Instructional Leadership in the Age of AI: Guiding Effective Use of AI Tools in University English Speaking Practice
https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.asci4270
Keywords:
Instructional Leadership, Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education, English Speaking Practice, Faculty Engagement, Ethical Governance
Viewed = 0 time(s)
Viewed = 0 time(s)
Abstract
The fast-evolving artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the higher sectors of education particularly the messaging segments of English speaking. The opportunities brought by AI tools include chatbots, speech recognition, and 24/7 virtual tutoring that are all available at more individual utilized levels with direct feedback, though need to be supported by a strong leadership in instruction to be effective. The systematic review (SLR) of literature applied in this paper as the PRISMA technique to cover the role of leadership to enhance the contribution to adoption and integration of AI tools in the English-speaking practice at the university level. The review identified three main themes that should be factored in to inform how AI should be used in the academic world. The outcomes indicate that a successful implementation factor occurs because of the well-considered strategy in a leadership domain, teacher training and materials, and organizational integrity and inclusion policies. The results indicate that AI implementation is a non-technological problem but an initiative of the executives who have to implement such strategies as tactical thinking, groupwork, and the ethical duty to improve the performance of language learning even further.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
An, Y., Yu, J. H., & James, S. (2025). Investigating the higher education institutions’ guidelines and policies regarding the use of generative AI in teaching, learning, research, and administration. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00507-3
Barnes, E., & Hutson, J. (2024). Navigating the ethical terrain of AI in higher education: Strategies for mitigating bias and promoting fairness. In Forum for Education Studies (Vol. 2, No. 2).
Berkovich, I. (2025). School leaders’ adoption of generative artificial intelligence: Stages, domains, and implications. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1643023. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1643023
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds.), APA handbook of research methods in psychology: Vol. 2. Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57–71). American Psychological Association.
Chan, C. K. Y. (2023). A comprehensive AI policy education framework for university teaching and learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00408-3
Chen, Y. (2024). A study of the effects of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) on improving the spoken English of university students: Voices of students from a Chinese university. SHS Web of Conferences, 199, 01003. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202419901003
Cornell Chronicle. (2025, July 15). AI tool helps students build confidence speaking foreign languages. Cornell University.
Dabis, A. (2024). AI and ethics: Investigating the first policy responses of universities to generative artificial intelligence. Palgrave Communications, 10, 35. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03526-z
Dai, L., & Wu, F. (2025). An AI-powered conversational system for college students learning English as a second language. Education and Information Technologies. Advance online publication.
Ding, A. C. E. (2024). Enhancing teacher AI literacy and integration through professional development programs. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100058
Espinoza Vidaurre, S. M., Velásquez Rodríguez, N. C., Gambetta Quelopana, R. L., Martinez Valdivia, A. N., Leo Rossi, E. A., & Nolasco-Mamani, M. A. (2024). Perceptions of artificial intelligence and its impact on academic integrity among university students in Peru and Chile: An approach to sustainable education. Sustainability, 16(20), 9005. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209005
Ghamrawi, N. (2022). A typology for digital leadership in higher education. Education Sciences, 12(2), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12020136
Glover, A. D. (2023). IT leadership on classroom technology integration within higher education: Barriers and emerging themes. Issues in Information Systems, 24(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.48009/1_iis_2023_1-15
Gumus, S., Bellibas, M. S., Esen, M., & Gumus, E. (2020). A systematic review of studies on leadership models in educational research from 1980 to 2014. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 48(1), 25–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143218813199
Kemelbekova, Z., Degtyareva, X., Yessenaman, S., Ismailova, D., & Seidaliyeva, G. (2024). AI in teaching English as a foreign language: Effectiveness and prospects in Kazakh higher education. XLinguae, 17(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.18355/xl.2024.17.01.05
Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering.
Dong, P., & Tabajen, R. C. (2024). Assessing the impact of university teachers’ digital leadership on enhancing student learning effectiveness. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 16(3), 299-304.
Li, X. (2022, January). The effectiveness of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) applications on the spoken English assessments in China’s Universities. In 2021 International Conference on Social Development and Media Communication (SDMC 2021) (pp. 751-756). Atlantis Press.
Luckin, R., Holmes, W., Griffiths, M., & Forcier, L. B. (2016). Intelligence unleashed: An argument for AI in education. Pearson Education.
Mah, D. K., & Groß, N. (2024). Artificial intelligence in higher education: exploring faculty use, self-efficacy, distinct profiles, and professional development needs. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 58.
