June 2025 – Too much information? AI and the search for truth in the language classroom

In a world where increasingly more sophisticated AI tools can be used by students to mask their true level of language proficiency, how should teachers respond? And in the so-called ‘Information Age’, how can we help our students develop the critical thinking skills they need to distinguish fake news from fact? In this talk, I will explore several ways in which we can guide our students through the vast sea of information at their fingertips on their journey to becoming better language learners and better thinkers.

Michele has a first degree in Modern Languages and a Masters in Applied Linguistics. After teaching EFL in Greece for 11 years, she moved into publishing and has written several ELT coursebooks for young learners and teenagers, as well as working as a teacher trainer and examiner for the Cambridge ESOL exams. In the last 10 years, Michele has specialised in EAP teaching and currently work at the University of Lancaster where she is Academic Lead for Pre-sessional English courses aimed at international students embarking on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Michele Crawford,
University of Lancaster

Sensations English lesson resources are great for today’s learners.

Sensations English was a finalist in the 2021 British Council ELTons award for Innovation in Learner Resources and won two British Council ELTons commendations! The first, for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, recognised the global and social range of our English learning content, covering contemporary issues and giving learners access to a wide range of issues and global English voices.

Secondly, we were the only winners of the British Council’s inaugural commendation for Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action! Our content covers such a diverse range of climate and sustainability content, opening learners’ minds to global issues and efforts to resolve them, giving learners the language to engage and raise their voices in this vital area of life.

How Sensations English works

Our lesson resources make equality, diversity and inclusion and sustainability a central element of language learning. We recognise learners as multi-competent speakers and multicultural citizens who are eager to share their ideas and engage with others on important topics in their lives.

The high-quality, global, news-based study resources take a person-centred approach, representing diverse cultures and identities across our seven learning themes. The wide range of video and article news reports includes interactive games and study tools that connect the issues with students’ language learning.

As all resources are graded at five levels (A2-C1), they make sometimes complex topics accessible to all learners. With Sensations English, it’s easy to explore language features and improve sub-skills using inclusive resources which also help to connect lessons to learners’ own situations and experiences. This helps learners to think about their own contexts and develop their own voices.

Click here to find out more about Sensations English Teacher’s Edition