On April 20, 2026, the Department of English Philology and Linguodidactics at Sumy State Pedagogical University hosted an insightful and timely methodological seminar titled “Practical AI for Language Teaching: Tips, Tricks and Considerations.” The event was dedicated to the potential of using artificial intelligence in education and foreign language teaching.
The seminar was conducted by Nikki Overcash, an international expert in English language teaching who is currently working in Ukraine for the “Virtual Teacher” project initiated by the U.S. Embassy. The project has been successfully implemented at the department for the second consecutive semester.
The seminar was also attended by participants of the TESOL-Ukraine Professional Development Course “Smart Teaching with AI” (Course coordinator – Dr. Hanna Podosynnikova, Associate Professor, Vice President of TESOL-Ukraine, Head of the Department of English Philology and Linguodidactics, Sumy State Pedagogical University; course leading speaker – Dr. Anhelina Kolisnichenko, Associate Professor at the English and its Methodology Teaching Department, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University).
During the session, participants explored modern AI tools that open new horizons for both educators and students. The seminar demonstrated how artificial intelligence can assist in:
- Creating instructional materials;
- Automating assignment grading;
- Adapting content to students' proficiency levels;
- Developing language skills in an interactive format.
Special attention was paid to the following capabilities:
- Generating authentic texts, exercises, and tests tailored to language proficiency levels.
- Developing writing and speaking skills through conversational AI models.
- Personalizing learning and creating individual educational trajectories.
- Providing instant feedback and error analysis.
- Utilizing AI as a tool to enhance student motivation.
The seminar sparked lively interest and active discussion among the participants, as the integration of innovative technologies into the educational process is of paramount importance today.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Nikki Overcash for her professionalism, inspiration, and for sharing her valuable expertise!