AI in Language Education: Enhancing Learners’ Speaking Awareness through AI-Supported Training

Abstract

This study reported teaching practices using AI-supported training to enhance English language learners’ speaking awareness in instructional contexts. The study involved 36 intermediate-level English language learners in engineering majors from a research university in China. Participants engaged in a language training project using a spoken dialog system called TalkAI as technical support. The training process and its impact were recorded and analyzed with quantitative data derived from AI scoring feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and usage performance, as well as qualitative data obtained from student self-reports. Results indicate that students made significant progress in overall speaking performance through AI-powered training, as evidenced by improvements in scoring reports and the length of student responses. In addition, students managed to articulate specific statements regarding their speaking skills, develop systematic judgments concerning personal performances, and deploy targeted strategies in formulating follow-up action plans. These findings underscore the potential of AI-supported training in fostering positive shifts in students' language awareness within instructional contexts.