Frankie Har: English Language Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, China
Jamie Sullivan: English Language Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, China
Abstract
ClassPoint, an interactive presentation tool, was integrated into a Year 1 university-level English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course in Hong Kong to foster real-time participation, boost critical engagement, and hone students' academic literacies during face-to-face classes. Students were asked to use their own devices to interact directly with PowerPoint slides, responding to quiz questions, submitting digital annotations, contributing to live word clouds, and participating in paraphrasing exercises. In this article, we explain the pedagogical rationale for adopting ClassPoint and the pedagogical implications of doing so. We aim to assist L2 teachers in leveraging in-class technology to enhance student engagement, provide immediate feedback, and create a more dynamic and responsive language learning environment.
Keywords: Academic Literacies, AI-powered ClassPoint, Critical Engagement, digital annotations, EAP
Suggested Citation:
Har, F., & Sullivan, J. (2026). From passive reception to active construction: Using AI-powered ClassPoint to develop academic literacies in university EAP. Applied Language Sciences, 2, 260104. https://doi.org/10.65553/ALS.260104
Author Biographies
Frankie Har is an English instructor at the English Language Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests lie in the areas of Computer Assisted Language Learning, AI in Education, Gamification in ELT and Professional Development. He is the reviewer of Computers and Education, Computers and Education Open, Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Assisted Language Learning, RELC Journal, Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, Technology in Language Teaching & Learning and Frontiers in Education. His publications appeared in RELC Journal, The Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics, Springer Nature, University of Michigan Press and Frontiers Journal. His most recent and forthcoming publications include “Navigating Professional Growth in AI in Language Education: Narratives from a University in Hong Kong” (in press), “EFL Teaching in the RenAIssance: A study of Thai pre-service teachers' perceptions of Artificial Intelligence” (in press), “ChatGPT 5.2 for multimodal language teaching and learning: A two-year update” (2026), “HeyGen's AI video platform for English language teaching” (2026), “Perusall Encourages Critical Engagement with Reading Texts” (2024), "Teaching English as a Second Language in the Midst of a Paradigm Shift: An Exploration of Students' and Teachers' Perception of ChatGPT" (2023), and "The Future of Education utilizing an Artificial Intelligence Robot in the Centre for Independent Language Learning: Teacher Perceptions of the Robot as a Service" (2023).
Email: frankie.tk.har@polyu.edu.hk
Orcid: 0000-0002-1896-9421
Jamie Sullivan is an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) instructor at the English Language Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He previously taught at the University of Sheffield, University College London, and the University of Edinburgh. His teaching and research interests focus on academic literacies, technology-enhanced language learning, and inclusive approaches to digital learning in higher education. His recent work includes the conference presentation “From Slides to Success: Transforming University Language Teaching with ClassPoint” at the MAELT English Language Teaching Conference in Macau (2025) and the co-authored article “The Role of Accessibility Statements on Irish School Websites,” published in the Advancing Education journal (2024).
Email: jamie.sullivan@polyu.edu.hk
