Attaining a high level of proficiency in speaking a second language (L2) is a formidable challenge, particularly in many English as a foreign language (EFL) settings, such as Taiwan. In such environments, students often encounter limited opportunities for English-speaking practice within formal classroom settings due to the prevalence of…

An increasing number of studies are exploring the benefits of automatic speech recognition (ASR)-based dictation programs for second language (L2) pronunciation learning (e.g. Chen, Inceoglu & Lim, 2020; Liakin, Cardoso & Liakina, 2015; McCrocklin, 2019), but how ASR recognizes accented speech and the nature of the feedback it provides to…

Virtual Reality (VR) has been used to enhance EFL learners' speaking skills due to its immersive and interactive features. This study thus investigated the effects of VR on elementary school students' English-speaking performance and such affective variables as their willingness to communicate (WTC) and learning autonomy. Fifty-six EFL sixth…

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been progressively utilized in educational environments in recent years, due to the advances in computing and information processing techniques. The automatic speech recognition technique (ASR) provides students with instantaneous feedback and interactive oral practice for supporting a context with…

This study has the aim of improving the English speaking ability of Taiwanese college freshmen by a video featuring connected speech instruction. Forty-eight students from a private university in northern Taiwan participated in the study, which lasted for 7 weeks. Pre- and post-tests were used to assess their speaking performance in terms of…

Despite evidence on the interaction between cognitive individual differences (IDs) and task complexity, our knowledge of how affective IDs, such as foreign language enjoyment (FLE), interact with task complexity and other factors is limited. Since tasks and activities were found by Dewaele and MacIntyre (2014) to be most relevant to FLE, and since…

This study explored the communication strategies of college students majoring in one of five modern foreign languages (i.e., English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish) and their relation to communication confidence. It also explored the association between their strategy use and the difficulty regarding the speaking components, and students'…

Drawing on Conversation Analysis, this paper investigates how an English native speaker interviewer utilizes clarification requests as a form of recipient design during an interview to resolve problems of non-understanding. This data is contrasted with interviews between English language learners at a private university in Taiwan. The findings…

While previous studies have focused on the outcomes of using dubbing apps to foster learner's development of English-speaking ability, this study, grounded in cognitive apprenticeship (CA), is an investigation of the learning processes, which included modeling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, reflection, and exploration, involved in the use…

In language learning, it is important to foster students' computational thinking and improve their skills of building arguments and dialectical structure, teamwork, and decision accuracy. This is especially so in English language courses which aim to promote students' cultural learning interest, creative thinking, and oral presentation.…

English speaking has been seen as a challenge for many English as a foreign language (EFL) learners, since they have limited chances to practice English-speaking skills. Therefore, it is essential to provide learners with adequate English-speaking contexts. To address this issue, this study integrated virtual reality (VR) into English speaking…

Speaking is a challenge for most English learners owing to the lack of practicing environments and partners. The virtual reality (VR) technology has changed this situation by providing learners with rich opportunities for practice. In VR-based practicing environments, peer tutoring is a common strategy for promoting peer assistance. However, in…

The implementation of computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) has been proven to be successful in improving learners' pronunciation abilities. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) software was used to provide mediated support to 103 pre-intermediate level students (62 males and 41 females). After experiencing a two-semester of CAPT…

With the rise of augmented reality (AR) and context-aware ubiquitous learning (CAUL), pedagogical designers in computer assisted language learning are increasingly developing authentic English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning environments. However, there has been little research regarding the development of evidence-based principles for…

In its descriptors for oral fluency the Common European Framework of Reference includes frequent references to the tempo of speech and the use of pausing. The present study aims to provide empirical evidence that these fluency phenomena exist; it also seeks to establish how they distinguish two different levels of proficiency (B2 and C1) among L2…