Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI

This paper reconceptualizes the role of the teacher in the university foreign language classroom in an age of generative AI chatbots and automatic translation tools. We call for a reconceptualization of this role based on two factors: the unique social interactivity of the university language classr...

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Main Authors: Mark Tutton, Doron Cohen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/56
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author Mark Tutton
Doron Cohen
author_facet Mark Tutton
Doron Cohen
author_sort Mark Tutton
collection DOAJ
description This paper reconceptualizes the role of the teacher in the university foreign language classroom in an age of generative AI chatbots and automatic translation tools. We call for a reconceptualization of this role based on two factors: the unique social interactivity of the university language classroom and the need for effective instruction on how to use Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) tools outside of the classroom. We argue that the teacher must master and integrate these two different modes of teaching and learning. Interpersonal exchanges in class respond to the need for real-time human interaction and relatedness in language learning and so cannot, and should not, be wholly replaced by chatbots. Rather, these sorts of exchanges must form a cornerstone of on-campus foreign language pedagogy. In contrast, teachers must also be able to leverage the benefits of learner-facing AI tools, especially for use outside of the classroom, given the learning gains associated with them. We provide detailed examples of how this dual approach can be realized and propose a five-step approach for incorporating AI into university language pedagogy.
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spelling doaj-art-780bcc5f174e494aa290940e21826f462025-01-24T13:30:24ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-01-011515610.3390/educsci15010056Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AIMark Tutton0Doron Cohen1School of International Studies and Education, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKThis paper reconceptualizes the role of the teacher in the university foreign language classroom in an age of generative AI chatbots and automatic translation tools. We call for a reconceptualization of this role based on two factors: the unique social interactivity of the university language classroom and the need for effective instruction on how to use Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) tools outside of the classroom. We argue that the teacher must master and integrate these two different modes of teaching and learning. Interpersonal exchanges in class respond to the need for real-time human interaction and relatedness in language learning and so cannot, and should not, be wholly replaced by chatbots. Rather, these sorts of exchanges must form a cornerstone of on-campus foreign language pedagogy. In contrast, teachers must also be able to leverage the benefits of learner-facing AI tools, especially for use outside of the classroom, given the learning gains associated with them. We provide detailed examples of how this dual approach can be realized and propose a five-step approach for incorporating AI into university language pedagogy.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/56foreign language classroompedagogyteacherAIautomatic translation tools
spellingShingle Mark Tutton
Doron Cohen
Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
Education Sciences
foreign language classroom
pedagogy
teacher
AI
automatic translation tools
title Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
title_full Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
title_fullStr Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
title_full_unstemmed Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
title_short Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
title_sort reconceptualizing the role of the university language teacher in light of generative ai
topic foreign language classroom
pedagogy
teacher
AI
automatic translation tools
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/1/56
work_keys_str_mv AT marktutton reconceptualizingtheroleoftheuniversitylanguageteacherinlightofgenerativeai
AT doroncohen reconceptualizingtheroleoftheuniversitylanguageteacherinlightofgenerativeai