Effect of Artificial Intelligence-Based Application on Saudi Preparatory -Year Students’ EFL Speaking Skills at Albaha University

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effect of Artificial Intelligence(AI) for developing non-English major students at preparatory year, Albaha University some speaking skills. Two instruments were developed for the purpose of this study; a pre-post-speaking test and a speaking rubric. The participants were 20 engineering students at preparatory-year Albaha University, Saudi Arabia. A speaking pre and posttest, speaking rubric and students' self-reflection were administered. The study followed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. The selected speaking skills were developed through a mobile application [ELSA Speak] based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The selected speaking sub-skills skills were fluency and accuracy. Findings of the study revealed significant differences in the mean scores of the treatment group on the speaking pretest and posttest in favor of the posttest. The results showed that AI enhanced the students’ speaking skills. This study concluded with recommendations pertinent to using artificial intelligence as a tool for teaching speaking skills.