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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE–DRIVEN LANGUAGE LEARNING: ENHANCING ESL
LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY ACQUISITION AND PRONUNCIATION
DEVELOPMENT IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

1
Azha Farid* , Tanveer Akthar 2

1 Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China.
2 University of Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan.
(*E-mail: azhafarid54@gmail.com)

ABSTRACT
The digital economy is evolving at a fast pace due to the rapid development of
Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming educational practices and redefining
language learning. Intelligent tutoring systems, automatic speech recognition, natural
language processing and generative AI are examples of AI-based technologies that are
used to facilitate personalized, adaptive, and interactive learning activities. The presented
research problem is the following: What is the effectiveness of AI based language learning
tools in enhancing vocabulary and pronunciation development in university-level English
as a Second Language (ESL) learners? The mixed-method research design was used that
combined quantitative research data based on pre-tests and post-tests with the
qualitative research data based on student feedback questionnaires and classroom
observations. Fifty ESL students at the university took part in an eight-week intervention
with the help of AI-based vocabulary and pronunciation tools. Paired-sample t-tests were
used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. The
results show the statistically significant difference in vocabulary knowledge and the
accuracy of pronunciation among the learners whose vocabulary was improved and
whose pronunciation accuracy was enhanced following the intervention. Moreover,
students noted that they got more motivated, gained autonomy in learning, and engaged
when using AI-supported tools. The research makes practical and pedagogic contributions
to the role of AI technologies in the higher education language classroom and illustrates
the transformational nature of AI in the realm of the digital economy to aid language
development.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence in language learning; applied linguistics; ESL
learning; vocabulary acquisition; pronunciation development.

1. Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved at a very fast rate, which has revolutionized
most areas of contemporary society, including education. Over the last few years, AI
technologies started to find their way into the educational setting to improve the process
of teaching and learning, as well as generate a more individualized learning experience.
These technological advancements have been useful in language education, especially the
English as a Second Language (ESL) learning. The intelligent tutoring system, speech
recognition program, natural language processing applications, and generative AI
platform are among the recently proposed AI-driven tools capable of enhancing the
process of language learning (Luckin et al., 2016). Through these technologies, it is
possible to provide customized learning, non-linear learning content and instant feedback,
which is sometimes hard to establish in the conventional classroom environment. Within

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