VietTESOL International Convention 2025

Motivating students in rural contexts remains a persistent challenge, especially when access to authentic English input, pronunciation support, and personalized feedback is limited. During the 2024–2025 academic year, I implemented a weekly digital reading routine using Reading Coach, an AI-powered platform that offers real-time pronunciation feedback and adaptive reading practice. This initiative aimed to build students’ reading fluency, boost their confidence, and sustain their motivation for English language learning.
Students read assigned texts on the platform and shared their progress on Padlet, alongside original creative stories they composed using Reading Coach. This integration of technology and creativity led to noticeable improvements in student engagement, pronunciation accuracy, and willingness to use English beyond the classroom. The project draws on theories of autonomous learning (Little, 1991) and motivational design (Keller’s ARCS model), offering practical, low-cost solutions for educators in under-resourced settings.
This session will provide attendees with actionable strategies to integrate digital tools like Reading Coach and Padlet into weekly instruction. Participants will learn how to scaffold reading practice, encourage peer sharing, and foster learner autonomy—aligned with SDG 4 goals on inclusive, equitable education and lifelong learning. The presentation contributes to conversations on sustainability in ELT by demonstrating how rural schools can harness accessible technology to create more engaging, inclusive, and learner-centered classrooms.