Foreign Language Anxiety & AI Tutors

Explore how AI-powered language tutors are transforming the way we learn and navigate foreign language anxiety. In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive deep into groundbreaking research and real-world applications of AI tutors, including tools like MySpeakingScore, to revolutionize language learning. Discover how these advanced apps offer judgment-free practice, personalized feedback, and confidence-building environments that help learners tackle communication and situational anxieties.

Learn why AI is not just a tool but a bridge to meaningful human connections, empowering learners to embrace the challenges and joys of cross-cultural communication. Don't miss this insightful journey into the future of education and language mastery!

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• My Speaking Score

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• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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My Speaking Score serves 000s of users across the globe by helping them data-power their TOEFL Speaking prep.

Transcript

Welcome back everybody for another deep dive this time We're gonna be talking about something pretty interesting Mm-hmm AI and language learning. Yes, specifically how this technology is being used to like tackle anxiety. Yeah When learning languages, absolutely, which I don't know about you But I could have definitely used that back in my high school Spanish class. 

Oh, yeah me too for sure. So Anxiety, it really is a major roadblock I think for a lot of language learners right and the study we're gonna be looking at today is From the Journal of language culture and education, okay, and they interviewed 20 Chinese college students Wow who are using these AI oral tutoring apps Huh interesting imagine like you have a personal language coach like right available 24-7 giving you feedback Yeah, and they're not judging you or anything. No judgment. 

That's what these apps are promising. That's pretty amazing Yeah, I mean AI has come a long way. Yeah, I remember those early chat bots Oh gosh, like back in the day. 

They were so they were terrible more frustrating than anything. So what changed like well The big thing is um generative artificial intelligence or what they call GAI GAI Yeah And this is the tech behind like all those really smart chat bots you see now The ones that can hold a conversation and even create, you know, different kinds of content. Yeah, so GAI has totally revolutionized what AI can do and now it's like, you know, right coming into the world of language learning Very cool in a big way. 

So these AI Oral tutoring apps that we're talking about. Yeah are basically powered by GAI Exactly, and there were a few popular ones mentioned in the study, right? Yes. So there's a Call Annie. 

Okay. Hi echo Ernie bot and five got it. Those are just a few Yeah And they're becoming popular because you have so much control like you can choose different scenarios to practice in Wow Like ordering food or asking for directions. 

That's pretty cool. You get real-time feedback, you know on your pronunciation And your grammar. Mm-hmm. 

You can learn at your own pace pick whatever topics you want, right? And you don't have a human tutor there like right breathing down your neck judging you. Yeah, no pressure That sounds almost too good to be true I know right but but this research is really looking at how these apps can impact anxiety Yeah, right exactly when it comes to language learning, yeah, they use this Okay, it's called control value theory to analyze these interviews control value theory Yeah, it's like this psychological theory that basically says that our emotions, okay You know, even anxiety are influenced by two things Okay, how much control we feel like we have right over a situation and how much we value the activity? Oh, that's interesting Yeah, so like if I'm feeling more in control and I actually think that what I'm doing is worthwhile Then I'm less likely to feel anxious. Exactly. 

You got it. Okay, and that's where these apps like they really yeah They're really great because they give the learners. Okay a lot of control They choose what they want to learn when they want to learn Yeah, how they want to learn and they make it more engaging more personalized and that you know Kind of boosts right how valuable they think it is. 

Yeah, and that reduces that fear of failure fear of failure Yeah, I can definitely see how this would be beneficial Especially yeah, you know for learners who have a hard time like speaking. Oh, absolutely in front of others huge Yeah, and the study kind of broke it down into the different stages of language learning Okay, like input processing and output interesting So with input which is like the listening part the apps use standard pronunciation, you know Repetition yeah, and even real-time translation, so it takes the pressure off of understanding every single word Wow So it's like having a safety net exactly especially for beginner Yeah, you're not gonna stress out right if you miss a word or two exactly and then for processing Which is you know when you're thinking about the language the apps can act as like these on-demand resources Oh, wow, they you know, they expand your vocabulary they give you context they answer your questions Interesting and that you know boosts your confidence, right and it reduces that feeling of being lost or overwhelmed So you're less likely to just freeze up right when you actually have to speak Exactly, that makes a lot of sense. And then we come to output which is like, okay the scariest part for a lot of learners Yeah, I can imagine but these apps they give you this judgment-free zone. 

