Innovation in Language Learning
Transforming Italian FL Education: AI-Driven Personalization and Teacher Digital Literacy in the DAI Project
Leonard Busuttil, University of Malta (Malta)
Clifton Casha Brincat, University of Malta (Malta)
Sandro Caruana, University of Malta (Malta)
Mario Pace, University of Malta (Malta)
Abstract
Traditional language learning tools have frequently relied on a "one-size-fits-all" approach, lacking the adaptive capabilities necessary to meet diverse student needs. The DAI (Developing an AI-assisted Italian Language Teaching and Learning System) project moves beyond traditional models and addresses this gap by integrating Artificial Intelligence into Italian as a Foreign Language (FL) instruction. This initiative aims to develop critical thinking and evaluative skills by deploying a personalized, AI-based training package for international students of Italian and establishing a comprehensive learner corpus to fuel future research in AI-driven language pedagogy. However, the successful implementation of such AI-driven platforms relies heavily on the digital competencies of the educators steering them. To this intent, the DAI project features a dedicated training course designed to equip teachers of Italian with essential AI and digital skills. This paper focuses on two core dimensions of the project: its overarching scope and rationale, and a detailed examination of a specific module, titled "Integrating Digital Resources," which is currently being developed. This module (module 3) is central to the project's objective of transforming teaching practices. It provides educators with practical methodologies and pedagogical frameworks to embed AI-based resources, including interactive modules and a personalized content-retrieval chatbot, into their curricula. By exploring the development and pedagogical architecture of the module, this presentation demonstrates how theoretical AI applications are translated into actionable teaching strategies. Ultimately, we argue that equipping teachers with these targeted digital competencies is just as vital as the technology itself, ensuring that AI serves as an effective, sustainable catalyst for Italian FL teaching and learning.
Keywords: AI in language education, Italian as a Foreign Language, teacher digital literacy, personalized learning, digital resource integration.
