Don't Confuse Copilot with Autopilot: Navigating AI in English Teaching

Dr Lucas Kohnke from EdUHK’s Department of ELE led an engaging workshop that challenged educators to think carefully about how they integrate AI into their English classrooms. Drawing on his extensive research and classroom teaching experience, Lucas walked participants through the key distinction between using AI as a "copilot", which supports teaching, and an "autopilot", which may replace teacher judgement. Dr Kohnke shared practical strategies for knowing when to offload tasks to AI and when to onload critical thinking to students. Through a series of hands-on examples, he demonstrated how AI can take on four distinct roles: generator, character, critic, and co-writer – all while keeping students firmly in the role of decision-maker.

Participants explored a range of practical AI tools, including Twee, Diffit, and School AI, with live demonstrations of how these platforms can support lesson planning, material design, and personalised feedback. Dr Kohnke emphasised the importance of starting with learning objectives rather than tools, and teaching prompt literacy to both teachers and students. The workshop concluded with a reminder that the best use of AI is not to do the learning for students, but to create more space and opportunities for learning to happen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqe88UnWIA4

View his presentation slides here: Lucas's Presentation Slides.pdf

Outline of the Breakout Session:

Don't Confuse Copilot with Autopilot: Navigating AI in English Teaching

Speaker: Dr Lucas Kohnke

00:00 – 01:02 Introduction

01:02 – 05:58 Why AI matters in English teaching?

05:58 – 11:31 When to offload and when to onload?

11:31 – 18:23 How to design AI-supported English tasks?

18:23 – 26:00 Tools and practical classroom uses

26:00 – 28:59 Conclusion

Plenary and Other Breakout Session Links:

• Welcome Address, Plenary Talk and Roundtable Discussion: Learning Together: AI-Assisted Lesson Planning, Self-directed Learning and Assessment

• Mr Alvin Chung & Ms Yashal Farooq's Breakout Session: The Application of Customised GenAI Chatbots in Primary School English Learning

• Mr Denis Wong, Ms Cathy Chia & Mr Ans Naseer's Breakout Session: Self-directed = More Independent: Developing Language and Character with AI Integration

• Mr Keric Lee & Ms Summer Chan's Breakout Session: SDL in Primary English: How Can AI Help?

• Ms Caren Lam, Ms Joyce Lai & Ms Crystal Zheng's Breakout Session: Three Panel Chairs' Perspectives on Integrating AI in English Language Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Ms Cheung Wai Shan & Mr Eric Chan's Breakout Session: Bridging the Elaboration Gap: AI-Mediated Blended Learning for SBA and DSE Speaking Success