Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education

Abstract The current study investigates how faculty members in Chinese universities are navigating the integration of generative artificial intelligence tools into second language curricula, focusing on specific pedagogical and institutional challenges. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method a...

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Main Authors: Javed Iqbal, Vafa Asgarova, Zarqa Farooq Hashmi, Berty Nsolly Ngajie, Muhammad Zaheer Asghar, Hanna Järvenoja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Computing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09655-6
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author Javed Iqbal
Vafa Asgarova
Zarqa Farooq Hashmi
Berty Nsolly Ngajie
Muhammad Zaheer Asghar
Hanna Järvenoja
author_facet Javed Iqbal
Vafa Asgarova
Zarqa Farooq Hashmi
Berty Nsolly Ngajie
Muhammad Zaheer Asghar
Hanna Järvenoja
author_sort Javed Iqbal
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The current study investigates how faculty members in Chinese universities are navigating the integration of generative artificial intelligence tools into second language curricula, focusing on specific pedagogical and institutional challenges. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach (N = 776), we examined how faculty perceive and address key areas of concern: curriculum adaptation, assessment transformation, student engagement, ethical concerns, professional development needs, and pedagogical shifts. Unlike prior studies, which often generalize faculty experiences, this study uniquely captures nuanced faculty strategies and gaps in readiness across a large-scale context in Chinese higher education. Results indicated that faculty members exhibited significant usage of generative artificial intelligence tools both for personal and professional purposes. They also used generative artificial intelligence tools for formative assessment practices, with limited application in summative assessments. Results indicated faculty faced Generative AI tool usage challenges like curriculum adaptation, assessment transformation, student engagement with generative artificial intelligence tools, ethical concerns, professional development, and pedagogical shifts. The findings also demonstrated that faculty members were struggling to address these challenges. Furthermore, outcomes indicated that professional development and ethical concerns directly, indirectly, positively and significantly contribute to helping faculty to enhance student engagement and pedagogical shifts in their teaching practices. Additionally, curriculum adaptation and assessment transformation have also mediated these relationships. These findings contribute novel insights into how professional development can support effective GenAI integration. Implications are offered for faculty development programs, curriculum design policies, and institutional governance in the era of AI-enhanced education.
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spelling doaj-art-ba9a1f93e9844ea08622845d08da26f32025-08-20T02:10:31ZengSpringerDiscover Computing2948-29922025-06-0128112610.1007/s10791-025-09655-6Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher educationJaved Iqbal0Vafa Asgarova1Zarqa Farooq Hashmi2Berty Nsolly Ngajie3Muhammad Zaheer Asghar4Hanna Järvenoja5School of English Studies, Zhejiang International Studies UniversitySchool of Education, Zhejiang International Studies UniversitySchool of Education, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologySchool of English Studies, Zhejiang International Studies UniversityLearning and Educational Technology Research Lab (LET), Learning and Learning Processes Research unit, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of OuluLearning and Educational Technology Research Lab (LET), Learning and Learning Processes Research unit, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of OuluAbstract The current study investigates how faculty members in Chinese universities are navigating the integration of generative artificial intelligence tools into second language curricula, focusing on specific pedagogical and institutional challenges. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach (N = 776), we examined how faculty perceive and address key areas of concern: curriculum adaptation, assessment transformation, student engagement, ethical concerns, professional development needs, and pedagogical shifts. Unlike prior studies, which often generalize faculty experiences, this study uniquely captures nuanced faculty strategies and gaps in readiness across a large-scale context in Chinese higher education. Results indicated that faculty members exhibited significant usage of generative artificial intelligence tools both for personal and professional purposes. They also used generative artificial intelligence tools for formative assessment practices, with limited application in summative assessments. Results indicated faculty faced Generative AI tool usage challenges like curriculum adaptation, assessment transformation, student engagement with generative artificial intelligence tools, ethical concerns, professional development, and pedagogical shifts. The findings also demonstrated that faculty members were struggling to address these challenges. Furthermore, outcomes indicated that professional development and ethical concerns directly, indirectly, positively and significantly contribute to helping faculty to enhance student engagement and pedagogical shifts in their teaching practices. Additionally, curriculum adaptation and assessment transformation have also mediated these relationships. These findings contribute novel insights into how professional development can support effective GenAI integration. Implications are offered for faculty development programs, curriculum design policies, and institutional governance in the era of AI-enhanced education.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09655-6Pedagogical challengesGenerative artificial intelligence toolsSecond Language curriculaFaculty perspectives
spellingShingle Javed Iqbal
Vafa Asgarova
Zarqa Farooq Hashmi
Berty Nsolly Ngajie
Muhammad Zaheer Asghar
Hanna Järvenoja
Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
Discover Computing
Pedagogical challenges
Generative artificial intelligence tools
Second Language curricula
Faculty perspectives
title Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
title_full Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
title_fullStr Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
title_full_unstemmed Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
title_short Exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in Chinese higher education
title_sort exploring faculty experiences with generative artificial intelligence tools integration in second language curricula in chinese higher education
topic Pedagogical challenges
Generative artificial intelligence tools
Second Language curricula
Faculty perspectives
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09655-6
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