University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA) teacher Luke Coldham-Fussell attracted a strong audience of more than 50 educators at the recent CLESOL Conference in Hamilton, where he presented a session titled“AI-Enhanced Spaced Repetition for Vocabulary Learning: A Practical Workflow for Language Teachers.” The conference brought together language teaching professionals from across New Zealand to share innovative ideas and best practice in ESOL and language education. [clesol.org.nz]

Luke, who teaches EAP pathway courses at ELA, has more than 20 years of teaching experience across Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and New Zealand. His professional interests include vocabulary learning, learner autonomy, and computer-assisted language learning, all of which were reflected in his well-attended presentation.

The session explored how teachers can use freely available AI tools to create high-quality vocabulary learning materials in a fraction of the time traditionally required. Drawing on research showing the effectiveness of spaced repetition for vocabulary acquisition, Luke demonstrated practical workflows for transforming word lists into targeted digital flashcards and learning resources that can be used across multiple platforms.

Attendees were particularly interested in the session’s hands-on approach. Luke shared examples from his own teaching and language-learning experience, showing how AI can help teachers create contextualised vocabulary materials, customise examples for different academic disciplines, and develop sophisticated spaced-repetition resources that support long-term retention.

For ELA students, the value of this work is significant. Academic success depends heavily on vocabulary knowledge, and Luke’s research and classroom practice help students learn and retain the language they need more efficiently. By combining evidence-based learning principles with emerging technologies, he is helping students build stronger academic vocabulary, develop greater learner independence, and make better use of digital learning tools.

Luke’s presentation is also a great example of the expertise that ELA teachers bring to the classroom. Through ongoing professional development, research, and engagement with the wider language-teaching community, ELA staff continually explore innovative ways to improve learning outcomes for students. Luke’s work demonstrates how that commitment translates into practical benefits for learners every day.

“Spaced repetition has long been one of the most effective ways to learn vocabulary, but creating quality learning materials could be very time-consuming. AI tools are now making it much easier for teachers to develop personalised, meaningful resources that help learners focus on the vocabulary they need most.”

— Luke Coldham-Fussell

Luke’s strong turnout at CLESOL highlights both the growing interest in AI-supported language learning and the valuable contribution ELA staff are making to the future of English language education.

‍