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Translation and Foreign Language Learning

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ArticleMulti-perspective Studies of Foreign Languages Learning http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.08.028

Applying AI-assisted Translation in Project-based Cultural English Teaching: A Case Study of Bilingual WeChat Article Creation in Chinese Culture, English Bridge

Zhuying Duan*, Shuhan Yang, Xi Chen, Ye Zhang

School of Foreign Languages, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, Yunnan, China.

*Corresponding author: Zhuying Duan

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the following projects:
• The Innovation Program of International Chinese Education “Building an Online and Offline International Course Chinese Culture, English Bridge (Grant No. 21YH039CX2) provided by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, Ministry of Education;
• The Industry-Academia Collaboration and Education Reform Project “Rain Courseware for Chinese Culture, English Bridge (Grant No. 220505695115738) funded by the Ministry of Education;
• The Key Project of Undergraduate Education and Teaching Reform in Yunnan Province for 2023 “Construction and Practice of a Project-Based Learning Teaching Model for Advanced University English Courses” (Project No. JG2023302);
• The Education and Teaching Reform Research Project of Yunnan University for 2022 “Exploration and Practice of a Project-Based General English Course Teaching Model” (Project No. 2022Z02).
Published: September 26,2025

Abstract

This study investigates the implementation of AI-assisted translation within a project-based learning (PBL) framework applied in a university-level cultural English course — Chinese Culture, English Bridge. Through a comprehensive case study involving 51 students organized into 10 collaborative groups, the research examines the development of bilingual WeChat articles focusing on Yunnan-related cultural themes. Empirical evidence collected from student-generated translations, detailed reflective journals, and post-project surveys indicates that the use of AI tools significantly improved students' translation accuracy, efficiency, and overall engagement. Furthermore, it fostered the development of collaborative skills, intercultural communicative competence, and innovative problem-solving abilities. However, the study also identified notable challenges, including tendencies toward over-reliance on AI outputs and difficulties in conducting critical post-editing. These findings support the conclusion that AI-assisted PBL constitutes an effective pedagogical model for integrating practical translation tasks into cultural language learning, although its success depends on structured guidance to cultivate students' analytical skills and autonomous technological criticality.

Keywords

AI-assisted translation; Project-based learning; Cultural English teaching; Bilingual WeChat article; Intercultural communication

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How to cite this paper

Applying AI-assisted Translation in Project-based Cultural English Teaching: A Case Study of Bilingual WeChat Article Creation in Chinese Culture, English Bridge

How to cite this paper: Zhuying Duan, Shuhan Yang, Xi Chen, Ye Zhang. (2025). Applying AI-assisted Translation in Project-based Cultural English Teaching: A Case Study of Bilingual WeChat Article Creation in Chinese Culture, English Bridge. Translation and Foreign Language Learning1(1), 174-180.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.08.028