ERIC Number: EJ1433592
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0958-8221
EISSN: EISSN-1744-3210
Effects of Intelligent Personal Assistants on EFL Learners' Oral Proficiency outside the Classroom
Computer Assisted Language Learning, v37 n5-6 p1281-1310 2024
Intelligent personal assistants (IPAs) are a valuable tool in language learning because they provide opportunities for authentic interaction. However, their effectiveness, compared with that of human interlocutors, in facilitating second and foreign language interaction has not been explored. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of IPAs (i.e. Google Assistant on smartphones) on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' oral proficiency outside the classroom and the differences between IPA-human interaction and human-only interaction. A total of 89 college freshmen participated in an out-of-class program consisting of 10-minute sessions twice a week for one semester. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: (1) those who interacted with Google Assistant on smartphones; (2) those who interacted with L1 English speakers; and (3) those who interacted with L2 English speakers. Both quantitative (English oral proficiency tests) and qualitative data (focus group interviews) were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that the out-of-class use of Google Assistant significantly improved the EFL learners' oral proficiency, with a positive effect similar to that of interaction with L1 English speakers. A detailed analysis of the interviews revealed that the mobility and ubiquity of Google Assistant exposed learners to a large amount of high-quality oral input, provided opportunities to practice speaking with immediate, multimodal feedback, engaged learners through various modes of interaction, eliminated learners' fear of making mistakes, reduced learners' anxiety in speaking English, and encouraged self-directed learning outside the classroom, which are all conducive to improving EFL learners' oral proficiency.
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Oral Language, Language Proficiency, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, College Freshmen, Program Effectiveness, Interpersonal Communication, Native Speakers, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A