Recent ICT developments, along with their far-reaching consequences for platforms such as Moodle, have challenged traditional teaching methods and highlighted the need for enhanced digital pedagogical competencies to foster learner-centered online teaching, engage students, and promote collaborative learning. In an effort to identify pressing issues and formulate possible solutions, this spring we launched a project aimed at revamping the use of Moodle as a learning tool to support the academic activities of the Department of Foreign Language Teaching at Burgas State University Prof. Dr Assen Zlatarov, Bulgaria. As part of this initiative, we focused on developing a learning module for foreign language lecturers to assist their ongoing individual efforts in exploring the use of AI for teaching purposes.

The module design builds on the expertise we have accumulated over the past two years while preparing students for highly structured tests such as the Cambridge Certificate Exams, and it is informed by current research in the field. It features the creation of lesson plans and language learning tools and resources, including the generation of vocabulary lists, grammar worksheets and tests, samples for different types of writing, and scripts for role-playing activities, as well as guidance for self-study. The module places special focus on prompting ChatGPT and experimenting with additional follow-up prompts as needed.

Our action research hypothesis is that the expertise of experienced lecturers, supported by these new digital competencies, will curb concerns about AI overreliance and will, over time, prepare students to use its functionalities selectively, engaging in a partnership with their teachers to achieve an enriched process of foreign language learning. The effectiveness of the module will be evaluated through structured interviews with participating lecturers and feedback collected from their students, providing insights into its impact on teaching practices and learner engagement.

Keywords: Foreign language, education, artificial learning assistance, university education.