42nd ETAS Annual Conference - Locarno

Plenary Talk - Mike Mayor

“Is language enough? Staying relevant in the age of AI”

Presented by Mike Mayor, Senior Director, Global Scale of Learning at Pearson Education

Abstract

As the conference explores the role of culture in language learning, this presentation will consider the role of language in workplace culture.

For many of our students, English is the key to increased job opportunities and higher salaries. It has long been the lingua franca of international business. Still, as AI continues to disrupt the world of work, it’s time to reconsider the future of language education, the role it plays in securing employment, and the ways English is needed outside the classroom.

This session examines the impact of new technologies on education and work, and what this means for English language learning, teaching, and assessment. We will question the fundamental goals of education at a time when research predicts that AI may replace up to 65% of the skills needed in today’s workplace by 2030. Is mastery of English enough, or should we also be prioritising other skills and competencies that better prepare students for the world of work?

Many countries around the world are facing workforce skills gaps, and employers are unable to find talent to fill vacant roles. Life-long learning is no longer simply a buzzword. Most employees already face the constant need to upskill and re-skill to remain employable – and this is unlikely to change. What can we as educators do to prepare them for this new reality?

This session digs into the latest research on education and the workplace, offering suggestions on how language learning can incorporate new skills to set our learners up for success beyond formal education.

Full programme here