On 25–26 November, the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe welcomed 38 language teachers and teacher educators to Graz for a workshop of the current AI for language education (AI Lang) project (2024–2027). The event focused on how AI can support language teaching and learning in responsible, meaningful, and context-sensitive ways.

The AI Lang team presented a draft set of guidelines for the ethical and pedagogically purposeful use of AI, accompanied by practical classroom examples. Participants also received a preview of pilot professional development resources, including modules of a Moodle-based training course designed to help teachers plan lessons, design materials, and integrate AI responsibly into assessment. They were able to contribute their own practices, shared insights into national regulations, and offered reflections on the practical challenges and opportunities of AI in language education — helping ensure the resources can be effectively adapted across different educational contexts.

A particularly innovative aspect of the workshop was the audio-recording of group discussions in a World-Café format. These recordings will be transformed into AI-generated podcasts in various languages, capturing the collaborative reflections of participants and feeding into future iterations of the AI Lang guidelines.

The workshop will help build a community of practice around AI-enhanced language teaching. Foreseen outputs include a report on AI use and emerging challenges across national contexts, refined guidelines, and sample professional development activities suitable for online or on-site delivery.

AI Lang is part of the ECML’s thematic area “New Media in Language Education”, complementing initiatives and resources such as ICT-REV (Using ICT in support of language teaching and learning), E-lang citizen (Digital citizenship through language education), and recent ECML webinars on AI.

Updates — including guidelines, Moodle modules, and podcasts — will be published on the project website: www.ecml.at/AI-lang.