Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Internet Technology and Educational Informatization (ITEI 2025)

Ethical Implications and Pedagogical Efficacy of AI-Driven Neural Machine Translation in ESL Instruction: A Hybrid Framework Approach

Authors
Hao Yin1, *, Yiran Chen1
1Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
*Corresponding author. Email: hao.yin24@estudiantes.uva.es
Corresponding Author
Hao Yin
Available Online 24 November 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_13How to use a DOI?
Keywords
AI Translation; English Education; Ethics; Neural Machine Translation; Machine Learning; ESL Teaching; Hybrid Framework
Abstract

This paper examines the dual-edged impact of AI translation tools in English language teaching, emphasizing the balance between convenience and potential over-dependence. We analyze the ethical implications and effectiveness of these tools, such as advanced versions of Google Translate, in ESL classrooms. A hybrid teaching framework is proposed, incorporating neural machine translation to optimize learning outcomes while addressing risks like reduced student autonomy and cheating concerns. Empirical evidence is drawn from a survey of 200 Chinese university students and controlled experiments comparing AI-assisted and traditional translation groups. Key findings reveal that AI significantly improves translation accuracy (mean 85% in experiments vs. 70% without AI) and is perceived positively for efficiency (mean score 3.3/5), yet it fosters dependence (3.06/5) and negatively affects independent learning (2.32/5). These results underscore the need for ethical guidelines in AI integration. The proposed framework combines AI support with teacher-led ethics discussions to mitigate drawbacks and enhance pedagogical value. Detailed analysis of survey data, experiment results, and corpus validation underscores the need for balanced AI use, with recommendations for future tool development.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

Volume Title
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Internet Technology and Educational Informatization (ITEI 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
24 November 2025
ISBN
978-2-38476-472-3
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_13How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Hao Yin
AU  - Yiran Chen
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/11/24
TI  - Ethical Implications and Pedagogical Efficacy of AI-Driven Neural Machine Translation in ESL Instruction: A Hybrid Framework Approach
BT  - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Internet Technology and Educational Informatization (ITEI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 127
EP  - 139
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_13
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-472-3_13
ID  - Yin2025
ER  -