1. 引言
在全球化进程加速和信息技术飞速发展的当下,英语作为国际交流的重要语言,其教学质量和效果备受关注。大学英语教学是培养学生综合能力的关键环节,它不仅有助于学生积累词汇、提升语法运用能力,还能拓宽学生的国际视野,增强他们的跨文化交际意识。生成式人工智能(generative artificial intelligence, GAI)作为人工智能领域的新兴技术,具有强大的语言生成和内容创作能力。将生成式人工智能应用于大学英语教学,有望打破传统教学的局限,为教学带来新的活力和机遇。因此,深入研究生成式人工智能在大学英语教学中的应用具有重要的理论和实践意义,不仅可以丰富相关教学理论,还能为实际教学提供切实可行的指导,助力提升大学英语教学的质量和学生的英语综合素养。
2. 理论基础
2.1. 建构主义理论
建构主义理论的起源可以追溯到皮亚杰(Jean Piaget)的认知发展理论。皮亚杰认为儿童是在与周围环境相互作用的过程中,逐步建构起关于外部世界的知识,从而使自身认知结构得到发展。后来,维果茨基(Lev Vygotsky)等学者进一步丰富和发展了建构主义理论,强调社会文化因素在个体认知发展中的重要作用,使建构主义理论不断完善并在教育等领域得到广泛应用。生成式人工智能通过对大规模文本数据的学习,自动提取数据中的特征和模式,构建起关于语言、语义和世界知识的表示。这一过程可以看作是一种对知识的自动构建,类似于建构主义中学习者主动构建知识的过程。
2.2. 输入假说与输出假说
输入假说与输出假说都是第二语言习得领域中的重要理论,由语言学家斯蒂芬·克拉申(Stephen Krashen)和梅里尔·斯温(Merrill Swain)分别提出。输入假说由斯蒂芬·克拉申在20世纪80年代提出,是其第二语言习得理论的核心部分。该假说认为,语言习得是通过大量的可理解性输入实现的。学习者接触到的语言输入应该略高于他们现有的语言水平,即“i + 1”水平,其中“i”代表学习者当前的语言水平,“1”表示略高于现有水平的难度。输出假说由梅里尔·斯温在20世纪80年代提出。该假说认为,语言输出在第二语言习得中具有重要作用,仅仅依靠语言输入是不够的,学习者需要通过语言输出活动来提高语言能力。生成式人工智能可依据输入假说,为语言学习者提供大量符合“i + 1”水平的可理解性输入。同时也为学习者搭建语言输出的平台,如智能写作助手可以让学习者进行写作练习,口语对话系统能让学习者进行口语表达。
2.3. 认知负荷理论
认知负荷理论(Cognitive Load Theory, CLT)由澳大利亚教育心理学家约翰·斯韦勒(John Sweller)在20世纪80年代提出,认为学习过程中,总的认知负荷是内在、外在和关联认知负荷的总和。当总认知负荷超过学习者的认知能力时,学习效果就会受到影响。生成式人工智能能够以多种形式呈现信息,如根据输入文本生成简洁明了的图表、图像或通俗易懂的解释性文字等,优化信息的呈现方式,帮助用户更轻松地理解和处理信息,从而降低因信息呈现不佳而产生的外在认知负荷。
2.4. 多模态学习理论
多模态学习理论是在认知科学、神经科学以及信息技术等多学科交叉发展的背景下产生的。随着对人类认知过程研究的深入,人们发现人类在学习和理解信息时,并非单一地依赖某一种感官通道,而是综合运用多种感官,如视觉、听觉、触觉等。信息技术的发展,也为多模态信息的获取、处理和融合提供了技术支持。多模态中的“模态”指的是信息的呈现形式或感知方式,常见的模态包括视觉、听觉、触觉、嗅觉和味觉等。多模态学习就是将来自不同模态的信息进行整合和分析,以更全面、准确地理解和处理信息。生成式人工智能技术为多模态学习提供了强大的生成能力。通过这些模型,可以根据多模态数据生成新的内容,实现跨模态的转换和生成。
3. 研究综述
生成式人工智能在大学英语口语教学、翻译教学和写作教学中发挥了重要作用,研究成果较为丰富,尤其是口语和写作方面的成果最为丰富。
人工智能应用于口语教学的成果较为丰富。吴坚豪等(2024)基于互动假说,考察了生成式人工智能技术对100名中国英语学习者的口语复杂性、准确性和流利性的影响。结果表明,人工智能创造的口语课堂引导学习者在口语输出中使用了更复杂的高级词汇[1]。张园园(2025)基于人工智能对大学英语教育的变革性影响,开展了人工智能导入大学英语口语教学的实证研究,结果发现,人工智能技术的导入能够提高学生的英语口语练习的友好度,同时对学生的口语表达准确度和流利度具有显著的积极作用,为英语口语教学的高质量发展提供了有力支持[2]。
在写作方面,陈茉、吕明臣(2024)从活动理论的视角分析了ChatGPT参与的大学英语写作教学,探讨了在写作教学过程的每个阶段教师如何利用ChatGPT准备和组织教学活动[3]。王海啸(2024)以“通用学术英语写作”课程为例,从课程大纲、教学计划、教学内容、教学资源、教学模式、教学方法、教学工具、教学评价等八个方面,探讨生成式人工智能赋能大学英语教学改革的实施路径[4]。
生成式人工智能赋能大学英语阅读教学的研究较少,向雅茹、方超(2024)从大学英语阅读教学的现状出发,探讨多模态英语阅读教学模式的特点,分析人工智能背景下多模态理论在大学英语阅读课堂上的应用,并阐述其在教学中的价值体现[5]。
基于此,本研究以DeepSeek为平台,以《新视野大学英语读写教程思政智慧版》第一册第一单元的读写任务为文本,展示教学案例分享,探讨DeepSeek赋能大学英语读写教学,分析探讨其在实际教学中潜在的应用价值。
4. 应用策略
本研究以《新视野大学英语读写教程思政智慧版》第一册第一单元Section A中的Text A课文“Toward a brighter future for all”为例,运用DeepSeek协同完成三个阶段的教学活动,这三个阶段包括:课前准备阶段、课中精讲阶段和课后语言实践阶段。
4.1. 课前准备阶段
首先就是文本的中心思想。课前,教师将第一单元的文本导入到DeepSeek,运行相关指令,得到了文本的主要关键词,教师把这些关键词告知学生,学生就可以根据这些关键词快速理解文本的意思和结构(如表1所示)。
Table 1. Text keywords
表1. 文本关键词
