{"title":"Enhancing the emotional aspects of language education through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI): A qualitative investigation","authors":"Lucas Kohnke , Benjamin Luke Moorhouse","doi":"10.1016/j.chb.2025.108600","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This qualitative study investigates the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on the emotional engagement, motivation and well-being of first-year university students in Hong Kong. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 students and three instructors to explore their perceptions of how GenAI influences the affective dimensions of language learning. The data were analyzed using manual coding and inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes. The findings revealed that GenAI generally enhances students’ motivation, reduces anxiety and stress, and fosters an emotionally supportive learning environment. However, challenges related to cultural context and technical issues were also identified. The study highlights the pivotal role of instructors in shaping students’ experiences with GenAI and underscores the need for ongoing support and professional development. It also demonstrates the importance of cultural sensitivity, technological infrastructure and balance. The study is valuable for those who aim to harness GenAI while preserving the irreplaceable human elements of teaching. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on integrating AI in language learning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48471,"journal":{"name":"Computers in Human Behavior","volume":"167 ","pages":"Article 108600"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Computers in Human Behavior","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563225000470","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This qualitative study investigates the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on the emotional engagement, motivation and well-being of first-year university students in Hong Kong. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 students and three instructors to explore their perceptions of how GenAI influences the affective dimensions of language learning. The data were analyzed using manual coding and inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes. The findings revealed that GenAI generally enhances students’ motivation, reduces anxiety and stress, and fosters an emotionally supportive learning environment. However, challenges related to cultural context and technical issues were also identified. The study highlights the pivotal role of instructors in shaping students’ experiences with GenAI and underscores the need for ongoing support and professional development. It also demonstrates the importance of cultural sensitivity, technological infrastructure and balance. The study is valuable for those who aim to harness GenAI while preserving the irreplaceable human elements of teaching. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on integrating AI in language learning.
期刊介绍:
Computers in Human Behavior is a scholarly journal that explores the psychological aspects of computer use. It covers original theoretical works, research reports, literature reviews, and software and book reviews. The journal examines both the use of computers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, and the psychological impact of computer use on individuals, groups, and society. Articles discuss topics such as professional practice, training, research, human development, learning, cognition, personality, and social interactions. It focuses on human interactions with computers, considering the computer as a medium through which human behaviors are shaped and expressed. Professionals interested in the psychological aspects of computer use will find this journal valuable, even with limited knowledge of computers.