GENERATIVE AI AND THE ILLUSION OF COMPETENCE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21898361Keywords:
generative artificial intelligence, English language learning, illusion of competence, cognitive offloading, metacognition.Abstract
This paper examines the “illusion of competence” in English language learning associated with the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Drawing on research on cognitive offloading, metacognition, learner agency, and AI-assisted education, it considers the gap between high-quality AI-supported academic output and students’ independently demonstrated competence. The paper argues that the main pedagogical concern is not GenAI itself, but the delegation of cognitive processes essential for language development. An engagement-oriented approach is proposed in which AI-generated content is evaluated, explained, revised, and transformed by learners.References
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