Inteligência Artificial e ensino de inglês como língua estrangeira: inovação tecnológica e metodológica/de abordagem?

Abstract

This study aims to problematize the teaching of English as a foreign language (EFL) that has happened through new technologies, one of the most recent being artificial intelligence (AI). In this sense, we seek to understand if the applicability of AI has also innovated the methods and/or approaches of EFL teaching. We start with the hypothesis that the software analyzed in this research, that is, Velawoods English, Lingualia, Duolingo and Write & Improve, although using state-of-the-art technology, still rely on more traditional teaching methods that may not reflect the potential of the technologies used. We aim, therefore, to investigate how the AI is incorporated in these types of software. To achieve this general objective, we list the following specific objectives: to describe the language practices made available in the four kinds of software; to analyze, to what extent, the AI affects or alter the teaching methods of these products; to analyze the teaching / learning discourse of EFL mediated by AI technology. In view of these objectives, we intend to answer the following research questions: Has the use of AI technology in the four software products innovated or altered the methods and / or approaches of EFL teaching? If so, how? In relation to human language functioning, how can we understand this relationship between EFL learning with machine mediation? Thus, based mainly on the field of Critical Applied Linguistics, we use a qualitative, discursive approach and bibliographical research. It should be pointed out that of the four software selected for analysis, we chose only part of its extensive materials, which can be categorized as follows: a) institutional materials, that is, videos of the software companies with information about their products, and with the intent to understand their teaching-learning proposals and b) didactic contents, that is, activities of EFL speech and writing, to understand their methods and the relation with AI technology. In relation to b, we analyze: the types of materials (visual, linguistic, media, etc.), the themes and subjects that support the activities in these software, the types of feedback to the user (e.g.: written or oral, feedbacks, etc.). Research indicates that while software uses cutting-edge technology such as AI, we do not experience major changes from one method to another. With regard to technologies we have identified a certain evolution from one to another. Learning English language with machines enables the student / online user to experience multimodality and multiliteracy making it possible to construct meanings through linguistic practices to act in and with the globalized world.