Teacher PLD: Generative AI for Chinese Language Teaching

Please complete this form to express your interest, and we will contact you about the next steps for registration.

 

Date: Half day workshop dates - 22 April, 23 September

After school workshop dates - 4 June, 20 August

Modality: Online

Duration: Terms 2 and 3 -11 hours of workshop time + approximately 12 hours of self-study time.

Price: Free

 

Short course structure and topics covered: 

 

This short course introduces Chinese language teachers to the practical use of generative AI in the classroom. The focus is on strengthening pedagogy and aligning new technologies with established best practice in language teaching. Participants will see how AI can support every stage of teaching, including planning, preparation, classroom delivery, and evaluation, while considering how these approaches connect with Ellis’ principles for instructed language learning and the iCLT principles.

Through hands-on workshops and guided tasks, participants will practise designing prompts, creating classroom-ready resources, and developing custom tools that serve specific teaching and learning purposes. The emphasis is on experimentation, reflection, and practical classroom application, so that teachers gain both confidence and useful resources they can use straight away.

Participants will collaborate, share ideas and resources, and reflect together on what works best in their classrooms. By the end of the course, they will have built not only their own AI toolkit but also contributed to a growing professional learning community dedicated to exploring how generative AI can enrich Chinese language education.

The course runs across two school terms and combines online workshops with guided classroom practice. 

 

Workshop 1 (Half-day, online): Foundations of Generative AI in Language Teaching

• Introduction to GenAI tools and their classroom potential
• Ethical and effective use in language education
• Hands-on practice with prompts for planning and resource creation
• Mapping participant goals and areas of interest to shape the course focus
• Linking experiences to Ellis’ principles and iCLT principles

 

Workshop 2 (1 hour, afterschool): Early Experiences and Reflection

• Participants share first classroom applications and outcomes
• Peer feedback and collaborative troubleshooting
• Tailored exploration of tools and approaches identified in Workshop 1

 

Workshop 3  (1 hour, afterschool): Expanding Practice

• Advanced applications, such as custom AI tools (GPTs, Gems, or agents)
• Strategies for interactive classroom tasks and student engagement
• Reflecting on challenges, successes, and participant-selected focus areas

 

Workshop 4  (Half-day, online): Showcase and Next Steps

• Participants present AI-created resources and classroom innovations
• Building a shared resource bank and professional learning community
• Strategies for sustainable and ethical integration of AI into practice

 

Between-sessions activities (fortnightly):

 

• Micro-challenges using GenAI
• Reflective posts and peer feedback on the LMS
• Ongoing contribution to a collaborative resource collection

 

TRD Reimbursements: 

Following the successful completion of the course, one teacher Release day (TRD) will be reimbursed to your school to cover the two half-day workshops.

 

In-class support available on request: 

We're happy to visit your class to observe and provide personalised feedback and support as you integrate generative AI tools into your Chinese language teaching practice.

 

Learning outcomes: 

 

This course introduces Chinese language and culture to absolute beginners, with a focus on oral communication and practical classroom language.

 

By completing this course, participants will:

 

• Gain confidence in using a range of generative AI tools to plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate lessons, including creating classroom ready resources and custom AI tools for Chinese language teaching.
• Develop practical skills in prompt design to generate effective teaching materials that align with Ellis' principles for instructed language learning and iCLT principles.
• Engage in a professional learning community by sharing classroom experiences, reflecting on practice, and adapting AI-generated resources for different teaching contexts. 

 

Other benefits include:   

 

• A bank of ready-to-use AI-generated resources designed and trialled during the course.
• A deeper understanding of the opportunities and limitations of generative AI in language education.
• Practical strategies to reduce teacher workload while supporting creativity and best practice pedagogy.

 

 Who should attend? 

This course is designed for chinese language teachers at all year levels in New Zealand schools.

 

If you have any course enquiries, please email chinese.clec@auckland.ac.nz.

 

By enrolling in a Short Course at the University of Auckland you agree to the Short Course Terms and Conditions