EFL Instructors’ AI Competency: Scale Development and Validation

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into language education means that Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) instructors require specific competencies in AI in addition to generic digital literacy competencies. However, there is a significant gap with respect to validated tools that assess these AI competencies, especially in low-resource contexts. As such, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to measure AI competencies in Iranian TEFL instructors. The item pool was developed with consideration of a comprehensive literature review. After a pilot study, a ۲۴-item instrument was given to a sample of ۲۶۵ instructors. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed a solid five-factor structure comprised of Professional Development and Willingness to Learn, Ethical, Privacy and Bias Awareness, Technical Proficiency in AI Tools, AI Knowledge and Awareness, and Pedagogical Integration of AI, which explained ۷۰.۱۴% of total variance. The questionnaire demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of .۹۳ for the whole scale for the subscales.  Overall, the results provide a sophisticated understanding of the construct, offering policymakers and teacher trainers a diagnostic tool that can lead to planned professional development to help effectively, ethically, and pedagogically integrate AI into English as a Foreign language (EFL) education practices.

کلیدواژه ها:

Artificial Intelligence ، TEFL Instructors ، AI Competency ، Questionnaire Validation ، Digital Literacy