Speaking English with AI or Humans: What Engages EFL Learners More?

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Speaking English with AI or Humans: What Engages EFL Learners More?
Authors: Lee, Juhee1 juheelee.carpediem@gmail.com
Source: English Teaching. 2025 Special Issue, Vol. 80, p41-66. 26p.
Subject Terms: *Student attitudes, *Computer assisted language instruction, *Limited English-proficient students, *Interlanguage (Language learning), *Second language acquisition, *Teaching methods, Social interaction, Oral communication
Abstract: This study investigated the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and peer interactions on the speaking performance and attitudes of EFL university students using a within-subjects design. Thirty-nine participants engaged in both AI-based and peer-based speaking activities over 14 weeks and completed pre- and post-speaking tests, as well as pre-, mid-, and post-questionnaires. At the end of the semester, they also submitted reflective essays describing their experiences. Results revealed significant improvements in both speaking performance and self-perceived speaking skills from pre- to post-test. However, students' attitudes toward AI and peer interactions diverged. Engagement, interest, and participation in AI interactions declined over time, whereas these affective dimensions in peer interactions remained stable or improved. Enjoyment and concentration were also consistently higher in peer interactions than in AI interactions. Overall, the findings suggest that although AI can enhance EFL learners' speaking performance through repetitive practice and timely feedback, peer interactions play a more enduring role in supporting engagement, enjoyment, and meaningful language learning over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of English Teaching is the property of Korea Association of Teachers of English and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 191680689
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Speaking English with AI or Humans: What Engages EFL Learners More?
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lee%2C+Juhee%22">Lee, Juhee</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> juheelee.carpediem@gmail.com</i>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22English+Teaching%22">English Teaching</searchLink>. 2025 Special Issue, Vol. 80, p41-66. 26p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+attitudes%22">Student attitudes</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+assisted+language+instruction%22">Computer assisted language instruction</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Limited+English-proficient+students%22">Limited English-proficient students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interlanguage+%28Language+learning%29%22">Interlanguage (Language learning)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+language+acquisition%22">Second language acquisition</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+methods%22">Teaching methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+interaction%22">Social interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Oral+communication%22">Oral communication</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study investigated the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and peer interactions on the speaking performance and attitudes of EFL university students using a within-subjects design. Thirty-nine participants engaged in both AI-based and peer-based speaking activities over 14 weeks and completed pre- and post-speaking tests, as well as pre-, mid-, and post-questionnaires. At the end of the semester, they also submitted reflective essays describing their experiences. Results revealed significant improvements in both speaking performance and self-perceived speaking skills from pre- to post-test. However, students' attitudes toward AI and peer interactions diverged. Engagement, interest, and participation in AI interactions declined over time, whereas these affective dimensions in peer interactions remained stable or improved. Enjoyment and concentration were also consistently higher in peer interactions than in AI interactions. Overall, the findings suggest that although AI can enhance EFL learners' speaking performance through repetitive practice and timely feedback, peer interactions play a more enduring role in supporting engagement, enjoyment, and meaningful language learning over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of English Teaching is the property of Korea Association of Teachers of English and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=191680689
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.15858/engtea.80.5.202512.41
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 41
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Student attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer assisted language instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Limited English-proficient students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interlanguage (Language learning)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second language acquisition
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Oral communication
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Speaking English with AI or Humans: What Engages EFL Learners More?
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lee, Juhee
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 02
              M: 12
              Text: 2025 Special Issue
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 10177108
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 80
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: English Teaching
              Type: main
ResultId 1