Refer China: Will AI Foreign Teachers Affect Real Foreign Teachers in China?

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Will the Arrival of AI Foreign Teachers Affect Real Foreign Teachers in China?

On November 18th, a groundbreaking moment in China's education industry took place—Banma Kouyu (or Zebra Spoken English) launched its first AI-powered 1-on-1 foreign teacher, dubbed a "superhuman" tutor who not only teaches but understands children. The product promises to reconstruct the learning experience using AI, ushering in a new era for children's spoken English learning.

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But as AI foreign teachers become increasingly humanlike—empathetic, flexible, and tailored—will their rise threaten the jobs of real foreign teachers in China?

More Than Just a Talking Machine

Unlike traditional educational software, Banma's AI foreign teacher isn't robotic. It can adapt its conversation flow based on children's responses. When a child talks passionately about their favorite Barbie doll, the AI doesn't interrupt to redirect the discussion but rather guides the child to express more—just like a patient human tutor would. In essence, it mimics the responsiveness and emotional intelligence of a great teacher.

The AI also empathizes. In one case, it comforted a lonely birthday child with virtual gifts, lifting her spirits. This kind of contextual sensitivity is powered by Banma's internally developed AI engine, trained over two years with an investment of around 200 million RMB.

Real-Time, Real Smart

What sets this AI apart is not just its empathy, but its processing speed and accuracy. Responses arrive within 1.5 seconds, and even complex reasoning takes no more than 2.5 seconds. It recognizes subtle pronunciation errors, even those unnoticed by native speakers. Combined with a vast knowledge base, it can engage children in discussions about animations, games, or any topic of interest—without losing pace.

It also helps children overcome language hurdles. When kids forget an English word and blurt out the Chinese equivalent, the AI understands immediately and prompts the correct English term—an invaluable feature for beginners.

Personalized, Scalable, and Affordable

A key advantage of the AI teacher is standardization. Unlike human teachers, whose mood or energy may vary, AI delivers consistent, high-quality lessons every time. It can also personalize its teaching based on each student's interests, past learning records, and language level—eventually forming a unique "secret language" with each child.

At only 37.5 RMB for a 25-minute session, the AI undercuts real foreign tutors by a wide margin—77% cheaper than a North American teacher charging 160 RMB for the same duration. Parents avoid scheduling headaches, commuting stress, or lesson cancellations. Children can now learn anywhere, anytime, with a learning rhythm that suits them best.

What This Means for Foreign Teachers

The appeal of AI tutors is clear—personalized, emotionally intelligent, affordable, and always available. While this might seem like a threat to human educators, it doesn't necessarily mean AI will replace them outright. Instead, AI is likely to redefine roles.

Foreign teachers with exceptional teaching styles, strong engagement skills, and the ability to create real emotional bonds with students will remain in demand. But the pressure will rise on average or inconsistent performers. AI sets a new baseline for what "good" teaching looks like—interactive, responsive, and tailored. The real challenge for human teachers will be to match, or better yet, enhance what AI can offer, perhaps by integrating AI tools into their own lessons.

A New Learning Ecosystem

Rather than an "AI vs. Human" narrative, the future of language learning might see a hybrid model. AI handles routine practice, pronunciation drills, and emotional support, while human teachers bring global perspectives, cultural nuances, and mentorship that machines still can't fully replicate.

In short, AI foreign teachers like Banma's won't wipe out their human counterparts—but they will force the industry to evolve. Teaching in China is no longer just about showing up and speaking English. It's about connection, creativity, and adaptability—traits that both humans and AI must continue to sharpen.

So, what do you think? Will AI tutors like Banma redefine the future of language education, or is there still irreplaceable value in human connection? We'd love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.

Source: 斑马口语, 人物等