The Reluctance of the Agents of Change: Language Teachers’ Perceptions of the Challenges of AI Integration

With advancements in technology and the increasing interest in the use of AI in education, English language teachers and researchers have been exploring different affordances and challenges of using AI for language learning. Teachers, frequently referred to as agents of change, play an important role in introducing reforms in education, and their perceptions can inform the process of integrating AI in language learning. Therefore, this study was carried out with the purpose of exploring the perceptions of state school English teachers in Iran about integrating AI in teaching and learning English, with the focus on the challenges they have and the reasons for their reluctance to utilize AI. Thirty English language teachers, including ۱۸ female and ۱۲ male teachers, with ۳-۲۰ years of experience, participated in this study. The data was gathered through semi-structured interviews which lasted about ۳۰ minutes each and were recorded with the teachers’ consent for analysis by the researcher. The interviews were transcribed and were analyzed through thematic analysis. The main themes that were extracted from the data included materials development, teachers’ professional development and evaluation, technological support, and beliefs and worries. The results of this study can shed more light on the realities of the context of English language teaching in Iran and the steps that need to be taken on the path of integrating AI efficiently in the process of teaching.

کلیدواژه ها:

Artificial Intelligence ، English language teaching ، Teacher perceptions