To thoroughly learn and implement the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, on 18 July 2023, the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the Open University of China (OUC) invited technical experts from iFLYTEK, and teachers from the Information Technology Department, to lecture the wider teaching team on the AI Oral English Training System.

The event introduced the construction of the adaptive system, and empowered teachers with the tools and knowledge required to develop their careers through AI. It also put into practice the idea of “strengthening the country through education,” part of a series of learning initiatives themed “A Leading Country in Education: The OUC's Role”.

Zheng Jipeng, secretary of the CPC branch of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, delivered a speech on behalf of the Faculty’s CPC branch. He said the OUC has always remained true to the original mission of “cultivating talents for the Party” while shouldering the historical responsibility of building a system of lifelong learning for society and adhering to its commitments through the overall strength of the OUC system. To this end, he said it is extremely important and urgent to empower foreign language teachers and develop their careers through AI. In the course of building a digital university, he added that great attention has been gained from OUC teachers and students on issues ranging from the development of digital resources to digital learning experiences. In turn, he said this raises requirements for the digital literacy of teachers. For one, it demands that teachers be familiar with the practical application of AI technology in the curriculum. For instance, the oral English training system optimises the learning path to suit the specific needs of students, and ensures foreign language courses are entertaining and accessible so as to improve their foreign language skills. 

The teachers also exchanged ideas on issues of concern, including exercise databases, grading criteria and training forms so as to boost student interest in foreign language learning, optimise the evaluation system, and promote effective learning. 

The event is one of the most important initiatives for the CPC branch of the Faculty in thoroughly implementing the general guidelines from the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the fifth group study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Through exchanges and discussion, foreign language teachers gained a more direct and deeper understanding into the integration of AI in foreign language teaching. They will now continue educational and teaching reforms with the aim of accomplishing the pilot for digitalisation, achieving the in-depth integration of AI in foreign language teaching, and taking practical actions to implement the building of a digital OUC based on the idea of “strengthening the country through education”.

Written by Zhao Yanjiao, Liu Ning, photographed by Miao Miao, OUC