The impact of AI-driven speech recognition on EFL listening comprehension, flow experience, and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial

Yanling Xiao ()
Additional contact information
Yanling Xiao: Hainan University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of employing AI-driven methodologies on enhancing listening comprehension, flow experience, and alleviation of listening anxiety among English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. A cohort of 84 Chinese university students, primarily associated with English language programs, participated and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group utilizing AI-driven speech recognition technology or a control group receiving similar instruction without AI integration. Pre- and post-intervention assessments evaluated participants’ listening comprehension abilities, flow state, and listening anxiety. To assess the sustainability of the intervention effects, a follow-up assessment was conducted 3 weeks after the post-intervention assessment. The linear mixed model analyses demonstrated sustained benefits associated with the AI-driven approach. The experimental group exhibited notable improvements in listening skill scores, significant enhancements in the sense of flow, and decreased levels of listening anxiety across all three assessment points. In contrast, the control group showed comparatively moderate advancements in listening skills, relatively stable flow experience, and marginal changes in listening anxiety over the same duration. These outcomes highlight the efficacy of AI-driven technology in optimizing language learning outcomes for EFL students, emphasizing its potential to enhance listening comprehension, cultivate a more immersive learning experience, and alleviate listening-related apprehensions among learners.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-025-04672-8 Abstract (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-04672-8

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/palcomms/about

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04672-8

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Palgrave Communications from Palgrave Macmillan
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().