AI-powered Natural Language Processing powered by AI in Language Education: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigates the potential of Natural Language Processing (NLP) based Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance literacy development in higher education. We reviewed (n=63) documents published between 2015 and 2023, exploring how NLP has been used in language education within processes of literacy, biliteracy instruction, and language assessment. The literature reveals exploratory integrations and empirical evidence of the impact of these technologies in language instruction, learning, and assessment which sheds light on NLP software tools used and key application areas. Our findings reveal exploratory integrations and initial evidence for the impact of NLP-based AI on language education, language instruction, assessment and feedback, existing challenges and future directions, as well as ethical considerations that reveal the ongoing debates and efforts to leverage AI powered technologies to current curricular approaches in higher education.