Designing a Smart Voice Assistant Based on Artificial Intelligence to Develop Listening and Speaking Skills in English for Elementary School Students
Article Number: e2025403 | Available Online: August 2025 | DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.17.403
Abdulssalam Alqarni , Ali Alhramelah
Full text PDF |
3333 |
972
Abstract
|
Background/purpose. The research aimed to develop listening and speaking skills in English as a foreign language among elementary school students by designing a smart voice assistant application based on artificial intelligence technology. Materials/methods. The research used the experimental methodology and was applied to a sample of two groups. The first group was the experimental group, which included ten students, and the control group included twelve students. Two research tools were designed: the first tool was an observation card and the second one was an oral test. The observation card included two axes: the first to assess listening skills, and the second to assess speaking abilities. Results. The results of the observation card showed statistically significant results between the two groups. The experimental group performed better on two indicators of assessing listening skill and four indicators of measuring speaking skill. In contrast, the findings of the research through the oral exam indicated the presence of statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the listening and speaking abilities. The research attributed these differences to the positive effect of applying the smart voice assistant on developing the listening and speaking skills of the students in the experimental group. |
Conclusion. The study demonstrated that smart voice assistants based on artificial intelligence significantly improved students' English listening and speaking skills. These results highlight the potential of integrating modern technology into language learning to enhance student engagement and achievement.
Keywords: Smart Voice Assistant, Artificial Intelligence, Listening Skill, Speaking Skill
ReferencesAbalkheel, A. (2022). Amalgamating bloom’s taxonomy and artificial intelligence to face the challenges of online EFL learning amid post-covid-19 in Saudi Arabia. International journal of English language and literature studies, 11(1), 16-30. https://doi.org/10.18488/5019.v11i1.4409
Ahmed, K., & Abdel Samad, A. (2020). Artificial intelligence applications & the future of instructional technology. E-content generic vendor.
Alghamdi, S., & Alfarani, L. (2020). The reality of using female teachers at the special education schools, as well as the educational applications of artificial intelligence (AI), and their attitude towards it. International Journal of Educational & Psychological Studies (EPS), 8(1), 57-76. https://doi.org/DOI:10.31559/EPS2020.8.1.4
Al-Hadi, M. (2021). Artificial intelligence, its features, applications, and developmental and societal impacts. The Egyptian Lebanese house.
Ali, S. (2020). Using an artificial intelligence application for developing primary school pupils' oral language skills. Journal of education, 75, 68-110. https://doi.org/10.21608/edusohag.2020.97643
Aljohani, R. (2021). Teachers and students’ perceptions on the impact of artificial intelligence on English language learning in Saudi Arabia. Journal of applied linguistics and language research, 8(1), 36-47. https://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/1156
Al-khaza'aleh, Ala’a. (2021). Digitalization and its Effect on Improving Sixth Grade Student’s English Language Listening Comprehension Skill in Mafraq Educational Directorate. IUG Journal of Educational & Psychological Studies 29(1), 565-570. https://doi.org/10.33976/IUGJEPS.29.1/2021/24
Al-Muqeeti, S., & Abu Al-Ola, L. (2022). The reality of employing artificial intelligence and its relationship to the quality of performance of Jordanian universities from the faculty’s perspectives. Journal of the association of arab universities for research in higher education, 42(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.36024/1248-042-002-019
Al-Sharif, A. (2022). Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. Read Publisher.
Arihant Experts. (2021). CTET and TET English language and pedagogy paper 1 and 2 for 2021 exams. Arihant publications India limited.