Metwalli, M. M. A. S. (2025). Artificial intelligence in educational leadership: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00517-1
Mingyan, M., Noordin, N., & Razali, A. B. (2025). Improving EFL speaking performance among undergraduate students with an AI-powered mobile app in after-class assignments: An empirical investigation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 370. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04688-0
Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for integrating technology in teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.
Obied, A. (2025). Digital leadership in the academic environment: A literature review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 100542.
Olabiyi, O. J., Vuuren, C. J. v., Du Plessis, M., Xue, Y., & Zhu, C. (2025). Digital academic leadership in higher education institutions: A bibliometric review based on CiteSpace. Education Sciences, 15(7), 846. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070846
Peña-Acuña, B. (2024). Learning English as a second language with artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1490067. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1490067
Onan, G. (2024). Digital Transformation and Digital Leadership in Higher Education Institutions: Insights from the Literature. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilgilerde Yeni Yaklaşımlar Dergisi, 8(2), 198-213.
Dong, P., & Tabajen, R. C. (2024). Assessing the impact of university teachers’ digital leadership on enhancing student learning effectiveness. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 16(3), 299-304.
Rogers, E. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Shal, T., Ghamrawi, N., Abu-Tineh, A., Al-Shaboul, Y. M., & Sellami, A. (2024). Teacher leadership and virtual communities: Unpacking teacher agency and distributed leadership. Education and Information Technologies, 29(12), 15025-15042.
Slimi, Z., & Carballido, B. V. (2023). Navigating the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in higher education: An analysis of seven global AI ethics policies. TEM Journal, 12(2), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM122-02
Sposato, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in educational leadership: A comprehensive taxonomy and future directions. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00517-1
Sutedjo, A., Liu, S., & Chowdhury, M. (2025). Generative AI in higher education: A cross-institutional study on faculty preparation and resources. Studies in Technology Enhanced Learning, 4(1), 1–17.
Wei, L. (2023). Artificial intelligence in language instruction: Impact on English learning achievement, L2 motivation, and self-regulated learning. Frontiers in Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1261955
Yang, F. (2024). AI in language education: Enhancing learners’ speaking awareness through AI-supported training. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 14(6), 512–517. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2024.14.6.2108
Zou, B., Guan, X., Shao, Y., & Chen, P. (2023). Supporting speaking practice by social network-based interaction in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted language learning. Sustainability, 15(4), 2872. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042872
Zou, B., Liviero, S., Ma, Q., Zhang, W., Du, Y., & Xing, P. (2024). Exploring EFL learners’ perceived promise and limitations of using an artificial intelligence speech evaluation system for speaking practice. System, 119, 103497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103497
Barnes, E., & Hutson, J. (2024). Navigating the ethical terrain of AI in higher education: Strategies for mitigating bias and promoting fairness. In Forum for Education Studies (Vol. 2, No. 2).
Berkovich, I. (2025). School leaders’ adoption of generative artificial intelligence: Stages, domains, and implications. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1643023. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1643023
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds.), APA handbook of research methods in psychology: Vol. 2. Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57–71). American Psychological Association.
Chan, C. K. Y. (2023). A comprehensive AI policy education framework for university teaching and learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00408-3
Chen, Y. (2024). A study of the effects of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) on improving the spoken English of university students: Voices of students from a Chinese university. SHS Web of Conferences, 199, 01003. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202419901003
Cornell Chronicle. (2025, July 15). AI tool helps students build confidence speaking foreign languages. Cornell University.
Dabis, A. (2024). AI and ethics: Investigating the first policy responses of universities to generative artificial intelligence. Palgrave Communications, 10, 35. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03526-z
Dai, L., & Wu, F. (2025). An AI-powered conversational system for college students learning English as a second language. Education and Information Technologies. Advance online publication.
