The Role of GenAI in EFL Speaking: Effects on Oral Proficiency, Anxiety and Risk-Taking

This study investigated the impact of GenAI on students’ English oral proficiency, foreign language speaking anxiety (FLSA), and linguistic risk-taking (LRT). Seventy-one Chinese university students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) participated in an 8-week programme for oral practice supported by GenAI. The students were divided into two groups: the high proficiency group (HG, n = 37) and the low proficiency group (LG, n = 34). Besides an assessment of English-speaking ability, they also completed surveys measuring their perceptions of their oral proficiency, anxiety and risk-taking before and after the programme. Results showed both groups experienced improvements in their English oral proficiency and LRT, accompanied by a noteworthy reduction in FLSA. The HG learners exhibited substantial enhancement in vocabulary among all speaking skills, whereas the LG learners experienced a notable progress in fluency. These findings provide insights into the effectiveness of GenAI in enhancing students’ English-speaking learning outcomes and emotional dynamics.