Council warns against replacing third language instruction with AI tools

Members of an educational council have raised concerns about the growing trend of replacing traditional third language instruction with artificial intelligence-based learning tools in classrooms across the region.

The council members emphasized that while AI can serve as a supplementary learning resource, it cannot replicate the nuanced pedagogical approach required for effective language education. They stressed that human teachers play a crucial role in fostering interactive learning, cultural context, and proper pronunciation guidance that machine learning platforms struggle to provide authentically.

Educators warned that over-reliance on AI tools risks diminishing the quality of language instruction and reducing students' exposure to live conversation and cultural nuances. The council highlighted that third language education forms an integral part of the curriculum in many Indian schools, enhancing cognitive development and opening professional opportunities for students.

The members called on educational institutions to maintain human-led language instruction while potentially incorporating AI as a complementary tool for practice and assessment. They urged policymakers to resist cost-cutting measures that might lead to wholesale replacement of qualified language teachers with automated systems, arguing that education quality must remain the paramount concern.