AI challenge for English education in spotlight

Rose Luckin, an expert on AI in education and emeritus professor at University College London, said through an online video link that artificial intelligence can be leveraged to promote high-quality and accessible English language learning worldwide.

AI-powered tools and platforms have great potential to personalize learning, provide real-time feedback and bridge gaps, Luckin said.

"Generative AI can be used as a tool in education to tackle the big educational challenges," Luckin said, adding that this includes automated marking and feedback, intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive testing.

Luckin addressed the importance of developing ethical frameworks and policies to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and inclusively in global English education.

She highlighted the need for educators to acquire new skills and adapt their pedagogical approaches to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices.

Zhang Xinsheng, a professor at Richmond American University London in the United Kingdom, talked about university foreign language learning and teaching in the AI era and the role of university education.

There is a trend worldwide that university language programs are decreasing along with the rise of technologies, especially AI-powered platforms, which make personalized learning and teaching possible and popular, he said.

"Language teachers should also be lifelong learners, with empathy and understanding of what language learning and teaching is about in the age of globalization and AI today," he said.

Ge Bingfang, an ELT supervisor from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, focused on the voices and experiences from EFL classrooms in high schools.

Teachers apply AI in diverse ways, including essay grading and text analysis, to enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement, Ge said.

While using AI in teaching can improve the efficiency of lesson preparation and classroom interaction, it also raises concerns regarding originality and copyrights, he said.