Learning another language extends beyond developing linguistic knowledge to foster interdisciplinary global competencies including intercultural understanding, creativity and problem-solving. These are vital for building thriving, sustainable communities.
However, language learning in England faces a crisis, with low uptake beyond compulsory stages (ages 7-14) and declining motivation from late primary school. Instruction often prioritises vocabulary, grammar and phonics over authentic communication, limiting opportunities to develop broader competencies. Meanwhile, international organisations advocate integrating competency development across the curriculum to prepare learners to tackle sustainability challenges. This creates a disconnect between these curriculum aims and current language classroom practices.
Project-based language learning (PBLL) offers a potential solution by engaging learners in real-world challenges that create authentic communicative purposes while simultaneously developing linguistic and interdisciplinary global competencies. However, PBLL can place high cognitive demands on learners, and insufficient scaffolding could prevent some learners from fully engaging. AI-enabled personalised support could alleviate these challenges by providing adaptive guidance tailored to individual needs.
This interdisciplinary research, bridging language education, psychology, sustainability education and technology, investigates this approach with 240 Year 5 pupils across eight classes. Using a mixed methods crossover design, it compares traditional and project-based language learning approaches, with and without AI support. Measures examine linguistic outcomes, creativity, problem-solving and motivation to determine the effectiveness and inclusivity of PBLL, and to identify which AI design features best support integrated learning. If effective, this approach could demonstrate language learning’s essential role in developing competencies for individual, societal and planetary thriving, informing future policy and practice.