The Signals

In today’s episode of signals podcast, host Kelsey Peterson sits down with Richard McDorman, Chief Academic Officer at Language On Schools, to dig into the intersection of language learning, technology, and regulation in U.S. education.

They discussed how Language On Schools uses technology across their ten campuses to support students from their first contact all the way through graduation, and how tech has transformed everything from placement testing to classroom instruction. But it’s not just about the tools, Richard McDorman explains why, for students on visas, live, in-person learning isn’t just preferred, but required by U.S. immigration law.

Together, they explore why group dynamics and social interaction are so fundamental to language acquisition, and look ahead to the role AI and digital innovation might play, without shying away from the real regulatory and cultural challenges along the way. Plus, Richard McDorman shares his perspective as a certified translator on how machine translation is reshaping motivation and opportunity for language learners worldwide.

Whether you’re a language educator, a tech enthusiast, or just fascinated by the future of learning, this episode is packed with insights on what it really takes to master a new language in our digital age.

05:13 Student Assessment & Proficiency Measures

09:08 Student Visa Rules Limit Online Learning

11:01 Student Visa Rules for Online Learning

14:53 Language Learning: In-Person vs. AI

17:57 "AI Won't Replace Language Classrooms"

22:07 "AI Enables Remote Language Learning"

27:29 "AI Mimicking Human Interaction"

28:45 "AI Mimics Human Interaction"

32:23 "AI Transforming Education Potential"

37:56 Language Learning: Motivation and Technology

40:33 "Adapting Appalachian English Dialect"

If you’re thinking about the future of language learning, international education, or the role of AI in real classrooms, this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been missing. A rare, candid look at how technology actually shows up across the student journey, from recruitment to assessment to daily instruction, and why legal and regulatory forces matter just as much as innovation. Clear, grounded explanations of what can go online, what never should, and why socially mediated learning is still the heart of language acquisition. And a forward-looking but realistic take on AI: when it genuinely expands access, when it can’t replicate human interaction, and what the next decades of immersive tech might make possible.


Connect with Richard McDorman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardmcdorman
Company Website: https://languageonschools.com/
Richard’s Website: https://richardmcdorman.org/ 

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-peterson-b80171142/ 

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/ 

Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/ 

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