Ding, A. C. E. (2024). Enhancing teacher AI literacy and integration through professional development programs. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100058
Espinoza Vidaurre, S. M., Velásquez Rodríguez, N. C., Gambetta Quelopana, R. L., Martinez Valdivia, A. N., Leo Rossi, E. A., & Nolasco-Mamani, M. A. (2024). Perceptions of artificial intelligence and its impact on academic integrity among university students in Peru and Chile: An approach to sustainable education. Sustainability, 16(20), 9005. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209005
Ghamrawi, N. (2022). A typology for digital leadership in higher education. Education Sciences, 12(2), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12020136
Glover, A. D. (2023). IT leadership on classroom technology integration within higher education: Barriers and emerging themes. Issues in Information Systems, 24(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.48009/1_iis_2023_1-15
Gumus, S., Bellibas, M. S., Esen, M., & Gumus, E. (2020). A systematic review of studies on leadership models in educational research from 1980 to 2014. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 48(1), 25–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143218813199
Kemelbekova, Z., Degtyareva, X., Yessenaman, S., Ismailova, D., & Seidaliyeva, G. (2024). AI in teaching English as a foreign language: Effectiveness and prospects in Kazakh higher education. XLinguae, 17(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.18355/xl.2024.17.01.05
Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering.
Dong, P., & Tabajen, R. C. (2024). Assessing the impact of university teachers’ digital leadership on enhancing student learning effectiveness. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 16(3), 299-304.
Li, X. (2022, January). The effectiveness of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) applications on the spoken English assessments in China’s Universities. In 2021 International Conference on Social Development and Media Communication (SDMC 2021) (pp. 751-756). Atlantis Press.
Luckin, R., Holmes, W., Griffiths, M., & Forcier, L. B. (2016). Intelligence unleashed: An argument for AI in education. Pearson Education.
Mah, D. K., & Groß, N. (2024). Artificial intelligence in higher education: exploring faculty use, self-efficacy, distinct profiles, and professional development needs. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 58.
Metwalli, M. M. A. S. (2025). Artificial intelligence in educational leadership: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00517-1
Mingyan, M., Noordin, N., & Razali, A. B. (2025). Improving EFL speaking performance among undergraduate students with an AI-powered mobile app in after-class assignments: An empirical investigation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 370. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04688-0
Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for integrating technology in teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.
Obied, A. (2025). Digital leadership in the academic environment: A literature review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 100542.
Olabiyi, O. J., Vuuren, C. J. v., Du Plessis, M., Xue, Y., & Zhu, C. (2025). Digital academic leadership in higher education institutions: A bibliometric review based on CiteSpace. Education Sciences, 15(7), 846. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070846
Peña-Acuña, B. (2024). Learning English as a second language with artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1490067. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1490067
Onan, G. (2024). Digital Transformation and Digital Leadership in Higher Education Institutions: Insights from the Literature. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilgilerde Yeni Yaklaşımlar Dergisi, 8(2), 198-213.
Dong, P., & Tabajen, R. C. (2024). Assessing the impact of university teachers’ digital leadership on enhancing student learning effectiveness. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 16(3), 299-304.
Rogers, E. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Shal, T., Ghamrawi, N., Abu-Tineh, A., Al-Shaboul, Y. M., & Sellami, A. (2024). Teacher leadership and virtual communities: Unpacking teacher agency and distributed leadership. Education and Information Technologies, 29(12), 15025-15042.
Slimi, Z., & Carballido, B. V. (2023). Navigating the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in higher education: An analysis of seven global AI ethics policies. TEM Journal, 12(2), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM122-02
Sposato, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in educational leadership: A comprehensive taxonomy and future directions. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00517-1
Sutedjo, A., Liu, S., & Chowdhury, M. (2025). Generative AI in higher education: A cross-institutional study on faculty preparation and resources. Studies in Technology Enhanced Learning, 4(1), 1–17.
Wei, L. (2023). Artificial intelligence in language instruction: Impact on English learning achievement, L2 motivation, and self-regulated learning. Frontiers in Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1261955
Yang, F. (2024). AI in language education: Enhancing learners’ speaking awareness through AI-supported training. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 14(6), 512–517. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2024.14.6.2108
Zou, B., Guan, X., Shao, Y., & Chen, P. (2023). Supporting speaking practice by social network-based interaction in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted language learning. Sustainability, 15(4), 2872. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042872
Zou, B., Liviero, S., Ma, Q., Zhang, W., Du, Y., & Xing, P. (2024). Exploring EFL learners’ perceived promise and limitations of using an artificial intelligence speech evaluation system for speaking practice. System, 119, 103497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103497
Published
2025-12-31
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
He, P., Hanim A Hamid, A., & Mohd Nor, M. Y. (2025). Instructional Leadership in the Age of AI: Guiding Effective Use of AI Tools in University English Speaking Practice. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education, 7(3), 564-580. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.asci4270
Copyright (c) 2025 Ping He, Aida Hanim A Hamid, Mohamed Yusoff Mohd Nor (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
