"Employing Artificial Intelligence Tools to Enhance English Speaking Skills among University Students"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/jfa.conf.10.3.21Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Duolingo, Socio-Interactionist TheoryAbstract
This pilot study aims to analyze the effectiveness of employing artificial intelligence tools, specifically the Duolingo app, in developing the English speaking skills of first-year students in the English Department at the College of Basic Education, University of Diyala.
160 male and female students were randomly selected and divided into two groups: an experimental group (80 students) who underwent training using Duolingo, and a control group (80 students) who received traditional instruction. Both groups were assessed using a speaking skills test designed according to IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors standards before and after the experiment.
The results showed a significant improvement in the performance of the experimental group compared to the control group, particularly in areas of fluency, accuracy, pronunciation, and linguistic richness.
These findings support Vygotsky's socio-interactionist theory, as the Duolingo app served as a cognitive mediator within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), providing gradual support and immediate feedback to enhance learning. The study concluded that integrating AI applications such as Duolingo into university English language teaching can significantly improve speaking skills, and recommends using these tools to complement traditional methods in university curricula.
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No. Name Specialty Place of Work
1 Prof. Dr. Muwafaq Ayoub Philosophy University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
2 Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatima Ismail Sociology University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
3 Asst. Prof. Dr. Muayyad Saad Sociology University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
4 Dr. Sahab Abd Hamed Psychological Counseling and Guidance University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
5 Asst. Prof. Dalia Hussein Yahya Methods of Teaching English Language University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
6 Asst. Prof. Samia Mohamed Rzouki Methods of Teaching English Language University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
7 Prof. Nizar Hussein Wali Methods of Teaching English Language University of Diyala - College of Basic Education
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