Journal of Research on English and Language Learning (J-REaLL)
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Research on English and Language Learning (J-REaLL)

AI integration in EFL curriculum and pedagogical practices: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Alka Fajari (Institut Agama Islam Persatuan Islam Bandung)
Dwi Puji Hastuti (Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika)
Anugrah Imani (Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Sep 2026

Abstract

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping English as a foreign language (EFL) education, particularly in teaching, assessment, feedback, and personalized learning. Existing reviews have largely focused on individual AI tools or isolated pedagogical outcomes, offering limited understanding of how AI is integrated across curriculum objectives, instructional activities, learning progression, assessment, and teacher AI literacy. Addressing this gap, this study analyzes 190 Scopus-indexed articles and reviews published between January 2020 and April 2026 using an integrated bibliometric and systematic literature review (SLR). Using Biblioshiny in RStudio for bibliometric mapping and PRISMA 2020 for article selection and reporting (n = 40), the study addresses three research questions concerning publication growth, source distribution, geographical contribution, and thematic structure (RQ1), dominant pedagogical approaches and curriculum frameworks (RQ2), and emerging gaps and future research directions (RQ3). Findings reveal a sharp increase in publications after 2023, with China, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia as the most productive contributing countries. Thematic analysis identified five major domains: teacher readiness and AI literacy, AI-supported pedagogical practices, curriculum integration and instructional design, learning outcomes and assessment, and ethical and implementation challenges. The integrated findings indicate that publication growth aligns structurally with the thematic emphasis on curriculum reform and AI literacy, while persistent gaps in longitudinal research, methodological diversity, and contextual governance remain.  The review is limited to Scopus-indexed, open-access publications within the January 2020–April 2026 search period. Implications for EFL curriculum development, teacher education policy, and institutional governance are discussed.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JREALL

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Journal of Research on English and Language Learning (J-REaLL) with ISSN numbers 2721-5016 (online) and 2721-5024 (printed) is an international journal that is published twice a year in the months of February and August. The aim of this journal is to promote a principled approach to research on ...