Bringing AI to Life: Helping English learners unlock new opportunities
This marks the second in a series of blog posts highlighting how we’ve already integrated AI into how we think and operate, and its place in the future of our customers’ learning journeys - as discussed in our 2023 Half Year Results.
In an increasingly interconnected world, demand for learning English is growing. In fact, we estimate there to be over 1.6 billion people learning English in the world right now, as they seek to form connections, boost their careers, or work and study overseas.
Helping English learners show what they know
Our flagship English language test, Pearson Test of English (PTE), allows people to prove their language proficiency across four disciplines: writing, reading, speaking and listening. It’s a world-class, fully digital, computer-based test with high security and AI-powered scoring. Trusted by governments, universities, and professional bodies worldwide, last year alone we administered 800,000 tests. PTE volumes continue to grow – We saw a 76% increase in the first half of this year.
Earlier this year we won recognition for PTE for Canadian Student Direct Stream and economic migration visa applications. This comes at a time where Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced that it plans to welcome a record number of permanent residents in the years ahead.
Ebrahim Matthews, SVP Product, English Language Learning, knows firsthand the benefits that learning English can unlock: “As a non-native speaker, I have personally experienced the impact that proficiency in English can have on one’s life and career. The Pearson Test of English makes a real difference in the lives of millions of people looking to prove their English skills for work or university.”
PTE Academic: powered by AI
The speaking and writing portion of the PTE Academic test is 100% scored by AI. Given test volumes, this makes it one of the most critical ways we use AI at Pearson.
AI enables us to deliver results quickly, accurately and without bias. Results are based on our proprietary Global Scale of English, which gives test takers a score that allows them to pinpoint their proficiency and track progress. Through the power of AI, we can deliver score reports to test takers faster than anyone else, with an average time of 1.2 days.
Ebrahim says: “I’m really proud that we are using AI in a way that ensures more equity in our English language products, because everyone deserves a fair shot at success, especially when the stakes are so high.”
What’s over the horizon?
We’re innovating with AI in language learning beyond high stakes testing, and beyond English. We see a future where AI technology supports a burgeoning community of global language learners with tailored, personalized, and real time tools that will help many more people build confidence and fluency in a new language. Adventures await.
Hear more from Ebrahim Matthews on the role AI has in the assessment and learning process: