Examining EFL Students' Perceptions and Experiences with AI-driven Metaverse Environments for Developing Communication Skills

Abstract

This study examines the development of oral communication skills in a second language (L2) context. This research employs an orally given text-based generative AI (GenAI) model as its methodology. The population in this study was 505 students at teaching and educational science faculties in universities. The demographics and sample for this study consisted of 25 undergraduate students who are majoring in Indonesian language education and 26 students who are from the Pancasila education and public health study program at Al Asyariah Mandar University, Indonesia in the 2022 academic year. They were selected via a purposive sampling method. The instruments utilized in this quantitative research are a questionnaire and observation. The research results indicated that the students' choice of interactions with virtual robots continued to improve their English communication skills, including vocabulary, intonation, gesture, and fluently dan volume. They also believe that AI can enhance their learning autonomy, critical thinking abilities, and confidence in practicing English effectively and quickly. This research contribution provides insight into the importance of using AI-robot technology so that participants achieve learning outcomes, making learning more enjoyable, the importance of soft skills for the cognitive process of language acquisition, and collaboratively foster communicative competencies in the 21st century.