Attitudes of primary and secondary EFL teachers in Croatia towards the use of AI in classroom settings

Prosenjak, Bojan (author), Jakupčević, Eva (author)

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning has rapidly increased with the widespread popularity of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Research highlights the need for school-age learners to develop digital literacy skills to engage critically and responsibly with AI-based tools. Equally important is the role of (language) teachers, who must possess the skills necessary to guide students in navigating and leveraging this technology effectively. This exploratory study investigates the extent of EFL teachers’ knowledge and their attitudes toward using AI tools for language learning. Focusing on primary and secondary school EFL teachers in Croatia, the study aims to shed light on their perspectives on and preparedness for integration of AI into the language classroom, addressing a critical aspect of modern education and contributing to a deeper understanding of what educators need to successfully incorporate AI into their teaching.

• Language: English
• Keywords: artificial intelligence (AI), teacher attitudes, EFL, digital competence, teaching methods, primary school, secondary school
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 133-150
• Numbering: Vol. 22, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180487
• UDC: [811.111’243:37.091.3(497.5)]:004.8
• ISSN on article: 1581-8918
• DOI: 10.4312/elope.22.1.133-150
• COBISS.SI-ID: 271126531
• Publication date in RUL: 10.03.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: ELOPE. English language overseas perspectives and enquiries
• Shortened title: ELOPE
• Publisher: Slovensko društvo za angleške študije, Slovensko društvo za angleške študije, Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani, Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1581-8918
• COBISS.SI-ID: 212890112

Licences

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
• Description: This Creative Commons license is very similar to the regular Attribution license, but requires the release of all derivative works under this same license.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Pogled osnovno- in srednješolskih učiteljev in učiteljic angleščine kot tujega jezika na Hrvaškem na uporabo UI pri pouku

Abstract

Uporaba umetne inteligence (UI) pri učenju jezikov je močno narasla z razmahom generativnih orodij UI, kot je ChatGPT. Raziskave poudarjajo potrebo po digitalni pismenosti učencev in učenk za kritično in odgovorno uporabo orodij UI. Prav tako je pri tem ključna vloga učiteljev in učiteljic (jezikov), ki morajo imeti ustrezna znanja za učinkovito usmerjanje učečih se pri uporabi te tehnologije. Ta študija ugotavlja raven znanja in stališča učiteljev in učiteljic angleščine kot tujega jezika (EFL) do uporabe orodij UI pri jezikovnem pouku. Raziskava osvetljuje stališča in pripravljenost učiteljev in učiteljic osnovnih in srednjih šol na Hrvaškem za vključevanje UI v jezikovni pouk ter prispeva k razumevanju njihovih potreb za uspešno integracijo UI v učni proces.

• Keywords: umetna inteligenca (UI), stališča učiteljev in učiteljic, angleščina kot tuji jezik, digitalne kompetence, učne metode, osnovna šola, srednja šola