Baby, K., & Saeed, M. (2020). Beyond the classroom through the paperless mode. International Journal of linguistics, literature and translation, 3(1), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2020.3.1.9
Bailey, K. (2020). Teaching Listening and Speaking in Second and Foreign Language Contexts. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350093560
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1986(23-28). https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446221129.n6
Benouareth, H., & Kaouache, S. (2021). Integrating videos in English as foreign language class to enhance listening comprehension: a literature review. Academic review of social and human studies, 13(1),3-13. https://www.asjp.cerist.dz/en/downArticle/552/13/1/141104
Benzie, A., & Montasari, R. (2022). Artificial intelligence and the spread of mis and disinformation. In R. Montasari (Ed.), Artificial intelligence and national security (pp.1-18). Springer nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06709-9_1
Bilic, L., Ebner, M., & Ebner, M. (2020). A voice-enabled game based learning application using amazon's echo with Alexa voice service. International journal of interactive mobile technologies. 226-232. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v14i03.12311
Boussaid, J. (2022). The effectiveness of modern technology in facilitating the teaching of the sounds of the Arabic language to not speaking Arabic –an analyctical descriptive study- ASJP, 8(3), 519-532. https://www.asjp.cerist.dz/en/downArticle/136/8/3/201201
Branch, R., & Dousay, T. (2015). Survey of instructional development models. 5th ed. AECT. Survey of Instructional Design Models - Association for Educational Communications and Technology (aect.org)
Chen, X., Xie, H., Zou, D., & Hwang, G. (2020). Application and theory gaps during the rise of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Computers and education: artificial intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2020.100002
Di Blas, N., Lodi, L., Paolini, P., Pernici, B., Raspa, N., Rooein, D., & Renzi, F. (2019). Sustainable Chatbots supporting Learning. Paper presented at the edmedia + Innovate Learning 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/210148
Dimitriadis, G. (2020). Evolution in education: chatbots. Homo virtualis, 3(1), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.12681/homvir.23456
Dizon, G. (2020). Evaluating intelligent personal assistants for L2 listening and speaking development. Language learning & technology, 24(1), 16-26. https://www.lltjournal.org/item/10125-44705/
Dizon, G., & Tang, D. (2020). Intelligent personal assistants for autonomous second language learning: An investigation of Alexa. JALT call journal, 16(2), 107–120. https://doi.org/10.29140/jaltcall.v16n2.273
El-Shazly, R. (2020). Effects of artificial intelligence on English speaking anxiety and speaking performance: A case study. Expert Systems 38(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/exsy.12667
Ghoneim, N., & Elghotmy, H. (2021). Using an artificial intelligence-based program to enhance primary school stage pupils' listening skills. Educational journal, 83(83), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.21608/EDUSOHAG.2021.140694
Gutierrez, G. (2013). Newby, Stepich, Lehman and Russell (PIE model) and ADDIE. https://rb.gy/zhrtkc
Haberman, P., Afzaal, M., Ghaffar, A., & Alfadda, H. (2020). Various roles in the development of EFL learners’ English skills. International journal of instruction, 13(4), 609-622. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13438a
Hamouda, A. (2020). The effect of virtual classes on Saudi EFL students’ speaking skills. International journal of linguistics, literature and translation, 3(4), 175-204.
Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence in education: promises and implications for teaching & learning. Center for curriculum redesign. https://doi.org/10.58863/20.500.12424/4276068
Hou, Z. (2021). Research on adopting artificial intelligence technology to improve effectiveness of vocational college English learning. Journal of physics: conference series, 1744 (2021), 042122.1-6. http://doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1744/4/042122
Huang, X., Zou, D., Cheng, G., Chen, X., & Xie, H. (2023). Trends, research issues and applications of artificial intelligence in language education. Educational technology & society, 26(1), 112-131. https://doi.org/10.30191/ETS.202301_26(1).0009
Kaczorowska-Spychalska, D. (2019). How chatbots influence marketing. Management. Sciendo, 23(1), 251-270. https://doi.org/10.2478/manment-2019-0015
Keezhatta, M. S. (2019). Understanding EFL linguistic models through relationship between natural language processing and artificial intelligence applications. Arab world English journal, 10(4), 251-262. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no4.19
Knote, R., Janson, A., Söller, M., & Leimeister, J. M. (2020). Value co-creation in smart services: a functional affordances perspective on smart personal assistants. Journal of the association for information systems. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00667
Koletsi, M. (2019). Radical technologies: Blockchain as an organizational movement. Homo virtualis, 2(1), 25-33. https://doi.org/10.12681/homvir.20191
Kushmar, L., Vornachev, A., Korobova, I., & Kaida, N. (2022). Artificial intelligence in language learning: what are we afraid of. Arab world English journal, (8), 262-273. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call8.18
Lin, C.-J., & Mubarok, H. (2021). Learning analytics for investigating the mind map-guided ai chatbot approach in an EFL flipped speaking classroom. Educational technology & society, 24(4), 16–35.
Liu, A., & Kong, D. (2021). Research on the teaching mode of college English based on artificial intelligence. Journal of physics: conference series, 1848. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1848/1/012117
Mahmoudi, M. (2020, 30 November – 1 December). The future of education post-corona [scientific paper]. The second educational conference 2022. Arab center for educational research for the gulf states "distance education: a response to the corona pandemic", Kuwait.
