Using AI to improve English language skills in health students
Jane S. Frost, Paul Glew, Irmina Nahon, Thomas Bevitt, Mary Bushell, John Taylor · Collegian Journal of the Royal College of Nursing Australia · 2025
Background Effective communication skills are essential for patient-centred care and safety. Teaching verbal communication can be difficult and expensive. Complexity can increase when teaching students with English as an additional language (EAAL). The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing verbal communication is an innovative solution to a contemporary issue. Sample Six undergraduate health students from three disciplines who self-identified EAAL. Method A pre–post intervention study was conducted. The Coherence, Lexical, Grammatical, Pronunciation (CLIP) assessment was conducted pre- and post-intervention. Students completed a debrief to explore their perceptions of the intervention. Results Improved English language was noted in two criteria of the CLIP. Students reported that the intervention assisted their conversational skills; however, its effectiveness was limited as it was not human. Conclusion AI software may support students in developing conversational English skills; however, it should be used to complement, not replace, traditional teaching methods. Briefing and Debriefing should be facilitated to optimise student learning.