Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and learn - and English language teaching is no exception.
Across the industry, many teachers and schools have been asking what this new technology means for them. Will AI replace teachers? Will learners rely on chatbots instead of real conversations? Or can we find ways for it to enhance, rather than undermine, what we do best?

At Living Learning English (LLE), we’re starting to see clear signs that AI can support both teachers and students when used thoughtfully. From global innovations in AI-driven learning tools to the way students are now finding us online, there’s good reason to be hopeful about the future of language education.

The British Council’s 'Human-First' Approach

The British Council’s recent launch of AiBC marks an important moment for English language education.

“The British Council has announced the launch of AiBC, an artificial intelligence engine that supports learners in practising English-speaking skills and receiving real-time feedback.”

This new AI engine, first appearing in the British Council’s online English learning platform, combines live classes with expert teachers and AI-powered speaking practice between lessons. The goal is to give learners extra opportunities to build fluency and confidence outside the classroom.

“AiBC responds to this shift, using technology not to replace teachers, but to strengthen how learners build authentic communication skills and confidence in English.”

It’s a clear sign of the direction the industry is heading: tools like AiBC are being designed by educators, for education. Students can simulate real conversations, receive personalised feedback on grammar, vocabulary and fluency, and reinforce what they’ve learned – while teachers remain central to the process.

As Mark Walker, Director of English and Exams at the British Council, explained:

“AiBC now brings together our teaching expertise with cutting-edge AI so we can help learners practise life-like conversations, progress, and communicate confidently anytime, anywhere.”

This 'human-first' approach echoes what many of us in English language teaching already believe: AI works best when it’s used to extend the reach of real teaching, not to replace it.

A Note of Caution (and Humour) from Our Sister Organisation

Of course, not all AI tools are equally reliable - and not every 'fact' they generate is true. As Caroline Marshall, Communications Executive at our sister organisation Academic Summer, explored in her recent LinkedIn article 'How Lou Carpenter and Harold Bishop Taught Me About the Perils of Over-Reliance on AI', even the cleverest technology can sound convincing while being completely wrong.

“AI is powerful, clever, and often entertaining - but it’s not gospel. It can quietly turn fiction into fact if we don’t stay sharp.”

Caroline’s reflection, sparked by a light-hearted mix-up with a Neighbours storyline, reminds us that AI isn’t infallible. It’s a powerful assistant, not an authority - and it still needs human oversight, context, and critical thinking.

This balanced perspective - optimistic but careful - is exactly how we’ve approached AI at Living Learning English.

How AI is Helping Students Find the Right Courses

One of the most surprising ways AI is already influencing our work is in how students find us. Increasingly, learners are using AI-powered search tools such as ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Google’s AI-generated results to ask more conversational questions like:

“What’s the best English summer course in the UK where I can live with my teacher?”

Unlike traditional search engines that rely on keywords, these new tools interpret intent. They match a learner’s specific goals - academic preparation, immersive learning, one-to-one tuition - with schools that best fit those criteria.

When your website clearly communicates what you do and who it’s for, AI can help the right students find you. It’s no longer just about ranking for keywords, but about providing rich, trustworthy content that an AI assistant can understand and recommend.

We’ve seen this shift in our own analytics. In 2025, visits to the Living Learning English website from ChatGPT increased more than 11,000% compared to the previous year. While the total number remains small, it shows that students are already using AI platforms to discover English courses - a significant change in how learners are choosing where to study.

Benedetta’s Story: From ChatGPT to Real Connection

One of those students was Benedetta Petrocchi, who found LLE after consulting ChatGPT. Her story illustrates how AI can complement - not replace - human connection.

“I first learned about Living Learning English through a chatbot/AI assistant. Specifically, I asked ChatGPT for different English summer schools that mostly met my requirements, and LLE was one of the options. Afterwards, I used a search engine to find the school's website and check all the details. Although LLE was the best option for ChatGPT, the website played a significant role in forming my overall impression of the school, which is why I decided to proceed with LLE and dismiss some alternative options.”

Benedetta had clear criteria: she wanted intensive progress in a short time, home tuition with a qualified teacher, and genuine cultural immersion - not a large multinational summer school.

“My main requirement was to find someone who could genuinely help me improve my English in the limited time I have during the summer. The goal was to find something truly effective and tailored to my needs.”

She trusted ChatGPT’s recommendation because, when she checked our website and reached out, everything matched the kind of learning experience she was looking for.

Her time studying with her teacher, Stephanie, turned out to be exceptional:

“I had an incredible experience with Steph! I returned home feeling super enthusiastic about the weeks I spent there… Spending so much time with someone native is what, in the end, helps learn the language. The exam I had when I returned home and prepared with Steph went super well, and it wasn’t by chance.”

When asked if AI helped her find the right course, Benedetta was clear:

“Definitely! I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but I don’t think I could have found anything better than this.”

Her story shows the potential for collaboration between human-centred teaching and AI-powered discovery. The technology may guide a student to us - but what keeps them learning is the relationship, care, and personal attention that follow.

A Hopeful Future for English Language Teaching

Between the British Council’s innovations, Caroline Marshall’s reflections, and Benedetta’s story, one thing is clear: AI isn’t the end of traditional teaching - it’s the next stage in how we connect with learners.

Used responsibly, AI can:

• Extend classroom learning and provide tailored practice between lessons.

• Help teachers save time and focus more on human connection.

• Improve accessibility for students who might never have found the right school otherwise.

But it can’t replace the real experience of living with a teacher, sharing meals, exploring a city, or laughing over mistakes at the dinner table. Those are moments of true language learning - authentic, relational, and deeply human.

At Living Learning English, we believe the future of English teaching will be AI-supported but human-led.
AI might be reshaping how students search and study, but the heart of what we do remains the same: Real Courses, Real Experiences.

Join the Conversation

How is your school or organisation adapting to AI in English language teaching?
We’d love to hear from educators exploring 'human-first' innovation - and how you’re balancing technology with the irreplaceable power of personal connection.

You can email Jessica with your thoughts or comment on the LinkedIn article.