Impact of AI on English for Academic Purposes

Abstract

The advent of digital technologies has significantly transformed language education, particularly in the field of English for Academic Purposes (EAP). EAP focuses on equipping non-native English speakers with the necessary linguistic and academic skills for success in higher education, and it is increasingly integrating technological innovations to improve learning outcomes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out among these innovations as a disruptive force, offering opportunities for personalized learning, automated feedback, and access to vast amounts of authentic academic content.

Traditionally, EAP instruction has relied on human-led feedback, extensive reading, and structured writing assignments. While these methods remain fundamental, the emergence of sophisticated AI-powered tools, such as advanced grammar checkers, intelligent tutoring systems, and large language models, necessitates a critical re-evaluation of EAP pedagogy. These tools aim to address long-standing EAP challenges, including the scalability of personalized feedback, the provision of authentic language contexts, and the scaffolding of complex academic tasks.