Enhancing Speaking Fluency and Self-Perceived Communication Confidence (SPCC); a Comprehensive Approach to Integrating AI Solutions in EFL Online Flipped Classrooms

Abstract

Among various technological tools, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a strong drive in the area of the education, especially in the realm of oral communication. This study investigated the effect of AI-based instruction in online flipped classrooms on Iranian EFL learners’ speaking fluency and SPCC. To this end, 44 out of 113 Iranian EFL learners from three language institutes in Iran during 2024 academic year were selected based on a placement and divided into two groups as one experimental group and one control group. The data were obtained via TOEFL placement test and Self-Perceived Communication Competence (SPCC) Scale developed and designed by McCroskey and McCroskey (1988). The data were analyzed based on the descriptive statistics and factorial ANCOVA. The results revealed that that AI-based instruction in online flipped classrooms has a positively significant effect on Iranian EFL learners’ speaking fluency and SPCC. Finally, the theoretical and pedagogical implications of the study are provided.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; EFL Learners; Online Flipped Classrooms; Self-Perceived Communication Confidence (SPCC); Speaking Fluency