An Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Speech Evaluation Programs With Automatic Feedback for Developing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills

Bin Zou; Yiran Du; Zhimai Wang; Jinxian Chen; Weilei Zhang

doi:10.1177/21582440231193818

An Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Speech Evaluation Programs With Automatic Feedback for Developing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills

Bin Zou, Yiran Du, Zhimai Wang, Jinxian Chen, Weilei Zhang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enhanced the use of automated speech evaluation systems for language learners to practice speaking skills. This study investigated whether various automatic feedback offered by AI speech evaluation programs can help English as a foreign language (EFL) learners develop speaking skills. Forty EFL learners in China participated in this study. Data collection included qualitative and quantitative data. The results showed that the majority of participants believed they improved their speaking skills with the feedback offered by the AI speaking evaluation program. The findings also revealed that there were significant improvements in their mean scores of speaking skills in pre- and post-tests. Therefore, it is suggested that AI speaking evaluation systems could provide more varied textual feedback and practical suggestions to assist EFL learners in developing speaking skills.

Original language	English
Journal	SAGE Open
Volume	13
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231193818
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2023

Keywords

artificial intelligence
English (second language)
feedback
mixed method design
speaking skills
speech evaluation

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10.1177/21582440231193818

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title = "An Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Speech Evaluation Programs With Automatic Feedback for Developing EFL Learners{\textquoteright} Speaking Skills",

abstract = "The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enhanced the use of automated speech evaluation systems for language learners to practice speaking skills. This study investigated whether various automatic feedback offered by AI speech evaluation programs can help English as a foreign language (EFL) learners develop speaking skills. Forty EFL learners in China participated in this study. Data collection included qualitative and quantitative data. The results showed that the majority of participants believed they improved their speaking skills with the feedback offered by the AI speaking evaluation program. The findings also revealed that there were significant improvements in their mean scores of speaking skills in pre- and post-tests. Therefore, it is suggested that AI speaking evaluation systems could provide more varied textual feedback and practical suggestions to assist EFL learners in developing speaking skills.",

keywords = "artificial intelligence, English (second language), feedback, mixed method design, speaking skills, speech evaluation",

author = "Bin Zou and Yiran Du and Zhimai Wang and Jinxian Chen and Weilei Zhang",

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AU - Wang, Zhimai

AU - Chen, Jinxian

AU - Zhang, Weilei

N1 - Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research is supported by REF-21-02-004 in XJTLU. Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023.

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N2 - The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enhanced the use of automated speech evaluation systems for language learners to practice speaking skills. This study investigated whether various automatic feedback offered by AI speech evaluation programs can help English as a foreign language (EFL) learners develop speaking skills. Forty EFL learners in China participated in this study. Data collection included qualitative and quantitative data. The results showed that the majority of participants believed they improved their speaking skills with the feedback offered by the AI speaking evaluation program. The findings also revealed that there were significant improvements in their mean scores of speaking skills in pre- and post-tests. Therefore, it is suggested that AI speaking evaluation systems could provide more varied textual feedback and practical suggestions to assist EFL learners in developing speaking skills.

AB - The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enhanced the use of automated speech evaluation systems for language learners to practice speaking skills. This study investigated whether various automatic feedback offered by AI speech evaluation programs can help English as a foreign language (EFL) learners develop speaking skills. Forty EFL learners in China participated in this study. Data collection included qualitative and quantitative data. The results showed that the majority of participants believed they improved their speaking skills with the feedback offered by the AI speaking evaluation program. The findings also revealed that there were significant improvements in their mean scores of speaking skills in pre- and post-tests. Therefore, it is suggested that AI speaking evaluation systems could provide more varied textual feedback and practical suggestions to assist EFL learners in developing speaking skills.

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KW - English (second language)

KW - feedback

KW - mixed method design

KW - speaking skills

KW - speech evaluation

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An Investigation Into Artificial Intelligence Speech Evaluation Programs With Automatic Feedback for Developing EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills

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Keywords

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