Oh, that's nice to practice You can record yourself Get personalized feedback. You can track your progress Wow And one of the people that they interviewed actually said yeah AI can accompany me to practice no emotion But also very strong AI practice. That's a great quote. 

Yeah that really kind of sums it up Yeah, you know, it's like having a practice partner. Yeah, who's always available, right? Never gets tired of listening to you never gets tired and they don't judge you and no judgment. No judgment. 

It's amazing So what about like specific anxieties that these apps can help with? Yeah, the study found that they're really effective okay at tackling what they call communication anxiety and Situational anxiety. Could you maybe explain those a little bit more? Sure Yeah, so communication anxiety is basically the fear of interacting in the language, right? And you know these apps they have that responsive AI so it encourages you to keep talking Which is great for people who are more introverted. Oh, that's a good point. 

It's like having that conversation partner Yeah, who is just very patient right and supportive? Yes, and is always there always there to keep the conversation going to keep it going. Yeah, that's great And then what about situational anxiety? So that's like the fear of speaking up in specific situations like ordering food or giving Presentation or something so with these apps you can practice those situations. Oh, that's privately, you know Yeah, anytime any place without worrying about what other people think no judgment. 

No judgment. Exactly. That makes a lot of sense Yeah, but I'm curious like how does all of this research connect to? Something like the TOEFL. 

Oh That's a great question. You know the TOEFL speaking test. Yeah, I know a lot of our listeners are interested in that For sure and it's super relevant you know because When you think about the TOEFL speaking test people need clear pronunciation They need fluency, right? They need to be able to respond to the prompts like quickly and effectively Yeah, and there's all this pressure a lot of pressure. 

So all those anxieties that we've been talking about, right? They definitely come up in a high-stakes testing environment like that. Absolutely Yeah, so could these AI oral tutoring apps actually be helpful yeah for TOEFL prep as well They could be really helpful because you know You get that personalized practice you get the feedback and you have that judgment free environment and that could be really valuable for building Confidence and you know reducing test anxiety reducing that test anxiety. Yeah, and actually speaking of TOEFL prep Yeah, there's a great tool that a lot of your listeners are probably already familiar with. 

Yeah, it's called my speaking score Speaking score. Yeah, have you heard of it? I have I've heard great things about it Yeah, it's powered by this advanced AI technology called speech Raider Okay, and it's been used by over a hundred thousand students Wow. That's a lot of students Yeah, so can you tell us a little bit more about how it works from what I understand? my speaking score it basically Leverages AI to give you detailed feedback on things like your pronunciation Yeah, fluency vocabulary and grammar exactly it's analyzing your speech and then it pinpoints Like the areas where you need to improve exact just like those oral tutoring apps that we were talking about So it's almost like having a personalized AI coach. 

Yeah, that is guiding you through your TOEFL speaking prep it it's Amazing. That's pretty incredible. What's even more exciting is that yeah, this type of AI powered tool. 

Yeah is really Democratizing education it makes these, you know, these advanced learning resources accessible to anyone with an internet connection Right, regardless of where they live or their background. That's amazing. Yeah, it's really cool I mean to think about the potential of AI yeah to bridge those gaps and to create more Equitable opportunities. 

Yes for learners around the world. Absolutely. That's really incredible It is it's one of the most promising things about this technology and we're just scratching the surface of what's possible I believe it. 

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves Yeah, let's dive a little deeper into how these apps are addressing anxiety. Okay at each stage of language learning Yeah, let's break it down a bit more Yeah, and see how it connects back to the challenges of the TOEFL speaking test. Exactly. 

That's good to me. All right You know, it's really fascinating how this Research is like shedding light on the emotional side of language learning. Yeah, because Traditionally the focus has always been on memorization, you know, right drills and all that. 

