ELT Trends in 2023

Undoubtedly, a teacher's job is very trend-related: we always have to read the newest research, try using new apps, follow global trends to implement them in our lessons and make studying more engaging. 

We have already reached the half of 2023, so we may try to make our kind of a trend list. So, what gained popularity in ELT this year? Let’s see.

There are a couple of terms that describe the gradual shift towards creating a complex, engaging and stimulating virtual space for studying: virtual reality and metaverse.

Pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays are used in virtual reality (VR) to provide users with an immersive sense of a virtual environment. Entertainment (especially video games), education (such as medical or military training), and business (such as virtual meetings) are just a few examples of applications for virtual reality. 

With the latest developments in VR headsets and accessories, we get more and more shining examples of implementation of these technologies in ELT for role-playing and creating close-to-life experiences with the language. 

Metaverse is another concept that has become popular in 2023. A single, shared, immersive, permanent, 3D virtual realm where people may experience life in ways they can’t in the real world is what many in the computer industry refer to as the “metaverse.”

While some of the technologies that allow access to this virtual world, like virtual reality (VR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) glasses, are developing quickly, other essential elements of the metaverse are probably years away from becoming a reality or may never become one. 

Anyway, how is this concept relatable to ELT? The answer is simple:

What is that if not the beginning of studying in the metaverse which, I am sure, is about to amaze us more and more as well as expand the space for creativity and discoveries.

Finally, according to certain research, VR provides the following advantages:

Looks promising to me.

It seems that only lazy people haven’t tried using ChatGPT. The AI research firm Open AI created the Chat GPT, or Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer.

By now, professionals have created countless courses and articles on how to use ChatGPT for lesson planning, creating tasks and much more. 

However, ChatGPT is not the only AI powered trendy tool that is now actively used by teachers. Here are some more examples of useful programmes that  have become a must in 2023: 

What about you? Do you use any AI powered tools? Let us know whether we missed any 2023 essentials in the comment section!

And yes, since task-based learning has been around for a while, it will remain popular in 2023. And that is because TBL is a fantastic method to bring real-world chores and life skills into the classroom. As for the project-based learning, students are supposed to work on a certain topic in groups and present it after, showing the result of their research. 

Studies prove that task- and project-based learning improve:

Communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking are among them too. 

During 2023 we see a continuing and intense interest toward developing these personal characteristics and skills through ELT by making the lessons as student-centered as possible. 

As a result, school districts have started advocating for social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to be included in their programs during the past few years. In 2023 the trend grows even stronger than before. 

Peer editing, book clubs, group projects, and other cooperative activities are excellent methods to develop social-emotional skills in a natural way.

Finally, in 2023, the ELT industry still places a high priority on diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). 

Naturally, the English language is incredibly multicultural, and that means our students come from a wide range of backgrounds. They are of different age, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, etc. And the teacher’s task is to create a comfortable and stress-free environment for each and every student.

Equality is not a new goal to reach, but it will stay actual until 2023 and beyond. This covers such topics like:

So, here are some ELT trends of 2023. Some of them are brand-new and may still feel like something complicated and even scary, some – continue their development and are here to stay for a long time. 

What comes next? Time will show. As for now, we have no other option except to follow the trends and master them.

And now let’s go through a couple of questions to sum up the topic of 2023 trends in ELT.