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(Re)Constructing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Tutor Identity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Insights from China's Shadow Education

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Title: (Re)Constructing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Tutor Identity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Insights from China's Shadow Education
Language: English
Authors: Yonghua Wang (ORCID 0000-0003-3216-4192), Haiyan Zhang (ORCID 0000-0002-9077-6851)
Source: European Journal of Education. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Language Teachers, Tutors, Tutoring, Private Education, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Identity, Teacher Student Relationship, Evaluative Thinking, Expertise
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1111/ejed.70651
ISSN: 0141-8211
1465-3435
Abstract: This study explores how English as a foreign language (EFL) tutors in China's competitive and challenging shadow education sector (re)construct their professional identities in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on semi-structured interviews and reflective teaching journals, the study investigates Chinese EFL tutors' identity work in AI-mediated tutoring contexts. The findings reveal three interrelated identity shifts. First, tutors reconstruct themselves from knowledge and skill providers to learning facilitators who guide students in analysing and refining AI-generated materials for exam-oriented tasks. Second, emotional and motivational support becomes a central dimension of tutor identity, as tutors respond to students' discouragement and uncertainty triggered by AI-generated feedback. Third, tutors construct themselves as interpreters and evaluators of AI-generated content, exercising pedagogical judgement to assess relevance, accuracy and alignment with assessment requirements. Across these dimensions, identity construction emerges as a key site of professional learning through which EFL tutors renegotiate expertise and sustain professional legitimacy amid technological disruption and market competition. The study contributes to research on language teacher identity and AI in education by highlighting how EFL tutors maintain epistemic authority in AI-mediated shadow education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507059
Database: ERIC
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  Data: (Re)Constructing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Tutor Identity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Insights from China's Shadow Education
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yonghua+Wang%22">Yonghua Wang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3216-4192">0000-0003-3216-4192</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Haiyan+Zhang%22">Haiyan Zhang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9077-6851">0000-0002-9077-6851</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 14
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Teachers%22">Language Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Tutors%22">Tutors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Tutoring%22">Tutoring</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Private+Education%22">Private Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Identity%22">Professional Identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Relationship%22">Teacher Student Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evaluative+Thinking%22">Evaluative Thinking</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expertise%22">Expertise</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/ejed.70651
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  Data: 0141-8211<br />1465-3435
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study explores how English as a foreign language (EFL) tutors in China's competitive and challenging shadow education sector (re)construct their professional identities in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on semi-structured interviews and reflective teaching journals, the study investigates Chinese EFL tutors' identity work in AI-mediated tutoring contexts. The findings reveal three interrelated identity shifts. First, tutors reconstruct themselves from knowledge and skill providers to learning facilitators who guide students in analysing and refining AI-generated materials for exam-oriented tasks. Second, emotional and motivational support becomes a central dimension of tutor identity, as tutors respond to students' discouragement and uncertainty triggered by AI-generated feedback. Third, tutors construct themselves as interpreters and evaluators of AI-generated content, exercising pedagogical judgement to assess relevance, accuracy and alignment with assessment requirements. Across these dimensions, identity construction emerges as a key site of professional learning through which EFL tutors renegotiate expertise and sustain professional legitimacy amid technological disruption and market competition. The study contributes to research on language teacher identity and AI in education by highlighting how EFL tutors maintain epistemic authority in AI-mediated shadow education.
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        Value: 10.1111/ejed.70651
    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
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      – SubjectFull: Private Education
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      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
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      – SubjectFull: Professional Identity
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluative Thinking
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      – SubjectFull: Expertise
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      – SubjectFull: China
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