In the 1970s, my parents fled Haiti’s dictator, becoming undocumented immigrants while I stayed in Haiti with my grandmother. I joined them in the U.S. at 12, struggling with English. My experience highlights the challenges faced by English learners, particularly in schools lacking proper support. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) tools offer promising solutions for K-12 English learners, providing instant aids in language acquisition and cultural understanding. Tailored AI instruction can diagnose individual strengths, foster engagement, and deliver differentiated practice, unlike traditional one-size-fits-all methods. Despite potential risks, including privacy concerns and cultural biases, early research indicates AI programs like Grammarly and ChatGPT improve writing fluency and confidence. Educators are increasingly incorporating AI, with a notable percentage already using it for lesson planning. For district leaders, embracing AI is urgent to enhance learning opportunities for 5.3 million English learners in the U.S. This integration requires thoughtful implementation and robust training for educators to maximize its potential.
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