Empowering Teachers to Support Multilingual Learners with AI
For many teachers, supporting multilingual learners can be both rewarding and challenging.
Language barriers, limited instructional resources, and the need to adapt materials
for students at different proficiency levels can place significant demands on educators.
Tuba Yilmaz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education, Culture & Society at the University of Utah, is exploring how artificial intelligence can help teachers meet those challenges
and create more inclusive learning environments.Through workshops and professional learning opportunities, Yilmaz introduces educators
to evidence-based English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching strategies alongside
practical AI tools that can help generate instructional supports more efficiently.
Her goal is not to replace the expertise of teachers, but to equip them with additional
resources that help multilingual learners succeed.
"Multilingual learners are often overlooked because supporting them can require significant additional time and effort," Yilmaz explained. "AI can help educators create individualized supports more quickly, allowing them to focus more of their energy on teaching and building relationships with students."
The workshops serve in-service teachers across Utah, including educators working in
dual immersion programs and mainstream K-12 classrooms. Participants learn how to
use AI tools to adapt content, develop instructional materials, and support students
with varying language needs while applying effective ESL teaching practices.
The impact has been encouraging. Based on participant feedback, teachers report that
the combination of AI tools, prompting strategies, and ESL instructional methods has
increased their confidence in supporting multilingual learners. Many educators leave
the workshops feeling better prepared to create inclusive classroom experiences and
address the diverse needs of their students.
Yilmaz's work reflects a broader vision for the future of education. As classrooms
become increasingly diverse, AI has the potential to help educators personalize learning,
reduce barriers, and expand access to high-quality instruction. By combining technology
with sound pedagogical practices, teachers can spend less time creating supports from
scratch and more time engaging directly with students.
Her efforts also align with the University of Utah's commitment to advancing teaching
excellence and leveraging AI to enhance learning. Previously recognized through the
Martha Bradley Evansfellowship, Yilmaz has explored how AI can support multilingual learners and help
prepare future educators for diverse classroom environments.
Looking ahead, Yilmaz hopes to expand awareness of these opportunities and reach more
teachers and teacher candidates throughout Utah.
"These tools can make a meaningful difference for educators and students alike," she said. "The more teachers understand how to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly, the more effectively they can support multilingual learners and help every student thrive."