Mart, C. (2020). Integrating Listening and Speaking Skills to Promote Speech Production and Language Development. MEXTESOL journal, 44(2), 1-7. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1320890
Miao, F., Holmes, W., Huang, R., & Zhang, H. (2021). Artificial intelligence and education: guidance for policymakers. UNESCO Publishing.
Namaziandost, E., & Imani, A. (2020). Compensatory strategies and Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ speaking fluency: focusing on self-repetition and comprehension check strategies. International journal of linguistics, literature and translation, 3(3), 107-114.
Newby, T. J., Stepich, D., Lehman, J., & Russell, J. D. (1996). Instructional technology for teaching and learning: Designing, integrating computers, and using media. Pearson Education, Inc
Ouyang, F., & Jiao, P. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: The three paradigms. Computers and education: artificial intelligence, 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100020
Rajendran, T., & Yunus, M. (2021). A systematic literature review on the use of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) for enhancing speaking skills among ESL and EFL learners. International journal of academic research in progressive education and development, 10(1), 586–609. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v10-i1/8939
Randhawa, G., & Jackson, M. (2019). The role of artificial intelligence in learning and professional development for healthcare professionals. Healthcare Management Forum, 33(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0840470419869032
Rao, P. (2019). The role of English as a global language. Research Journal of English, 4(1), 65-79. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334282978
Riadil, I. (2020). A study of students’ perception: Identifying EFL learners’ problems in speaking skills. International journal of education, language, and religion, 2(1), 31-38. https://doi.org/10.35308/ijelr.v2i1.2256
Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2009). Artificial Intelligence. Upper Saddle River.
Sayed, W. (2021). Effective use of Artificial intelligence (AI) applications were used to automatically recognize the physical acoustic properties of speech of pupils with articulation disorders in primary school. Journal of education Sohag UNV, 3(88), 1176-1269. https://doi.org/10.21608/edusohag.2021.181928
Seeber, I. (2019). Chatbots in Education (Doctoral dissertation).
Shih, W., & Rivero, E. (2020). Virtual voice assistants. American library association: library technology reports, 56(4). 1-40. https://doi.org/10.5860/ltr.56n4
Shin, D., Kim, H., Lee, J., & Yang, H. (2021). Exploring the use of an artificial intelligence chatbot as second language conversation partners. Korean journal of English language and linguistics, 21, 375-391. http://journal.kasell.or.kr
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: a learning theory for the digital age. http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm
Skinner, B. (1965). Science and human behavior (No. 92904). Simon and Schuster.
Tang, J., & Foley, F. (2022). A case study on the effectiveness of applying content and language integrated learning in an artificial intelligence English reading course. Arab world English journal, 13(3), 236-253. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no3.15
Tantawy, S. (2021). A Mobile learning environment based on using interactive infographics in developing listening comprehension skills of English language among the students of the Egyptian Japanese schools. Faculty of education: journal of education, 91(91), 276-324. https://doi.org/10.21608/edusohag.2021.196348
Terzopoulos, G., & Satratzemi, M. (2020). Voice assistants and smart speakers in everyday life and in education. Informatics in education, 19(3), 473-490. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1267812.pdf
Tsourakas, T., Terzopoulos, G., & Goumas, S. (2021). Educational use of voice assistants and smart speakers. Journal of engineering science and technology review, 14(4), 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.25103/jestr.144.01
Visaltanachoti, C., Viriyavejakul, C., & Ratanaolarn, T. (2021). Development guidelines for an artificial intelligence algorithmic model in teaching foreign languages to Thai students. PalArch’s journal of archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(18), 371-380. https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/10477
Vygotsky, L., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: Development of higher psychological processes. Cole, M., John-Steiner, V., Scribner, S., & Souberman, E. (Eds.). Harvard University Press.
Winkler, R., Söllner, M., & Leimeister, J. (2021). Enhancing problem-solving skills with smart personal assistant technology. Computers & education, 165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104148
Yuan, X. (2021). Retraction: design of college English teaching information platform based on artificial intelligence technology. Journal of physics: conference series, 1852022031. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1852/2/022031
Zhai, X., Chu, X., Chai, C., Jong, M., Istenic, A., Spector, M., Liu, J., Yuan, J., & Li, Y. (2021). A review of artificial intelligence (AI) in education from 2010 to 2020. Complexity, 2021, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8812542