Personalizing Chinese Language Learning with AI 

In WAB’s High School Chinese classrooms, students are learning how to communicate and think critically in both Chinese and the digital world. 

High School Chinese teacher and Languages Learning Leader Sophie Li shares how artificial intelligence can enhance and personalize language learning. From feedback on writing assignments to debates and vocabulary-building projects, she’s helping students discover how AI can be a powerful learning partner when used thoughtfully. 

“AI doesn’t replace the teacher,” Sophie says. “It supports students to think deeper, and it helps me give every student more personalized feedback, instantly.” 

One of the tools Sophie uses is Flint, an educational AI platform designed for schools. By carefully guiding the AI’s parameters, such as student proficiency level, vocabulary sets, and grammar focus, Sophie ensures that feedback is tailored to each learner. Instead of simply correcting mistakes, Flint prompts students to reflect, elaborate, and find their own answers. 

For example, in a recent writing task, students received individualized feedback from Flint in real time. While each student worked on improving their writing, Sophie could observe their interactions, step in with targeted support, and encourage deeper learning. “It’s about balance,” she says. “AI provides efficiency and consistency, but the teacher still brings empathy, context, and connection.”  

Beyond language learning, students are also developing their AI literacy, understanding how to choose and use different AI tools critically and responsibly. In one unit on environmental protection, students compared general-purpose AIs like ChatGPT with education-specific tools such as Flint and Magic School. They discovered differences in how each platform provides guidance, feedback, and accuracy, leading to important discussions about trust, bias, and sustainability. 

In another project, students even created their own AI bots to review vocabulary, grammar, or speaking skills, customized to their personal learning needs. “It’s an authentic way for students to understand how AI works,” Sophie explains. “They learn to give precise instructions, evaluate responses, and refine their thinking. That’s real-world learning.” 

These lessons extend beyond Chinese class. Through personalized learning with the help of AI, students are improving their language skills at whatever level they are at, and becoming future-ready global citizens, equipped with the ability to collaborate with technology, think critically, and make informed choices in an AI-driven world. 

“Our goal,” Sophie reflects, “is to help students see AI not as a shortcut, but as a thoughtful partner in personalized learning.”