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Exploring the Role of GenAI Tools on Student Motivation and Communicative Competence in the Spanish Classroom

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Title: Exploring the Role of GenAI Tools on Student Motivation and Communicative Competence in the Spanish Classroom
Language: English
Authors: Ana García-Allén (ORCID 0000-0002-5373-154X), Alba Devo Colis (ORCID 0000-0002-1433-1252), Richard Martinez Loyola (ORCID 0009-0000-6105-4801), Gabriela Martinez Loyola (ORCID 0009-0002-1759-8013)
Source: The EUROCALL Review. 2025 32(2):157-168.
Availability: European Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (EUROCALL). EUROCALL Headquarters, School of Modern Languages, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. Tel: +34-67-943-1283; Web site: http://www.eurocall-languages.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Student Motivation, Spanish, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Technology Uses in Education, Advanced Courses, Technology Integration, Communicative Competence (Languages), Curriculum Development, College Students, Heritage Education, Second Language Learning, Student Attitudes, Universities
Geographic Terms: Canada
ISSN: 1695-2618
Abstract: This study explores the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in an advanced Spanish language course, with a focus on learner motivation and communicative competence. Although GenAI tools, such as chatbots and adaptive feedback systems, have been increasingly implemented in higher education, their application in Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) classroom remains under-researched. The research involved 41 students from two sections of an advanced Spanish course at a Canadian university, one for foreign language learners and one for heritage speakers. Participants completed a pre-task questionnaire, engaged in a GenAI supported collaborative task, and reflected on their experiences through a post-task survey. The primary task involved using ChatGPT to gather cultural information about a Spanish-speaking country and create a promotional campaign. Data were collected using both quantitative (Likert-scale surveys) and qualitative (open-ended reflections) methods. Findings indicate that most students felt comfortable and motivated when using GenAI tools and perceived them as useful for accessing real-time feedback and supporting personalized learning. The task was described as engaging and well-organized, although some students found it too simple to fully challenge their language abilities. Participants also identified limitations, including concerns about content accuracy, overreliance, and the lack of cultural and emotional nuance in GenAI outputs. The study underscores the importance of task design, GenAI literacy, and the instructor's role when implementing GenAI tools in language instruction. It advocates for a hybrid approach that combines human expertise with GenAI capabilities to foster motivation, learner autonomy, and communicative competence, addressing an underexplored gap in the literature.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494409
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Exploring the Role of GenAI Tools on Student Motivation and Communicative Competence in the Spanish Classroom
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ana+García-Allén%22">Ana García-Allén</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5373-154X">0000-0002-5373-154X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alba+Devo+Colis%22">Alba Devo Colis</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1433-1252">0000-0002-1433-1252</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+Martinez+Loyola%22">Richard Martinez Loyola</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6105-4801">0009-0000-6105-4801</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gabriela+Martinez+Loyola%22">Gabriela Martinez Loyola</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1759-8013">0009-0002-1759-8013</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22The+EUROCALL+Review%22"><i>The EUROCALL Review</i></searchLink>. 2025 32(2):157-168.
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  Data: European Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (EUROCALL). EUROCALL Headquarters, School of Modern Languages, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK. Tel: +34-67-943-1283; Web site: http://www.eurocall-languages.org/
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  Data: 12
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+Intelligence%22">Artificial Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Spanish%22">Spanish</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Advanced+Courses%22">Advanced Courses</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Integration%22">Technology Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communicative+Competence+%28Languages%29%22">Communicative Competence (Languages)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Heritage+Education%22">Heritage Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink>
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  Data: 1695-2618
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  Data: This study explores the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in an advanced Spanish language course, with a focus on learner motivation and communicative competence. Although GenAI tools, such as chatbots and adaptive feedback systems, have been increasingly implemented in higher education, their application in Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) classroom remains under-researched. The research involved 41 students from two sections of an advanced Spanish course at a Canadian university, one for foreign language learners and one for heritage speakers. Participants completed a pre-task questionnaire, engaged in a GenAI supported collaborative task, and reflected on their experiences through a post-task survey. The primary task involved using ChatGPT to gather cultural information about a Spanish-speaking country and create a promotional campaign. Data were collected using both quantitative (Likert-scale surveys) and qualitative (open-ended reflections) methods. Findings indicate that most students felt comfortable and motivated when using GenAI tools and perceived them as useful for accessing real-time feedback and supporting personalized learning. The task was described as engaging and well-organized, although some students found it too simple to fully challenge their language abilities. Participants also identified limitations, including concerns about content accuracy, overreliance, and the lack of cultural and emotional nuance in GenAI outputs. The study underscores the importance of task design, GenAI literacy, and the instructor's role when implementing GenAI tools in language instruction. It advocates for a hybrid approach that combines human expertise with GenAI capabilities to foster motivation, learner autonomy, and communicative competence, addressing an underexplored gap in the literature.
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  Data: EJ1494409
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 157
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Spanish
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
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      – SubjectFull: Advanced Courses
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      – SubjectFull: Technology Integration
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      – SubjectFull: Communicative Competence (Languages)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Heritage Education
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      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Canada
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring the Role of GenAI Tools on Student Motivation and Communicative Competence in the Spanish Classroom
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            NameFull: Alba Devo Colis
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            NameFull: Richard Martinez Loyola
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              Y: 2025
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