Yeah, and that can be so Demotivating. Yeah and anxiety inducing and anxiety inducing. It's true I remember feeling so overwhelmed by grammar rules and like verb conjugations Yeah, it was like trying to learn to swim by just reading a textbook. 

Oh, yeah You need to actually get in the water practice, right? But that fear of making mistakes Yeah can be so paralyzing totally and that's where these AI apps. Yeah, really come in They create a safe space to practice right to experiment and to build confidence Without that judgment no judgment, which is so important. Yeah, and it's not just about feeling good Right the study actually found a connection between reduced anxiety and improved learning. 

Absolutely. Yeah, that's pretty amazing Yeah, when you're more relaxed when you're in control, you're more likely to absorb information. Yeah retain vocabulary Even improve your pronunciation. 

Wow. It's like this positive feedback loop. Yeah, I love that Less anxiety leads to better learning which leads to more confidence and even less anxiety. 

It just keeps going exactly Yeah, it keeps going. So I have to ask. Yeah, are we headed towards a world where AI tutors? completely replace Human language teachers, that's the big question, isn't it? It is it's kind of a scary thought to be honest Yeah, it is. 

I mean, I don't think AI is gonna completely replace human interaction. Okay, you know in language learning Yeah, but I think it's gonna play a bigger and bigger role Okay, especially when it comes to making personalized learning accessible to everyone That's a good point because not everyone has access to a great language teacher Right or the resources to travel and immerse themselves exact in a new culture So imagine a world where every student no matter where they live Yeah Or their economic background has access to this personalized AI tutor right that adapts to their learning style Provides feedback. Yeah and helps them overcome their individual challenge. 

It could be revolutionary It really could especially for underserved communities. Yeah, that's a really amazing thought Yeah, it's exciting to think about it is and you know, we were talking about the TOEFL earlier Yeah, could AI also like revolutionized test preparation? Absolutely. I mean think about AI powered tools that can analyze your strengths and weaknesses Mm-hmm, and then tell you where you need to practice more right and even like simulate real test-taking Environments to help you reduce anxiety right help you perform better Yeah, and that's exactly what my speaking score is doing for TOEFL speaking exactly. 

It's like having that AI coach In your pocket. Yeah guiding you through your prep helping you build that confidence and reduce that anxiety You need to succeed on test day. Yeah, and over a hundred thousand students are using it. 

I know it's amazing That's pretty amazing. Yeah, it shows that people are really starting to you know, embrace this technology Racist technology and it's a fantastic example of how AI is democratizing education You know, it's empowering people right to achieve their language learning goals. Yeah, and it's not just about language learning No, I mean think about personalized learning paths for like STEM fields, right? AI tools for developing critical thinking skills. 

Absolutely even systems that can identify students who might be struggling emotionally Wow And connect them with support that's incredible it is it's mind-blowing to think about how AI could personalize education Yeah to each individual's needs and potential. It's amazing. It really could unlock so many learning possibilities It could and what about lifelong learning? Oh, yeah I mean imagine having access to AI tools that help you learn new skills. 

Mm-hmm explore new subjects Yes, and stay curious lifelong learning. That's the key throughout your life. It is. 

Yeah, that's amazing Yeah, it's like having a personal learning companion Yeah by your side guiding you on this journey of discovery exactly. This deep dive has really opened my eyes Yeah to the power of AI and education It's transformative, isn't it? It really is. Yeah mine, too It is but we have to remember we're still in the early stages right of this, you know, this AI revolution Yeah, the possibilities are limitless. 

Yeah, but like with any powerful technology, right? There are gonna be challenges and concerns Yeah, I mean some people worry that AI could dehumanize education right or create this like one-size-fits-all approach to learning Yeah, those are valid concerns Yeah, they are. So how do we ensure that AI is used ethically, right? Effectively and that we don't lose sight of that human element.  

Yeah, that's the key Yeah, it's all about finding the right balance. Okay, we need to be mindful of potential biases, right? You know in the algorithms and make sure these systems are designed to be fair, right and Equitable for all learners everyone. Yeah. 

