Teaching British Civilisation to EFL Learners in the AI Era

Abstract

The emergence of artificial intelligence is reshaping the teaching of British Civilisation to EFL learners, offering both new opportunities and significant challenges. AI-powered tools enable access to authentic multimodal materials-historical documents, cultural artefacts, political data, and media representations—while providing personalised scaffolding that supports comprehension and engagement. Intelligent tutoring systems, chatbots, and automated summaries can help students navigate complex socio-historical content and develop intercultural awareness. However, the increasing reliance on AI raises pedagogical concerns, including the risks of factual inaccuracies, cultural oversimplification, algorithmic bias, and diminished critical inquiry. Educators must balance AI’s efficiency with the humanities-driven goals of interpretation, contextual analysis, and reflective thinking. Effective teaching of British Civilisation in the AI era requires cultivating students’ AI literacy, fostering critical engagement with sources, and preserving the human dimension of cultural learning. This integrated approach ensures that technology enhances rather than replaces the deep cultural understanding essential to civilisation studies.