Prompt: Based on the material, please scan it first, then use 3~5 key words to sum up the main idea of the material. DeepSeek’s Answer: The main idea of the material can be summarized with the following key words: 1. Welcome-The university president welcomes new students and emphasizes the importance of their journey. 2. Opportunities-The university offers a wealth of resources, courses, and experiences for students to explore. 3. Challenges-Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, try new fields, and embrace both pleasant and uncomfortable experiences. 4. Responsibility-With the opportunities for self-enrichment come responsibilities to contribute to society and future generations. 5. Growth-The university experience is framed as a time for personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of passions. |
传统的教学方法是逐个寻找文本关键词,再组成句子,耗费时间,影响阅读速度和质量,而在DeepSeek帮助下,学生通过捕捉关键词能够迅速跳过无关紧要的内容,直接定位到关键信息所在之处,从而大大加快阅读速度,节省阅读时间,同时能够快速把握文本的主旨大意,建立起对整个文本的宏观认知,也能够锻炼学生敏锐的观察力和信息捕捉能力,使其在面对各种文本时都能迅速准确地提取出关键信息,这是一种非常重要的阅读技能,对于提高学习和工作效率都具有重要意义。
其次是新课导入设计。导入是教学中不可或缺的重要环节,它对提高教学效果、促进学生的学习和发展具有重要作用。好的导入能快速吸引学生的注意力,唤起学生的学习热情,也能引起学生的思考,从而缓解紧张情绪,有利于师生互动。为此,为了做好本单元的导入环节,笔者将课文导入到DeepSeek,输入指令,得出了表2中DeepSeek给出的导入设计。
Table 2. The import design generated by DeepSeek based on the teaching content (Abbreviated)
表2. DeepSeek基于教学内容生成的导入设计(有删减)
Prompt: This is an English text. Please read it carefully, understand its connotations, and then design a lead-in activity. DeepSeek Reply: Lead-in Activity Objective: To engage students in thinking about their past experiences, current goals, and future aspirations, connecting these reflections to the themes of the text. Duration: 5~10 minutes Lead-In Questions: 1. Past Reflection: - “Think about your high school years or any previous educational experiences. What is one lesson or skill you learned that you believe will help you succeed in college?” - (Optional follow-up: Share with a partner or write it down.) 2. Present Reflection: - “As you start this new chapter, what are you most excited about? What are you most nervous or unsure about?” - (Optional follow-up: Write down one goal you have for your first semester.) 3. Future Reflection: - “Imagine yourself four years from now. What do you hope to have achieved or discovered by then? How do you think this university will help you get there?” - (Optional follow-up: Share one word that represents your hope for the future.) |
DeepSeek从过去、现在和将来三个时间维度设计了导入活动,形成了强烈的时间对比,只有总结过去经验,才能正视现在,也才能更好地把握将来,同时,DeepSeek还为每个问题设计了备选项,让教师有了更多的选择。
再次是教学资源的挖掘与整合。相比较传统方法,生成式人工智能在大学英语教学资料方面具有多维度的促进作用,能够极大地丰富教学资源、提升资料质量与个性化程度等,如可以快速生成各种题材和风格的英语文章、故事、对话等,为阅读和写作教学提供丰富素材(如表3)。
Table 3. Relevant topics generated by DeepSeek based on the teaching content (Abbreviated)
表3. DeepSeek基于教学内容生成的相关话题(有删减)
