
TOTAL VIEWS: 231
Artificial intelligence is a decisive force in modern society. This study takes 268 Chinese journal papers in the field of artificial intelligence empowering university English education, which were published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 2015 to 2025, as the data source. It conducts a visual analysis using CiteSpace. The results show that the number of research papers shows a “staged” increasing trend. From 2015 to 2017, it was the initial stage, with an average of 1 paper per year. From 2018 to 2023, it was a slow development stage, with an average of 17 papers per year. From 2024 to 2025, it entered a rapid growth stage, with an average of 79 papers per year. In terms of the research subjects, the author collaboration network is sparse, and the types of institutions are diverse, but cross-institutional cooperation is weak. The research hotspots focus on the two core words “college English” and “artificial intelligence”, and the cluster analysis shows Q = 0.5091 and S = 0.0978, with a significant structure and high reliability. The research has evolved from “teaching mode innovation” to “generative artificial intelligence”.
CiteSpace; artificial intelligence; college English; educational research
Ai, X. H., Cheng, S. H., & Huang, Y. X. (2024). Construction and application of college English knowledge graph from the perspec-tive of language intelligence. Educational Academic Monthly, (10), 84-90.
https://doi.org/10.16477/j.cnki.issn1674-2311.2024.10.008
An, B. J., & Zhao, H. J. (2021). Research on the satisfaction of hybrid college English teaching based on artificial intelligence rain classroom. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1992(2).
https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1992/2/022078
Chen, Y., Chen, C. M., Liu, Z. Y., Hu, Z. G., & Wang, X. W. (2015). The methodological function of CiteSpace knowledge mapping. Studies in Science of Science, 33(2), 242-253.
https://doi.org/10.16192/j.cnki.1003-2053.2015.02.009
Guo, S. S., Halim, H. B. A., & Saad, M. R. B. M. (2025). Leveraging AI-enabled mobile learning platforms to enhance the effectiveness of English teaching in universities. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 15873. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-025-00801-0
He, C. Y., Wang, Y., & Guo, J. (2025). Construction and practice of AI-empowered smart teaching models—A study on college English curriculum reform based on digital-intelligent teaching platforms. Technology-Enhanced Foreign Language Education, (2), 62-64+105.
https://doi.org/10.20139/j.issn.1001-5795.20250209
Li, F. Y., Yang, G., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Visual analysis and prospects of informatized college English teaching research in China. Foreign Language World, (6), 52-57.
https://doi.org/10.26971/j.cnki.flw.1004-5112.2024.06.007
Liao, H. J., & Li, L. W. (2025). Framework construction and empirical testing of a college English intercultural oral English MOOC from the perspective of cognitive agency development. Technology-Enhanced Foreign Language Education, (6), 34-39+105.
https://doi.org/10.20139/j.issn.1001-5795.20250605
Ministry of Education. (2018, April 3). Notice of the Ministry of Education on issuing the “Action plan for artificial intelligence innovation in higher education institutions” [EB/OL].
http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A16/s7062/201804/t20180410_332722.html
Ministry of Education. (2025, April 2). Actively promote artificial intelligence to empower the construction of a strong education nation [EB/OL].
http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s5148/202504/t20250402_1185864.html
Pei, X. S. (2021). Progress and trends in research on integrating Chinese culture into foreign language teaching—A visual analysis based on CiteSpace. Shandong Foreign Language Teaching, 42(3), 63-75.
https://doi.org/10.16482/j.sdwy37-1026.2021-03-006
Qin, L. L., & Derakhshan, A. (2025). College English teachers’ agency in using generative artificial intelligence from the perspective of emotional experience: A Q-methodology study. Foreign Language Education Research Frontiers, 8(3), 72-84.
https://doi.org/10.20083/j.cnki.fleic.2025.0029
State Council. (2015, July 4). Guiding opinions of the State Council on actively promoting the “Internet+” action [EB/OL].
https://jnfgw.jining.gov.cn/attach/-1/1904111413147595685.pdf
Sun, P. J., Xu, J. Y., & Zhang, J. (2025). Value-added effects of generative AI feedback on college students’ English essay quality. Foreign Language Education Research Frontiers, 8(4), 24-36.
https://doi.org/10.20083/j.cnki.fleic.2025.0035
Wang, H. X. (2026). Exploring AI-empowered college English teaching based on the human-centered concept. Foreign Languages in China, 23(1), 60-68.
https://doi.org/10.13564/j.cnki.issn.1672-9382.2026.01.001
Wu, L. J. (2025). An empirical study on large language model-empowered English oral teaching. Modern Educational Technology, 35(10), 33-41.
Yu, S. S., & Zhang, H. (2022). Progress and trends in smart foreign language education research in China—A visual analysis based on CiteSpace. Journal of Tianjin University (Social Sciences), 24(6), 503-511.
A Visualization Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-empowered College English Education Research Based on CiteSpace
How to cite this paper: Shiyu Zhang. (2026). A Visualization Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-empowered College English Education Research Based on CiteSpace. The Educational Review, USA, 10(5), 305-314.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2026.05.008