PANEL: A Fireside Chat on the Applications of AI for the CLB

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), as well as most provincially funded programs, are rooted in the CLB. As AI tools become more accessible and relevant, they are increasingly shaping teaching and learning practices in these programs, particularly at a time of sector restructuring. Educators are therefore faced with urgent questions of alignment and pedagogical appropriateness of these tools. This convergence raises critical questions about how AI use interacts with the CLB and what we are learning from early adoption of this technology.         This fireside chat brings together knowledge experts and practitioners in CLB, second language acquisition, and generative AI to discuss AI applications for the CLB, including benefits and limitations. Participants will learn about the different ways AI is currently being used with the CLB as well as about potential future applications.    The objectives of the sessions are to: (1) examine how AI is being used in CLB-based instructional and assessment contexts; (2) critically explore benefits, risks, and limitations of AI for language instruction and assessment; (3) support educators in making informed, pedagogically sound choices about AI integration rooted in the CLB.   Rather than individual presentations, the moderator will engage the 3-person panel in a 35-minute focused discussion, eliciting responses, reactions, and thoughtful interactions in a natural, yet structured exchange. There will be 10 minutes for questions from the audience at the end.    Among the topics discussed will be principled uses of AI in CLB-aligned content generation, such as creating realia for real-word tasks, classroom materials, and lesson plans; how it can be used for automated scoring and qualitative feedback in evaluation for different skills; how AI tools can ease teacher workload and help them navigate resources and documents; and how AI can develop both teacher and learner’s skills in using AI.