ADVANCING FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING WITH AI-ASSISTED MODELS; INSIGHTS FROM LECTURERS AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS

Abstract

Artificial intelligence has provided universities with arrays of tools to advance the teaching of foreign languages and improve the performance of their students. Attempts have been made to expounds on the benefits of integration of artificial intelligence tools in 21st century foreign language classrooms, at university levels; however, it is crucial to gain insights from university administrators and lecturers on the nature of their current curriculum, the factors impeding integration of AI models in their foreign language lecture halls, and perception of the varying significance of AI in improving students’ performance and teachers’ efficiency. This paper pursues an analysis of the challenges and prospects of full integration of artificial intelligence at the university levels, in teaching foreign languages. The study community includes 180 university administrators at various administrative positions, and 120 university lecturers from Jordanian and Saudi institutions. The respondents were selected randomly, and data was collected through administration of digitally designed questionnaires. Data was analysed using relevant statistical measuring tools, which are contained in different descriptive statistical tables. Findings indicate that over 80% of the sample accepted that AI models are not fully integrated or not integrated at all in their respective universities/ Over 38% of the participants rejected the claim that full integration of AI models in foreign language education may distract students. Whereas majority rejected this claim, the acceptance of the claim by over 20% is indicative of the apprehension of the system. Again, 32% of the surveyed population acknowledged the insufficiency of proficiently trained personnel within the university system to effectively incorporate artificial intelligence into the pedagogy of foreign languages. It is therefore imperative for universities to include the knowledge of AI models in their recruitment criteria and to fully embrace the use of AI patterns in foreign language teaching, considering the huge impacts on students’ performance.