Repositioning Artificial Intelligence in English Language Education: Ethical Challenges and Teachers’ Role
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligenc, English Language Education, Ethics, Teachers, Digital LiteracyAbstract
Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been widely recognized for enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and personalized learning in English language education, limited studies have critically examined its ethical implications and the evolving role of teachers in maintaining human-centered learning. This study aims to critically explore the ethical challenges of AI integration and redefine the role of teachers in fostering responsible and humanistic educational practices. Using a qualitative literature review with thematic analysis of peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025, this research identifies three major themes: (1) the risk of over-reliance on AI in pedagogical processes, (2) the importance of integrating ethical digital literacy into English language teaching, and (3) the transformation of teachers' roles as facilitators, mediators, and ethical guides in AI-supported classrooms. The findings reveal that AI should function as a complementary educational tool rather than a replacement for teachers. Moreover, teachers remain essential in ensuring that AI is used ethically, critically, and in alignment with pedagogical objectives. This study proposes a balanced framework for responsible AI integration that promotes synergy between technological innovation and humanistic pedagogy, offering practical implications for sustainable and ethically informed English language education.
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