LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In a milestone keynote address that transcended borders and sparked a global dialogue, Danie Orelien, Director of Multilingual Learners for Linden Public Schools, delivered a visionary presentation on the power of artificial intelligence to reshape language education.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐢 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐢 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧, Orelien shared how AI is not only enhancing bilingual and world language instruction—but also uniting nations in a shared commitment to the future of learning.

“This work is not about mastering every technical detail,” Orelien told an international audience of educators and policymakers. “It’s about embracing the future with curiosity and purpose.”

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝 "𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞," the presentation spotlighted the transformative potential of AI to deliver personalized learning, real-time feedback, and culturally responsive instruction to students from diverse backgrounds.

𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

Orelien’s message was clear and empowering: You don’t need to be a tech expert to recognize AI’s significance. What’s needed is bold leadership, empowered teachers, and a commitment to student-driven innovation.

With AI, language learning no longer stops at the classroom door. From gamified vocabulary apps like Duolingo to speech-recognition feedback tools and immersive chatbot simulations, students can now practice and master languages through engaging, adaptive technology that meets them where they are.

“These tools don’t replace teachers,” Orelien emphasized. “They elevate their role—helping us unlock new pathways for creativity, cultural connection, and global citizenship.”

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲

Throughout the presentation, Orelien illustrated how AI can be used intentionally to support bilingual learners and world language students across elementary and secondary schools. Whether through translanguaging tools, interactive video simulations, or assessment platforms that span multiple languages, AI becomes a bridge between cultures, not just a learning mechanism.

“When used thoughtfully, AI becomes more than just a tool,” Orelien explained. “It becomes a catalyst for creativity and a trusted partner in preparing learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

But with innovation comes responsibility. Orelien stressed the importance of ethical integration and policy development, urging educators to be discerning in their adoption of AI tools.

“Not all AI tools are created equal,” she noted. “Before we bring technology into our classrooms, we must be intentional guided by research, anchored in equity, and committed to protecting student privacy.”

She called on education leaders to collaborate across borders and disciplines to create clear, equitable policies that ensure AI supports—not undermines—diverse student needs and district values.

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭

Orelien’s selection as a keynote speaker placed Linden Public Schools on the world stage, reinforcing the district’s leadership in forward-thinking, inclusive education. Her participation represented not only her personal expertise but also the district’s broader commitment to innovation in multilingual and multicultural learning.

“It was an honor to represent Linden,” said Orelien. “This is the future of education—and we must lead it together, not in isolation.”