An Overview of the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Foreign Language Teaching

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Published: Oct 30, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/lincu-2024-si-0385
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artificial intelligence AI foreign language course opportunities challenges teacher's role

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Alina Bruckner
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania
Alexandra Chiriac
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania

Abstract

This paper intends to examine the potential uses and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the field of foreign language didactics. Starting from an overview of the current state of artificial technology, this paper proceeds to present and analyze some of the most well-known AI tools and applications available today, focusing particularly on their potential uses and benefits in the foreign language course. Even though the primary emphasis is placed on the way in which AI tools could significantly enhance both the learning and teaching experience, the authors also address the inherent limitations and challenges that such tools and applications currently pose. The paper discusses various issues, such as technical difficulties, accessibility concerns, and the need for human oversight. In addition, the authors consider the necessity of redefining not only the structure and content of foreign language courses, but also the evolving role of the teacher in an AI-integrated educational environment, suggesting that while AI can offer substantial support, the teacher’s role remains indispensable for providing contextualized guidance, emotional support, and personalized feedback.

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How to Cite
Bruckner, A., and A. Chiriac. “An Overview of the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Foreign Language Teaching”. Linguaculture, vol. 15, no. Special Issue, Oct. 2024, pp. 29-43, doi:10.47743/lincu-2024-si-0385.
Issue
Vol. 15 No. Special Issue (2024): Interconnected Learning and Teaching in the Post-Pandemic Era
Section
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Alina Bruckner, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania

Alina BRUCKNER has been Senior Lecturer at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași since 2013, specializing in intercultural communication, DaF (German as a Foreign Language) didactics, and business German. She defended her doctoral dissertation in literary studies, Carmen Sylva in the Context of 19th-Century German-Language Mass Literature, in 2013, which she later published with Dr. Kovac Verlag in 2017. She has authored several academic articles and contributions on intercultural communication and cultural transfer between German and Romanian linguistic cultures, particularly through translations. Additionally, she serves as an instructor and certified examiner at the German Cultural Center in Iași. Since 2023, she has coordinated the ILT project (Interconnected Learning and Teaching) with Alexandra Chiriac, organizing an international conference on foreign language didactics in November 2023.

Alexandra Chiriac, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania

Alexandra CHIRIAC has been Senior Lecturer and researcher at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași since 2011, with research interests in translation studies, terminology, DaF didactics, and intercultural communication. Her doctoral dissertation in literary studies, Parzival’s Transformation: Postmodern Hypostases of ‘Parzival’ in Late 20th-Century German-Language Literature, was published at Hartung Gorre Verlag 2013. Since then her research focus shifted to cultural and scholarly transfer between German- and Romanian-speaking cultures, particularly through translations. Alexandra Chiriac is also part of the teaching team at the German Cultural Center in Iași, where she works as an instructor, examiner, and teacher trainer. Together with Alina Bruckner, she coordinates the ILT project, organizing the international conference Interconnected Learning and Teaching in 2023 and editing of the academic journal ILT International Journal for Foreign Languages (first edition 2024).

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