Intelligent speaker is watching you: alleviation of L2 learners’ social anxiety

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) speaker as a device used for interactions in a foreign language (L2), and a tracking eye installed on the speaker to reduce L2 anxiety. L2 anxiety is an urgent issue since the anxiety derived from a fear of being judged, being negatively evaluated, or being rejected by others is hindering active L2 use. Our study hypothesizes that the question–response functions of the AI speakers would encourage L2 learners to input and output a considerable amount of L2 without the feeling of anxiety toward the speakers. We then asked eight Japanese undergraduates to conduct daily L2 interactions with the speakers in their homes for one month. The findings from pre-and post-listening tests, questionnaire surveys, and interviews revealed that intelligence speakers – Google Home (GH) – could enhance the learners’ L2 motivations, gave them positive impressions, and helped eradicate their anxiety toward L2 interactions.