THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ELT: BALANCING PEDAGOGICAL BENEFITS AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This article explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into English Language Teaching (ELT), examining both its transformative pedagogical opportunities and the accompanying methodological and ethical challenges. AI-powered applications, including Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) tools, Large Language Models (LLMs), and interactive chatbots, offer significant advantages by enhancing writing skills, mitigating Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) in oral practice, and enabling differentiated, self-paced instruction in mixed-ability classrooms. However, the unchecked adoption of these technologies introduces critical risks, including threats to academic integrity, cognitive passivity among learners, and pedagogical misalignment stemming from a lack of teacher preparedness. To maximize the educational value of AI while safeguarding learning outcomes, the paper proposes a framework centered on fostering teacher AI literacy, transitioning toward process-oriented assessment models, and formulating clear institutional guidelines. Ultimately, the study concludes that AI should serve as an empowering pedagogical aid guided by human instruction rather than a replacement for cognitive engagement.