The Evolution of Foreign Language Teachers' Roles in the Age of AI
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63313/IJSSEH.9016Keywords:
AI technologies, foreign language teaching, the role of educatorsAbstract
The rise of AI technologies—particularly tools like ChatGPT and adaptive learn-ing platforms—is transforming traditional foreign language teaching, making it necessary to redefine the role of educators. Drawing on UNESCO’s AI-Supported Education: Opportunities and Challenges (2023), China’s Beijing Consensus (2023), and real-world case studies, this paper explores how AI is reshaping the identity and responsibilities of foreign language teachers.
AI acts as both a disruptor of conventional teaching authority and a catalyst for innovation. The study finds that teachers are evolving from knowledge providers into learning facilitators, cultural mediators, ethical guardians of AI use, and tech-integration specialists. While AI enhances efficiency, human qualities—such as empathy, cultural awareness, and critical thinking—remain irreplaceable. Thus, this paper proposes a "human-AI collaboration" model to help educators adapt.
Ultimately, for AI to truly improve—rather than undermine—foreign language education, systemic support is crucial, including policy frameworks, teacher training, and ethical guidelines.
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