Prompt: Based on the material, I would like you to find other similar topic materials, and to offer us some debate topics. DeepSeek Reply: Similar Topic Materials: The text “Toward a Brighter Future for All” focuses on themes such as self-discovery, the importance of education, embracing new opportunities, and balancing personal growth with societal responsibilities. Here are some similar topic materials that align with these themes: 1. “The College Experience: A Journey of Growth” 2. “The Power of Education: Shaping the Future” 3. “Finding Your Passion: The Key to a Fulfilling Life” 4. “The Balance Between Freedom and Responsibility” 5. “The Role of Failure in Success” … Debate Topics: Here are some debate topics inspired by the text and its themes. These topics can encourage critical thinking and lively discussion among students: 1. “Is it more important to focus on your passions or to explore new interests in college?” 2. “Should college students prioritize academic success over personal growth and social experiences?” 3. “Is the pressure to succeed in college more motivating or harmful to students?” 4. “Do parents and teachers play too large a role in shaping students’ futures, or is their guidance essential?” 5. “Is it better to have a clear career path in mind when starting college, or to remain open to new possibilities?” 6. “Should universities focus more on preparing students for the workforce or on fostering well-rounded individuals?” 7. “Is the traditional four-year college experience still the best path to success in today’s world?” … |
4.2. 课中精讲阶段
生成式人工智能在大学英语课堂精讲环节具有多方面的重要作用,能从优化内容呈现、提升语言分析深度、满足学生个性化需求等角度,助力教师提高课堂精讲的质量和效果。
在词汇教学方面,DeepSeek具有非常大的赋能作用。比如课文中第五自然段第一句,“You may feel overwhelmed by the wealth of courses available to you”,如果要挖掘句中的wealth of短语意思,传统方法是查阅汉英词典,但现实中的纸质词典无论有多大,其所能够提供的解释性内容还是有限的,而且纸质词典使用起来有诸多不便。而利用DeepSeek快速找到其用法和相关的近义词(如表4)。
在学习课文文本内容的过程中,学生可能会遇到长难句分析的难题。传统的单词软件可以解决生词表语意和用法的问题,但是很难解决语法和句子结构分析等难题。此时可以借助DeepSeek,输入清晰而准确的提示语指令,分析不懂的长难句、语意关系或语用意义。我们仍以本单元第三段中的一个句子为例,得到如表5的分析结果。
Table 4. Vocabulary questions answered by DeepSeek (Abbreviated)
表4. DeepSeek问答词汇问题(有删减)
Prompt: Please explain the meaning of “wealth of courses”. Meanwhile, list the adjectives that are similar in meaning to “wealth of”. DeepSeek’s Answer: The phrase “wealth of courses” refers to the abundance or large variety of courses available to students at a university. Adjectives Similar in Meaning to “Wealth of”: Here are some similar adjectives: 1. Abundance of - Example: “There is an abundance of opportunities at this university.” 2. Plenty of - Example: “Students have plenty of options to choose from.” 3. Myriad of - Example: “The university offers a myriad of courses in various disciplines.” 4. Plethora of - Example: “There is a plethora of resources available for students.” 5. Profusion of - Example: “The profusion of extracurricular activities makes campus life exciting.” 6. Multitude of - Example: “A multitude of courses are available to suit every interest.” … |
Table 5. Analysis of long and difficult sentences based on DeepSeek (Abbreviated)
表5. 基于DeepSeek的长难句分析(有删减)
