Bridging the 2008–2026 gap: Updating the BALEAP Competencies Framework for the AI era

Abstract

This opinion piece argues that BALEAP’s 2008 Competency Framework for Teachers of English for Academic Purposes (CFTEAP) does not adequately represent the core competencies of EAP practitioners in the AI era and urgently requires a comprehensive update. While the CFTEAP has played an important historical role in supporting teacher development in EAP, it is underpinned by assumptions that predate major technological developments in the field, particularly GenAI. Drawing on recent literature in EAP, language teaching and educational technology, this paper highlights the centrality of digital and AI literacy to current EAP practice, arguing that the limited treatment of technology in the CFTEAP significantly restricts its ability to fulfil its intended roles in 2026. The paper concludes by suggesting that explicit digital and AI competency descriptors (along with descriptors reflecting other recent developments in the field) should be incorporated into an updated CFTEAP to ensure its continued relevance and utility.