Speaker
Description
The growing interest in AI integration in education calls for a deeper understanding of how teachers exercise their agency in using AI tools for instructional purposes. While existing studies highlight the potential of AI in language teaching, further research is needed to explore how teachers navigate personal, pedagogical, and institutional factors when adopting such technologies. Against this backdrop, this study examined the agency of EFL lecturers in the Mekong Delta in using AI in teaching. Grounded in the Teacher Ecological Agency (TEA) model and the Transforming Teachers’ Roles and Agencies Framework, an explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed. A questionnaire was administered to 24 lecturers, followed by interviews with 5 participants. Quantitative results showed that lecturers' prior experiences and future aspirations strongly influenced their use of AI. Qualitative findings revealed the challenges faced by lecturers, including infrastructure limitations, concerns about student over-reliance on AI, and the need for formal guidelines and differentiated professional development. The study suggests that promoting AI use requires targeted professional development and clearer institutional policies that support teachers’ long-term growth and autonomy.
Biography
Phan Ngoc Thao earned her B.A. in English from Tay Do University, Can Tho City, Vietnam, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at Can Tho University. Her research interests include English language teaching, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, active learning strategies, and technology-enhanced pedagogy. She is proficient in digital tools, instructional technology, and classroom methodologies. With practical experience in EFL instruction, she has conducted studies and obtained qualifications in English linguistics and language education.
Associate Prof. Nguyen Van Loi has extensively engaged in teacher education both pre-service and in-service at Can Tho University.
