Students' Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in English-Speaking Practice

Willingness to Communicate (WTC) plays a crucial role in developing students' speaking proficiency in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. This study investigates whether students' in-class WTC can be enhanced through an AI-supported program and explores their perceptions of using the AI for future academic speaking development. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to collect data. The quantitative findings indicate a significant improvement in students' in-class WTC following the implementation of the AI-powered English speech evaluation and feedback program named EAP Talk. The interview data further reveal that participants generally hold positive attitudes toward using the AI platform for speaking practice. They report notable improvements in their speaking skills and learning experience and express a strong willingness to continue using the platform in the future. This study offers pedagogical implications for EFL learners, teachers and language learning software developers, highlighting the potential of AI-assisted programs in fostering WTC and confidence. It also provides recommendations for future research on the integration of AI in spoken language teaching and learning.