It can be challenging for teachers to keep up with the digital skills needed to make language classes exciting and engaging. Using technology in language learning helps students take an active role and work together with their classmates. These tools can be used in many ways, like introducing new topics, reviewing old ones, personalizing lessons, and assessing students. They also encourage creativity by challenging students to create their own projects and ideas.

This edition of the course “Teaching languages in the digital era: the best apps, web platforms and ICT solutions for learning languages​” took place in Bologna from 12/01/2025 to 18/01/2025. The participants were coming from across Europe: with Ana and Borja from Europaskolan Södermalm, Sweden, then Diana from Eesti keel teise keelene õpetajate liit in Estonia; Ellen from Netherlands’ University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, and finally Aurelija and Loreta from Lithuania’s Gymnazium of Prezident Antanas Smetona.

During this course, participants explored a wide range of technological tools and learned how to incorporate them effectively into their teaching strategies. These tools are valuable not only for boosting engagement and motivation but also for tracking progress in areas such as vocabulary acquisition, communication, and independent learning.
The course offered numerous hands-on activities, allowing participants to experiment with these tools directly. For example, they participated in a live quiz while learning how to design interactive language quizzes using web-based applications. Flashcards, for instance, were highlighted as an effective way to enhance vocabulary and spelling skills.
Participants were introduced to various web platforms for creating language-focused presentations. They had the opportunity to develop and showcase their own projects in a supportive and stimulating environment, equipping them to apply these methods in their classrooms.
Additionally, the course covered tools that help organize and summarize lesson content, prepare grammar presentations, ask questions, and maintain students’ focus, particularly useful in the current era of remote learning. Platforms for creating worksheets and instructional videos were also explored, making it easy to produce engaging teaching materials.
Participants also delved into tools like digital whiteboards for collaborative work, applications for interactive presentations, and resources for creating quizzes and video lessons tailored to language teaching.

The course introduced the role of artificial intelligence in education, featuring tools such as ChatGPT and other AI-driven platforms designed to enrich lessons. These technologies support both students and teachers by enhancing skills like reading, listening, grammar, and speaking.
Interactive worksheets and multimedia resources, including visual tools for designing activities like escape rooms, were also discussed to make learning more dynamic and enjoyable. Participants discovered platforms that enable teachers to add voiceovers, questions, and commentary to videos, turning them into comprehensive learning tools. Tools for editing images and videos were explored, demonstrating how they can be used to create multimedia content, introduce new topics, review previous material, and inspire students to produce their own creative work.
While learning a language can be demanding, integrating the right technological tools into the classroom can greatly improve motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes, transforming lessons into truly immersive experiences.
Discover more about this course here.