Yeah, and we need to make sure that AI is used to enhance human judgment Right and creativity not replace them not replace them. So it's not about AI versus humans No, it's about AI working with humans to create a better learning experience Yes, exactly a more effective fulfilling and fulfilling learning experience And we're already seeing examples of this collaboration, yeah, you know, oh, yeah, like what well There are AI powered tools that can help teachers identify students who are falling behind Oh, wow, so they can intervene early. Okay and provide that personalized support. 

That's amazing Yeah, it's about using AI to amplify human empathy and understanding. I love that Yeah, so it's about empowering teachers to do what they do best. Mm-hmm connect with students Yes, and create a really nurturing. 

Yes inspiring learning environment. Absolutely That's a key takeaway from today, you know AI has the potential to transform education, right? But it's up to us to use it responsibly ethically ethically Yeah, and with a focus on that human connection, I like that human connection. Yeah, and speaking of human connection I'm curious to hear your thoughts on something we talked about earlier. 

Okay, that whole idea of AI and lifelong learning Yeah, you know What do you envision for the future of learning? Beyond the traditional classroom. That's funny because I was just thinking about something you said earlier. Oh, yeah About how AI can really personalize learning, right? But what about the importance of like? Yeah human connection in all of this. 

Yeah, I mean language is about communication, right? Literally, it's about sharing ideas and experiences with other people. You're absolutely right. It's a crucial point AI can provide support and personalization, right? But it can't replace that like right richness and complexity of human interaction Yeah, you know language learning is about connecting with other cultures. 

Yeah understanding different perspectives right building relationships Exactly. We don't want to lose sight of the joy right of those real conversations Yeah, even the ones where we stumble and make mistakes totally I think those are the moments that really make language learning come alive. I agree if those moments of shared laughter Yeah, those aha moments when you finally understand something. 

Yes, there's deep conversations that challenge you and broaden your horizons Right. Those are the things that make language learning so meaningful meaningful. Yeah. 

Yeah. So where does AI fit into all of this? Well, I think there's a really nice synergy between the two. Okay, AI can be like a bridge Okay, that helps us overcome those initial hurdles like the fear the self-doubt, right? And then we can step into those authentic human interactions right with more confidence more fluency. 

Yeah Yeah, I love that analogy AI is the bridge to human connection It's about using AI to empower ourselves to break down those barriers and open ourselves up to the richness of Cross-cultural communication. I love it. It's not an either Situation right? It's about Embracing the best of both worlds the best of both worlds. 

You got it Yeah, the personalized support the efficiency of AI and the depth and the richness of human connection So for our listeners who are on their own language learning journeys, yeah What advice would you give them? I would say explore experiment. Okay, there are so many incredible AI Powered tools out there like my speaking score that we talked about that can help you practice get feedback build your confidence, right? But don't forget to like step outside of that digital world and find opportunities to actually interact Like joining a conversation group. Yes attending cultural events Connecting with native speakers online. 

Absolutely even travel. Yeah to a country where the language is spoken Yeah, the possibilities are endless they are and it's a journey not a destination exactly got to embrace the challenges Yeah, celebrate those small victories celebrate them and never lose sight of the joy joy of connecting with others Yes to the power of language. Well said this has been a really insightful deep dive It has we've covered so much so much from the specific ways AI is addressing language learning anxiety Yeah to the broader implications for education and the importance of human connection human connection is key It is key. 

I feel like we've only scratched the surface. I know me too. We've only touched on a few Yeah, the AI powered tools that are out there. 

So I encourage everyone to keep exploring Yeah, stay curious about how this technology is evolving, right? Because it's changing so fast it is and To wrap things up. I want to leave our listeners with one final thought. Okay? You know as we navigate this world of AI powered learning It's important to remember that technology is a tool it is it's up to us to use it wisely wisely Ethically, yes, and with a focus on fostering Yeah, human connection human connection and understanding beautifully said and remember learning should be a joyful Experience an empowering experience. 

Absolutely. So go out there embrace the power of language Yes, and connect with the world connect with the world in meaningful ways Thanks for joining us on this deep dive. It was my pleasure. 

We'll see you next time.