Like many other tech tools, English learning solutions are data-driven. The collection of information on how, when, and why people use the technology is used to finesse user experiences and the ultimate goal of learning English. 

For instance, teachers can review when students log in, what tasks they score high in, what areas they struggle with, and what type of content they spend the most time on. 

Dashboards provide an overview of the group performance. With this information, teachers can tailor their attention and curriculum more closely to student needs.

This data also informs the tools’ creators, who can iterate and test new features based on the insights, and make English learning more efficient and enjoyable for students.

5. Context-based learning

Language acquisition is rooted in meaning. The more students learn in context, the better and faster they develop fluency. 

While context-based learning was first introduced in the 1980s, it’s constantly updated and translated into modern tech offerings. Specifically, tech is generating new ways for students to learn English through practical experience versus theory only. 

For example, ELSA provides context-based learning for students getting ready for an interview in English. Speech Analyzer prompts students with a series of interview questions that they record and submit their responses to, and in turn, get a speaking score. 

They can also upload themselves and a friend role-playing an interview, and see their speech converted to text, with notes about their linguistic range and construction.

By using technology to bridge the gap between language and experience, students deduce more meaning and are more likely to have a stronger comprehension of English.

6. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Games, quizzes, videos, and other dynamic content have always played a big role in language learning, but nowadays, this type of content has gone a step further into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

With VR and AR, students can quite literally step into new worlds, where they interact with environments completely in English. 

An example would be having students present to a simulated audience at a conference in the United States. This immersive technique prepares students for when they may be in a native English setting, and to “live” in English via the multi-sensory approach. 

Using a VR headset had a positive effect on students’ engagement, motivation, and independent English learning, one study found. Interestingly, it also enabled students to follow instructions more closely.

Is it time to try the trends yourself?

These are just a few of the emerging technology trends in English learning. 

Dive into them with ELSA and ensure your classroom is taking advantage of the latest, cutting-edge English language learning and teaching tools. 

Learn more about how to boost your students’ confidence in speaking English with ELSA.

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If you enjoyed this article, check out: 4 Innovative ways AI can help teachers in 2023.