Something big is happening in the world of education right now – and frankly, in almost every part of life for that matter.

You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT or Claude. Maybe your child has already used one of these tools to help with homework. Maybe you’ve wondered: Is this a good or a bad thing? What skills can I learn myself, and what can – and should – I teach my child so they are prepared for life with AI? What will studying with these tools look like? Can they replace a tutor? Are they even that good for me or for my children?

These are fair questions, questions I ask myself too, both as an educator and as a mum. I want to share where I stand, what I’m seeing, and how I’m thinking about the future of German learning for every student I work with.

AI Is Here and It’s Not Going Away

Let’s be clear: Artificial Intelligence is now part of everyday life, including in schools and universities.

Tools like Claude and ChatGPT can translate text, explain grammar rules, write essays, and even hold basic conversations in German.

That’s remarkable. And yes, it changes things.

But here’s what I’ve noticed in my years of teaching: a tool is only as powerful as the person using it. A student who understands German – who has a feel for the language, who can think in it – will use AI in a completely different way than someone who is simply copy-pasting answers.

The goal isn’t to compete with AI. The goal is to make sure that you or your child can work with it intelligently and in the smartest and most efficient way possible.

What AI Can’t Do (Yet)

AI can generate a grammatically correct sentence. What it cannot do is notice that a student hesitates every time they need to use the Dativ, or that they light up when they’re talking about their favourite football team, or that they need encouragement on a hard day before they can even start.

Language learning is deeply human. It’s about confidence, memory, rhythm, and connection. It happens in the moment, in real conversation, in laughter when you get something wrong, and in the small victories that build up over time.

That’s what a tutor does. And no algorithm can do that.

AI also can’t see the frustration in a student’s eyes when they have been trying to figure out why a sentence is wrong and how to correct it. I can.

AI also can’t match the excitement of a student who gets the pronunciation right on the first try and is bursting with joy and pride. I can see that and it fills me with joy too. I laugh, clap, and cheer them on – whether they are 7 or 70. The emotional connection is the same.

How I’m Thinking About This and What’s Coming

I’ll be honest: I’m still working out the details. The landscape is shifting quickly, and I want to make thoughtful decisions, not reactive ones.

What I can tell you is that I’m actively exploring how to use AI as a teaching partner, not a replacement. That might mean smarter resources, new ways to practise, or tools that help students prepare more efficiently for exams like the IB or HSC.

I also have quite an extensive view of what’s happening online right now – through my academic background, my ongoing work with students across Australia and overseas, and through my own deep engagement with these tools.

I’m not watching from the sidelines.

Stay tuned. I’ll be sharing more ideas here as they take shape. But I can already say this much: exciting times lie ahead for us and for our children.

Education is changing. Required skills are changing. Adaptability, flexibility, and an open mind are becoming more important than ever.

A Note to Parents

The students who will thrive in an AI-powered world are not the ones who outsource their thinking to a machine. They are the ones who have genuine skills, genuine curiosity, and the ability to work alongside technology with discernment.

Learning German, really learning it, builds exactly those abilities.

The younger children I teach already have a strong advantage when it comes to using technology because of their regular lessons with me and the tools and activities I am already using with them. And my high school students benefit from working with me, as I am a tutor who is technology-savvy and deeply engaged with these new developments, so they too can stay ahead.

I’m committed to making sure every student I work with receives the best possible individual support and the skills they personally need, and I’m also committed to being transparent with you about how I’m approaching these changes.

Bis bald,

Nadia

I’m excited to be part of your language journey – let’s make it a successful one!

Warm regards,
Nadia