Rector Jun Liu shares the transformation of English language teaching through AI empowerment at TOEFL Annual Conference

The 2023 TOEFL Annual Conference and the inaugural TOEFL International Education Expo were recently held in Beijing. The conference, organized by ETS China, received strong support from institutions such as the China Education Association for International Exchange, China Daily’s 21st Century English Education Media, and the Center for China and Globalization (CCG). With the theme “Breakthrough and Collaboration,” the event brought together hundreds of experts, scholars, and education professionals from domestic and international universities, international schools, and educational institutions. They shared the latest trends and developments in the fields of international education, talent cultivation, smart educational technology, and assessment.

Professor Jun Liu, Rector of City University of Macau, was invited to attend the conference. He delivered a keynote speech titled “How will AI transform ELT,” exploring the transformation of English language teaching through the empowerment of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. He also provided corresponding recommendations regarding the challenges and opportunities of AI technology in language learning, teaching, and assessment.

Professor Liu Jun believes that AI technology empowering language teaching is the future trend of education. In his speech, he elaborated on how AI technology has greatly changed the English language teaching model in six major aspects:

• Provides personalized and customized learning paths and content.
• Supports interactive dialogue with virtual tutors, simulating real-life situations and providing immediate feedback.
• Enhances the inclusivity of English language teaching, providing practical assistance to learners with special needs or limited resources.
• Provides objectively assessment on grammar, vocabulary, and fluency performance.
• Assists learners in adjusting learning content and materials according to their needs.
• Serves as a language partner for learners, helping them practice language skills anytime and anywhere.

Facing the opportunities and challenges brought by the AI era to traditional language learning, teaching, and assessment, Professor Liu Jun presented seven suggestions for effectively utilizing AI to provide a more efficient, engaging, and inclusive language learning experience.

ETS (Educational Testing Service) is the world’s largest nonprofit educational assessment organization. The aim of this conference was to enhance international education and higher education through digitalization and intelligence, adapting to the evolving educational service system, and better constructing an educational ecosystem and an international talent development ecosystem. The goal was to serve the high-quality innovative development of international education and global higher education.

Source: ETS China