The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced transformative tools for language teaching, offering personalized learning pathways, automated feedback, and enhanced engagement. Despite these benefits, it is noticeable that Vietnamese higher education ESL teachers often hesitate to integrate AI-powered tools into different phases of their pedagogy.

This study investigates the barriers that deter ESL instructors from adopting AI-driven technologies. Drawing on qualitative interviews, an anonymous survey with participants from universities in Hanoi, Vietnam, and a review of existing literature, the findings reveal key challenges, including limited familiarity with AI tools, concerns over reliability and data privacy, perceived threats to teaching autonomy, and uncertainty about pedagogical alignment. Additionally, the study explores how institutional support and professional development opportunities influence adoption rates. It emphasizes the need for tailored professional development programs and robust departmental support systems to encourage the use of technology in ESL teaching.

By addressing these barriers, this paper lays a foundation for future research on actionable strategies to promote the effective integration of AI-powered tools in ESL education. The study contributes to the growing discourse on educational AI by offering actionable insights for educators to enhance teaching practices, policymakers to design supportive policies, and technology developers to create user-friendly tools tailored to ESL contexts.

Authors:
Le Thuc Anh Pham, Univerisity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

About the Presenter(s)
M.A. Le Thuc Anh Pham holds a master’s degree in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on self-regulated learning and emerging technologies in education.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/le-thuc-anh-pham/

Additional website of interest
https://ltanhpham.wixsite.com/portfolio

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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