Evolution of foreign language education in the age of AI

Abstract

With the impact of technology, the nature of knowledge (from static to dynamic and from acquired to co-constructed) and learning theories (from behaviourist/approaches to constructivism) have been redefined. This paradigm shift has transformed the roles of the teacher (facilitator) and the student (active learner) and has brought personalised learning and 21st-century skills to the forefront. With the acceleration of this effect by artificial intelligence, language teaching and learning have also been radically affected within this framework. In this context, this conceptual study examines the transformative effect of artificial intelligence on foreign language education. In this study, firstly, the historical development of language teaching methods and the place of AI in this development are discussed. Then, how AI can restructure existing language acquisition theories is mentioned. Finally, the adversities that may be encountered in AI-supported language education are addressed.