GEN AI-EMPOWERED MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHING THROUGH ‘ONE CORE, THREE STAGES, AND FIVE DIMENSIONS’

Abstract

This study investigates the pedagogical pathways and mechanisms through which Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) specifically ChatGPT empowers middle school English teaching. Guided by the “One Core, Three Stages, and Five Dimensions” framework, the research employed a qualitative case study design involving a series of professional development webinars for English teachers in Hunan Province, China. Data were collected through webinar transcripts, interactive discussions, and reflective essays, and analysed using NVivo-assisted thematic analysis. The findings identified five key themes: enhancement of pedagogical competence, increased teacher motivation and reflective practice, student engagement and personalized learning, ethical awareness and responsible AI use, and the need for continuous professional development and institutional support. Collectively, these themes demonstrate that GenAI fosters innovative, learner-centred teaching while also presenting ethical and professional challenges that require systematic guidance. The study concludes that sustainable AI integration in language education depends on balancing technological innovation with humanistic pedagogy, ethical awareness, and institutional capacity building. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal and mixed-method studies exploring student outcomes, teacher adaptation, and contextual variations in AI adoption.