Integrating AI in Chinese Teaching and HSK Training: Empowering Teachers, Innovating Pedagogy, and Enhancing Learning through Continuation Theory

1. AI in Education: A New Frontier for Teachers

In today’s rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence, teachers are increasingly faced with the challenge and opportunity to integrate AI tools into lesson design, teaching delivery, and learning analytics.

However, AI is no longer an unreachable domain reserved for tech specialists — ordinary teachers, driven by curiosity and dedication, are embracing AI to inject innovative vitality into Chinese teaching and HSK training.

Testimony from Teachers: “At first, I thought AI was beyond me. But once I started experimenting with chatbots and AI quiz generators, I realized how much easier it made my lesson planning. It felt like I gained a co-teacher, and I could focus on making lessons more interactive!”

2. Case Studies: How Teachers Use AI Agents to Innovate Chinese Teaching

Case 1: Self-Created AI Chatbot for Daily Speaking Practice

A secondary school teacher designed a custom GPT-powered chatbot for Mandarin conversation practice, focusing on GCSE and HSK topics.

• Learners practiced dialogues (e.g., “Ordering food”, “Talking about hobbies”), receiving instant corrections on tones and word order.

• The chatbot was tailored to adapt to the difficulty based on the learner level.

• Result: Students practiced more at home, felt less anxious about speaking, and improved fluency.

Case 2: AI-Generated HSK Vocabulary Games

Using Wordwall AI and Quizlet AI, a teacher created interactive vocabulary games aligned with HSK word lists.

• Students engaged in competitive, game-like vocabulary challenges.

• AI helped generate dozens of practice questions in seconds, saving teachers hours.

• Result: Students increased vocabulary retention, and the teacher reduced prep time dramatically.

Case 3: AI Grading Assistant for Writing Tasks

Teachers used AI scoring agents (e.g., GPT-based evaluators) to provide first-round feedback on student writing tasks.

• AI highlighted grammar issues, vocabulary errors, and suggested sentence improvements.

• Teachers reviewed AI feedback and added personalized, empathetic comments.

• Result: Students received faster, more comprehensive feedback, and teachers could focus on motivation and higher-order corrections.

3. AI Is for Everyone: Empowering Ordinary Teachers

The myth that AI is “out of reach” is being debunked by teachers who embrace AI as a creative partner.

• With basic AI tools (ChatGPT, Quillionz, Eduaide, Speechling), teachers without coding skills can:

• Generate custom exercises.

• Create speaking prompts.

• Provide instant feedback and corrections.

• Message to teachers: “As long as you have enthusiasm and curiosity, you can master AI as a tool to enhance teaching. AI becomes your assistant — not your replacement.”

4. Continuation Theory and Its Application in Second Language Instruction

What is Continuation Theory?

Continuation Theory (Wang, 2019) emphasizes the psychological and cognitive benefit of continuing a partial language input (e.g., unfinished story, dialogue) into a complete output (speaking or writing).

• Based on schema activation and mental rehearsal, continuation tasks encourage learners to integrate and extend language input.

• Result: Learners engage deeper with content, internalize language structures, and produce output that is richer and more meaningful.

5. Continuation Tasks in Chinese Teaching: Xu-Based (续) Tasks

Definition of Xu (续)-Based Tasks:

• Partial texts (stories, dialogues, essays) are provided, and students are asked to continue or complete them, using target grammar and vocabulary.

• Combines reading/listening input with creative output.

• Highly adaptable to Chinese story-telling, culture topics, and HSK themes.

6. Empirical Evidence: Two Key Studies

Study 1: Reading-to-Writing Integrated Continuation Tasks

• Participants: Intermediate L2 Chinese learners.

• Task: Read half of a story, write the continuation.

• Results:

• Improved vocabulary retention and grammar use.

• Higher coherence and cohesion in writing compared to free composition.

• Increased learner motivation, as continuation felt more manageable than starting from scratch.

Study 2: Continuation Speaking Tasks

• Participants: Beginner and intermediate learners.

• Task: Listen to an unfinished dialogue, continue orally.

• Results:

• Significant improvement in fluency and syntactic complexity.

• Learners recycled input structures naturally in output.

• Reduced speaking anxiety compared to open-ended speaking prompts.

7. How Can AI Empower Continuation Tasks?

A. AI-Supported Xu Tasks

• ChatGPT and similar AI agents can generate partial texts, dialogues, and scenarios, which students can complete.

• AI can provide model continuations, feedback, and scaffolded prompts.

• AI can simulate conversation partners, turning xu tasks into interactive speaking practice.

B. AI Grading and Analytics for Xu Tasks

• AI can analyze learners’ continuations, offering instant feedback on grammar, coherence, vocabulary, and suggestions for richer expressions.

8. Open Questions for Teachers: Reflective Discussion

• How can AI-assisted continuation tasks reduce learner anxiety?

• What types of xu-based tasks fit best for GCSE, A-level, or HSK learners?

• How can teachers balance AI scaffolding with student creativity?

• What are the risks of over-relying on AI in designing continuation tasks?

• How can continuation tasks promote intercultural learning (e.g., cultural stories, festivals)?

9. Looking Forward: The Synergy of AI + Continuation Theory in Chinese Education

• AI Agents + Continuation Tasks = A model that combines personalized, adaptive learning with cognitively and emotionally engaging pedagogy.

• Teachers remain central, using AI to amplify creativity and focus on emotional connection and deep learning.

• Together, AI and teachers create a dynamic, responsive learning ecosystem that meets learners’ linguistic and emotional needs.

Conclusion and Call to Action

In a world where AI is transforming education, it is not about AI replacing teachers but about teachers becoming AI-empowered innovators. With tools like AI agents and research-based methods like Continuation Theory, teachers can create motivating, personalized, and effective Chinese learning experiences. The future belongs to educators who are curious, reflective, and willing to evolve — and AI is their partner, not their competitor.

Note: Parts of this blog were written with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. I edited and reviewed the final content to reflect my personal voice and perspective.