Education UAE spoke to Giovanni Giovannelli, President, Pearson English Language Learning to get a deeper understanding about education today and in the future
Giovanni Giovannelli is the President of Pearson English Language Learning, with a PhD in Economics and a Harvard Business School qualification. His diverse career across countries and industries, including time spent as a migrant in the U.S. and Brazil, has made language learning both a personal and professional focus. Giovanni views language as essential for connecting people and driving success in education and business. He champions continuous learning and reverse mentoring, fostering innovation by learning from younger colleagues, which helps navigate the evolving educational landscape.
Education UAE: What do you believe are the key trends in English language learning and education today, and how is Pearson adapting to these changes?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Pearson is focused on two major trends that will drive growth: demographic shifts and the rise of AI. These trends reinforce the importance of learning, skills, and verified competencies. Pearson’s mission is to help individuals learn and progress in life, especially in English learning, as over a billion people are currently learning English worldwide.
In the MENA region, e-learning and bilingual education, particularly in STEM subjects, are significant trends. Pearson aligns with this by offering courseware, proficiency assessments, and certification through partnerships with over 40 institutions in the UAE. Our digital solutions, like the Pearson Test of English (PTE), are also growing rapidly, reflecting the demand for English proficiency as a gateway to international opportunities.
Education UAE: How do you think AI can further optimise productivity in education for students and teachers?
Giovanni Giovannelli: AI, especially Generative AI, has enormous potential to enhance education. Pearson is already leveraging this with Teaching Pal, an AI-powered tool that generates customised lesson content, reducing the time educators spend on preparation. AI will work alongside teachers, not replace them, to provide real-time assistance in the classroom.
We’re also using AI in our Pearson Test of English (PTE) to ensure objective and accurate scoring. AI is being integrated into our English learning programs, like our AI-powered Digital Human Tutor, which assesses pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary, and Mondly, which offers feedback to tutors based on student performance.
To fully realise AI’s potential, it’s crucial that both students and teachers become more digitally literate. By investing in these skills, Pearson is preparing users to engage effectively with AI tools.
Education UAE: Can you explain how generative AI personalises learning experiences and improves educational outcomes?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Generative AI personalises learning by tailoring resources to meet the individual needs of each student. For example, we’ve integrated AI into Pearson’s eTextbooks, offering personalised explanations, summaries, and practice questions based on a student’s progress. This not only clarifies complex concepts but also helps reinforce learning.
The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many finding the AI-generated summaries and explanations helpful, particularly during exams. AI also encourages active learning through self-testing, which leads to better retention and improved educational outcomes over time. Nearly 80% of students reported they would continue using AI tools in future courses, reflecting their value in the learning process.
Education UAE: In your opinion, what are the most important skills for English language learners to develop in the current global landscape?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Communicative competence is essential—it’s about understanding cultural nuances and non-verbal cues, which is key for effective communication in diverse environments. Digital literacy is equally important, as much of today’s communication takes place online.
Beyond language basics, critical thinking and collaboration are essential skills. English learners must be able to analyse information, engage in debates, and work in teams across cultures and languages. These skills are crucial for career advancement and success in the global economy.
Education UAE: What are some of the biggest challenges facing English language learners today, and how can they be addressed?
Giovanni Giovannelli: The biggest challenges include barriers in professional settings, unequal access to digital tools, and the need to balance standardisation with localisation. We address these through targeted business English courses, investing in digital infrastructure, and creating flexible learning modules that can be adapted to different contexts.
In the MENA region, bilingual education and STEM-focused e-learning are growing trends, preparing students for a globalised economy
Personalisation of learning is also a challenge, but AI can help make this scalable and cost-effective. Lastly, keeping learners motivated requires innovative methods like gamification, real-world tasks, and social learning environments.
Education UAE: How do you see the role of educators evolving in the field of English language learning?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Educators are evolving from instructors to facilitators and tech specialists. With the integration of AI, teachers are guiding students to become more independent learners while using technology to personalise learning. They are also cultural guides, especially in diverse regions like the UAE, where understanding global communication is crucial.
In the UAE, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) has seen over 25% growth in test volumes, indicating strong demand and confidence in the test
Educators must also be lifelong learners, continually updating their skills to stay relevant. Pearson supports this with initiatives like the Back-to-School AI Webinar Series, helping teachers integrate AI into their classrooms. As AI transforms education, educators are becoming even more vital, and we’re committed to ensuring they are well-equipped for this transition.
Education UAE: How do you see the role of educators evolving in the field of English language learning?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Educators are evolving from instructors to facilitators and tech specialists. With the integration of AI, teachers are guiding students to become more independent learners while using technology to personalise learning. They are also cultural guides, especially in diverse regions like the UAE, where understanding global communication is crucial.
Educators must also be lifelong learners, continually updating their skills to stay relevant. Pearson supports this with initiatives like the Back-to-School AI Webinar Series, helping teachers integrate AI into their classrooms. As AI transforms education, educators are becoming even more vital, and we’re committed to ensuring they are well-equipped for this transition.
Education UAE: What role do you think collaboration with local educational institutions plays in Pearson’s strategy in different markets, including Dubai?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Collaboration with local institutions is essential to our strategy. In Dubai, a largely private education market with a diverse student population, partnerships allow us to tailor our offerings to local needs. We’ve worked with groups like GEMS and UAE’s Applied Technology Schools, providing digital English courseware and assessments.
These partnerships not only help us grow but also align with the UAE’s broader goals of workforce development and preparing students for a globalised economy. Expanding these collaborations will be central to Pearson’s growth in the region.
Education UAE: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the English Language Learning division at Pearson over the next few years?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Our goals are to drive innovation, expand our reach, and ensure inclusivity in everything we do. We aim to become the leading destination for English learners to both learn and demonstrate proficiency.
We see significant growth opportunities in emerging markets like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Our focus will be on developing AI-powered assessments, immersive digital courseware, and personalised learning platforms. We’re also expanding our test centres and enhancing accessibility for students.
We’ll continue to support educators through professional development, empowering them to integrate new technologies into their teaching. By focusing on these areas, we aim to lead the way in English language learning globally.
Education UAE: In today’s globalised economy, how do corporate language training and assessment programmes like yours align with the evolving needs of multinational corporations and diverse workforces?
Giovanni Giovannelli: Pearson’s corporate language training and assessment programmes are designed to meet the evolving needs of multinational corporations. Our tools, like Mondly, offer immersive language learning experiences tailored to real-life tasks, while Versant provides reliable language proficiency assessments.
A strong emphasis on English proficiency as a key tool for success in employment and international opportunities.
By offering customised learning journeys and data-driven insights, we help corporations ensure their employees have the language and soft skills needed to thrive in a globalised economy. This alignment between language training and corporate needs is critical in today’s interconnected world.