What the study found
Turkish language teacher candidates generally described AI (artificial intelligence) in language learning with mostly positive or neutral metaphors. Most participants saw AI as a teacher, learner, method, strategy, guide, helper, or an evolving living organism, while a smaller group viewed it as a danger or threat.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these views highlight the importance of adding AI literacy and ethics to teacher education. They suggest that preparing future language teachers to use AI in a confident, critical, and human-centred way may support AI use in schools.
What the researchers tested
The study used a qualitative phenomenological design to explore metaphors used by 46 Turkish language teacher candidates in Northern Cyprus. Participants were third- and fourth-year undergraduates who answered the prompt, “AI is like because…”, and their responses were analyzed with content analysis and expert validation.
What worked and what didn't
The researchers identified 46 valid metaphors and grouped them into five thematic categories: AI as Teacher or Learner, Method/Strategy, Evolving Living Organism, Guide/Helper, and Danger/Threat. Four of these categories reflected positive or neutral attitudes, and one reflected negative views; overall, 78.3% of participants expressed optimistic views and 21.7% expressed concerns.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes a single group of 46 Turkish language teacher candidates in Northern Cyprus, so the findings are limited to that sample. It does not report broader testing beyond the metaphor analysis, and no additional limitations are described in the available summary.
Key points
- 46 Turkish language teacher candidates took part in the study.
- Participants produced 46 valid metaphors about AI in language learning.
- Five themes emerged, including AI as teacher/learner, guide/helper, and danger/threat.
- Most participants, 78.3%, expressed optimistic views about AI.
- The authors say AI literacy and ethics should be included in teacher education.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Teacher candidates mostly view AI positively in language learning
- Authors:
- Ahmet Güneyli, Selma Korkmaz, Esra Karabacak, Fatma Aslantürk Altıntuğ
- Institutions:
- European University of Lefke, European University of Lefke, Ministry of Education and Culture, Near East University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- DOI:
- 10.3390/ai7030100
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Rektz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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