ELC instructor Mary Cheng interacts with students in the classroom
The ELC advocates the student-centred classroom with AI playing the role as an assistant. Although AI teachers replacing human teachers has been in the news recently with, for example, Adelaide University having tentative plans to phase out face-to-face lectures, and closer to home HKUST has introduced an AI lecturer in one of its subjects, the power of AI to replace all the features that a qualified human teacher brings to the classroom is not yet possible. The ELC keeps abreast of these changes and has long been at the forefront of innovations such as co-hosting the Symposium on Repositioning Language Education in the Age of AI, sharing resources on how GenAI can be used in the language classroom, and making materials more accessible through AI created podcasts.
Language exit tests are also back in the news with local universities such as Lingnan and EdUHK requiring students to take a language exit test, while other universities such as Hong Kong Metropolitan University and the PolyU offer reimbursement to student taking language tests. The ELC already offers online resources and F2F workshops for students planning to take IELTS. Language tests can act as a motivational tool to encourage students to improve their language skills, but it is debatable whether a test alone can lead to sustained language improvement.
The ELC was interested to find out student views about AI teachers and language exit tests. At the end of each semester, Student Staff Consultative Meetings (SSCMs) are held for each ELC subject, and during these meetings in the last semester students were asked for their views on the above. Full reports can be found at these links (AI Teachers and Exit Tests), or you can listen to a short podcast talking about the reports below.
In summary, students recommend retaining and enhancing the current interactive language courses and using AI as a supplementary tool to support human teachers. This approach addresses the potential benefits of AI while retaining the irreplaceable human elements in fostering a dynamic and holistic learning environment. Students also expressed concerns about a compulsory language exit test.
Language exit tests are also back in the news with local universities such as Lingnan and EdUHK requiring students to take a language exit test, while other universities such as Hong Kong Metropolitan University and the PolyU offer reimbursement to student taking language tests. The ELC already offers online resources and F2F workshops for students planning to take IELTS. Language tests can act as a motivational tool to encourage students to improve their language skills, but it is debatable whether a test alone can lead to sustained language improvement.
The ELC was interested to find out student views about AI teachers and language exit tests. At the end of each semester, Student Staff Consultative Meetings (SSCMs) are held for each ELC subject, and during these meetings in the last semester students were asked for their views on the above. Full reports can be found at these links (AI Teachers and Exit Tests), or you can listen to a short podcast talking about the reports below.
In summary, students recommend retaining and enhancing the current interactive language courses and using AI as a supplementary tool to support human teachers. This approach addresses the potential benefits of AI while retaining the irreplaceable human elements in fostering a dynamic and holistic learning environment. Students also expressed concerns about a compulsory language exit test.
