Integrating Western Andragogy in Chinese EFL Instruction: Cultural Implications, Teaching Practices, and an AI-Mediated Framework
Published 2026-02-20
Keywords
- Andragogy, Confucianism, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Flexibility, Knowledge Transmission, AI
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Viktor Wang; Dr. Geraldine Torrisi-Steele

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Generative AI is emerging as a transformative tool in foreign language education because it can enable natural language interaction, adaptive feedback, and personalized learning. In China, where English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education is closely tied to national development and individual mobility, interest in AI-enhanced learning is growing. Yet adult EFL instruction remains shaped by teacher-centered traditions, exam pressures, and hierarchical norms, even as learner-centered and andragogical practices gain attention. This article analyzes the cultural and systemic context of adult EFL in China and reports survey findings on Chinese EFL teachers’ orientations toward teacher-centered versus andragogical approaches. Results suggest that while learner-centered elements appear, instruction is still predominantly teacher-directed. To address this gap, the article proposes the AI-Mediated Andragogical EFL framework, integrating andragogy, sociocultural theory, self-regulated learning, and formative feedback theory to guide coherent AI use. The framework positions teachers as learning orchestrators and identifies contextual constraints shaping implementation.
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