Improving L2 Pronunciation with AI-Enhanced Narratives: Investigating Unfamiliar Arabic Contrastive Sounds
Mohamed Elsayd El-Zeiny, Ibtehal Mahmoud Aburezeq, Suad Abdalkareem Alwaely, Mohammad Hussein Faqeeh, Nagwa Ibrahim Abdo, Asmaa Almahdawi, Albandari Alahbabi · 2024
The study investigated the efficacy of integrating AI-enhanced narratives in enhancing the pronunciation of unfamiliar Arabic contrastive sounds among non-native speakers. It focused on sounds like /0/ and /0/, which pose challenges for learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Mansoura University, Egypt, during the 2023–2024 academic year, involving 44 non-native Arabic learners divided into experimental and control groups. Results showed significant improvements in the experimental group's pronunciation competence compared to the control group, as evidenced by higher scores in identification, production, and combined pronunciation. Statistical analysis indicated highly significant differences between the groups (p < 0.01), with an effect size of approximately 0.56. These findings underscore the effectiveness of AI-enhanced narratives in improving pronunciation among non-native speakers, emphasizing its value in language learning.