Teaching social-emotional learning through AIDT in EFL classrooms

Abstract

As the Korean Ministry of Education prepares to mandate Korean Social-Emotional Learning (K-SEL) across all grade levels starting in 2026, English teachers in South Korea face the challenge of meaningfully integrating SEL into subject-area instruction. This Technology in Practice Forum paper reports on a one-year pilot experience in which an AI-based Digital Textbook (AIDT) was used in a secondary English classroom to facilitate SEL. By using avatar customization and a daily emotion check-in in warm-up routines, the teacher created opportunities for language learners to express emotions in English, engage in small talk with the teacher, and build classroom rapport while developing both English communicative competence and social-emotional skills. Based on a one-year classroom experience, the paper discusses the benefits, challenges, and practical recommendations for the sustained integration of AI-driven educational technology and SEL in English classrooms.