Prompt: Please analyze the structure of the following sentence and also analyze its semantic relationships. 例句:You may have cried tears of joy to be finally finished with high school, and your parents may have cried tears of joy to be finally finished with doing your laundry! DeepSeek’s Analysis: Sentence Type: This is a compound sentence, as it consists of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction “and.” 1. Phrases and Components: - Subject: - First clause: “You” - Second clause: “your parents” - Verb Phrase: - First clause: “may have cried” - Second clause: “may have cried” - Object: - First clause: “tears of joy” - Second clause: “tears of joy” - Infinitive Phrase (Purpose/Reason): - First clause: “to be finally finished with high school” - Second clause: “to be finally finished with doing your laundry” 2. Conjunction: - The word “and” connects the two independent clauses, showing a parallel relationship between the two ideas. Semantic Relationships: - Parallelism: The sentence uses parallel structure to compare the student’s and parents’ experiences. - Contrast: The contexts of high school and laundry create a humorous contrast. - Cause and Effect: The infinitive phrases explain the reasons for the tears of joy. - Tone: The sentence is lighthearted and humorous, using exaggeration to make a relatable point. |
4.3. 课后语言实践阶段
生成式人工智能在大学英语课后语言实践阶段有着独特的流程与优势,尤其是结构写作模块更是能发挥其作用,笔者仍以第一单元课后写作为例,借助DeepSeek,生成课后写作训练材料(如表6)。
Table 6. Topic sentences generated by DeepSeek (Abbreviated)
表6. DeepSeek生成的主题句(有删减)
Prompt:How to succeed in college. Based on the above English composition topic, write an opening sentence, a topic sentence for the second part, and a concluding sentence for the last part. DeepSeek’s topic sentence: Opening Sentence: “College is a transformative journey that offers countless opportunities for growth, but success requires a combination of dedication, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning and life.” Topic Sentence for the Second Part: “To excel academically, students must develop strong study habits, seek out resources like tutoring and study groups, and maintain open communication with their professors.” Concluding Sentence for the Last Part: “By embracing challenges, staying curious, and building a supportive network, students can not only succeed in college but also prepare themselves for a lifetime of achievement and fulfillment.” |
在使用DeepSeek进行大学英语课后语言技能训练的过程中,其生成的主题句与训练主题高度契合。学生在训练时,只需根据DeepSeek给出的主题句,便能迅速明确思路,有效避免偏题。例如,关于“How to succeed in college”主题的训练中,DeepSeek生成的主题句精准涵盖了多个关键方面,学生们依据此主题句开展创作,方向清晰且明确。从学生反馈来看,大部分学生表示这种方式极大地提升了训练效果,真正发挥了大学英语课后语言技能训练应有的作用,快速提升了语言应用能力。
5. 结语
综上所述,生成式人工智能在大学英语教学的课前准备、课中精讲和课后语言实践等各个阶段都展现出了独特的优势和巨大的应用潜力。随着生成式人工智能技术的不断发展和完善,以及教育工作者对其应用研究的持续深入,相信它将在大学英语教学中发挥更加重要的作用。期待通过不断的实践和探索,能够进一步优化生成式人工智能在大学英语教学中的应用策略,为学生创造更加高效、个性化的学习环境,推动大学英语教学朝着更高质量的方向发展,培养出更多具有扎实英语基础和综合素养的人才,以适应时代发展的需求。