Generative Artificial Intelligence in English Language Education: Potential, Challenges, and the Path Forward
Becky H. Huang, Xun Yan · TESOL Quarterly · 2025
T his Special Issue takes up a timely and pressing question: As genera- tive artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools become increasingly prevalent in educational settings, how are they transforming English language education landscapes?While GenAI offers unprecedented opportunities for language teaching, learning, and assessment, such as personalized instruction, immediate feedback, and access to rich linguistic input, its impact on pedagogical effectiveness and assessment validity remains hotly debated.This collection of studies explored how GenAI is influencing, reshaping, and at times challenging established models of English language instruction and evaluation.We argue that although GenAI holds significant promise for English language education, its value and limitations must be carefully examined through empirical research and critical reflection.We begin by highlighting the Special Issue's key contributions to the field of language education, with a particular focus on the teaching, learning, and assessment of English productive skills.We then turn to the gaps in the existing literature on AI integration in English language education, as revealed by the studies in this issue.These include methodological limitations, assessment-related concerns, and ethical considerations arising from the use of GenAI in current studies.Finally, we reflect on both the promises and potential pitfalls of AI and propose a way forward grounded