From Word Lists to Word Power: A Classroom Case Study of AI-Assisted Vocabulary Development in Secondary ESL Writing
As generative AI becomes increasingly accessible, the challenge for ESL educators shifts from “if” we use it to “how” we use it to drive genuine linguistic growth. This 30-minute session presents a classroom-based research study conducted with Year 10 ESL learners in a public school setting, investigating the impact of ChatGPT integration on vocabulary development.
The session details a pre- and post-test inquiry focused on how students transition from functional language to more sophisticated word choices, including idiomatic expressions, nuanced adjectives, and metaphors, within informal writing tasks. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, the study highlights a pedagogical framework centred on intentional scaffolding, prompt framing and feedback to ensure the technology serves as a support for thinking and language development, not a substitute for it.
Key components of the session include:
- Quantitative & Qualitative Data: An analysis of student writing samples and test results demonstrating shifts in vocabulary application and learner confidence.
- The Scaffolding Framework: A breakdown of the teacher-guided routines used to move students from AI-generated output to independent language use.
- Practical Implementation Challenges: Addressing the realities of the ESL classroom, including managing proficiency gaps and preventing over-reliance on automated tools.
Attendees will gain a clear, evidence-based perspective on integrating AI into secondary literacy instruction, with practical strategies for designing learning experiences that prioritize student agency and language awareness.
Facilitated By
Joanna Kwan
Education Specialist, Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri (Ministry of Education Brunei)
Joanna Kwan is a experienced secondary ESL and Drama educator and instructional coach with over 20 years of experience teaching English language learners in Brunei’s public education sector. Her expertise lies at the intersection of classroom practice, teacher development, and applied research, with a strong focus on literacy development, learner confidence, and classroom-based inquiry.
As a researcher of AI-assisted pedagogy, Joanna has led insightful classroom research on using AI to bridge gaps in vocabulary and writing for English language learners. Her work focuses on “responsible innovation” — designing AI-integrated lessons that reduce teacher workload while boosting student independence and language awareness. As an instructional coach and resource designer, Joanna is dedicated to democratizing AI for educators, ensuring that high-tech tools lead to high-touch human learning.
Beyond the classroom, Joanna serves as an Education Specialist, coaching teachers to translate complex research into accessible, high-impact strategies. At this conference, she brings a grounded practitioner’s perspective, sharing what is happening in classrooms now, what is working, what remains challenging, and what these experiences suggest for the future of AI in language education.
