Rahmi Aoyama, Ph.D.
Instructor
Rahmi Aoyama's research centers on advancing language learning through emerging technologies and innovative pedagogy. She explores the integration of artificial intelligence and virtual reality into language instruction, particularly for less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), with a focus on Indonesian.
Research Areas
- Less commonly taught languages
- Artificial intelligence
- Virtual reality
- AI in language learning
- Technology in foreign language curriculum
Department: World Languages and Cultures
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Email: rhartati1@niu.edu
Presentations and Scholarly Dissemination
Rahmi has presented her work on artificial intelligence and language instruction at regional and national professional conferences, including the Southeast Asian Language Council (SEALC) and the Association for Asian Studies (AAS). Her presentations focus on the integration of AI into less commonly taught language (LCTL) instruction, with particular emphasis on Indonesian.
Her scholarly and professional presentations address practical strategies for using AI to support communicative language teaching, assessment design and instructional materials development. Topics include AI-supported speaking and writing practice, rubric development for performance-based assessment and responsible and ethical AI use in language classrooms. Through these presentations, Rahmi contributes to ongoing professional conversations about technology-enhanced language learning and innovation in world language and ESL education.
Research and Professional Focus
Rahmi’s professional work focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence into language instruction and assessment, with particular attention to less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), especially Indonesian. Her work emphasizes the practical and ethical use of AI to support adult language learners, improve communicative competence and enhance instructional design. She explores how AI can be used to support vocabulary development, speaking practice, assessment design and teacher efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on human-centered, communicative language teaching.
Her ongoing work examines AI-supported feedback, rubric development and performance-based assessment in ESL and world language contexts. This includes developing instructional materials and assessment tools that balance language accuracy with meaningful communication, as well as supporting instructors in using AI as a reflective and instructional support tool rather than a replacement for pedagogy.
Open Educational Resources
Committed to open educational practices, Rahmi is developing an open educational resource (OER) in Indonesian language instruction. This Indonesian handout, currently in progress, is designed to support learners with accessible, communicative and culturally relevant materials. The resource will focus on practical language use and is intended to be shared openly to support Indonesian language learners and educators.
This work reflects her commitment to expanding access to high-quality instructional materials for less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), particularly Indonesian, and to supporting equitable and open approaches to language education.