AI Empowers Teachers and Students in Multilingual Education
At the University of Utah’s College of Education, artificial intelligence is opening
new doors for inclusive and innovative teaching practices. Through the Martha Bradley
Evans (MBE) fellowship from Center of Teaching Excellence, Assistant Professor Tuba
Yilmaz and graduate assistant Liyilan Liang launched a groundbreaking course that equips future educators with strategies to use
AI in supporting multilingual learners.
The course demonstrates that teachers don’t need to speak multiple languages to create
meaningful learning experiences for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
By integrating AI tools into lesson planning, teacher candidates gain confidence in
fostering equitable classrooms where every student feels seen and supported.
Building on this work, Dr. Yilmaz led a seed grant project with bilingual students
in a dual-language program, with a collaboration with Dr. Chenglu Li and graduate student Elizabeth Akerley. Students used AI to create bilingual scripts and perform them, an activity designed
to explore how technology can strengthen intergroup social relationships. The results
were powerful: students shared that they learned more about their peers’ cultures
and languages, while teacher candidates reported feeling more prepared to teach multilingual
learners.
“AI gave students a platform to share their cultural and linguistic knowledge,” Dr.
Yilmaz explains. “This not only enriched learning but also helped build stronger social
connections.”
The project’s success reflects a broader vision: leveraging AI to promote cultural
understanding and educational equity. Dr. Yilmaz is now planning to expand this work
through an AI seed grant, partnering with community programs to support multilingual
students in after-school settings.
This initiative shows how technology can empower educators and students alike—creating
classrooms and communities where diversity is celebrated and learning thrives.
Contributors: Dr. Tuba Yilmaz, Dr. Chenglu Li, Elizabeth Akerley, Liyilan Liang
For more information, email: btuba.yilmaz@utah.edu