Robot-Assisted Motor Skill Language Learning: Motivation, Enjoyment and Grit Pathways to EFL Learners' Language Achievement

Abstract

Due to advancements in AI-based tools, robots have entered colleges and universities in the past few years. This trend towards robots has also led to the emergence of Educational Robots (ER) as a distinct field. The present research investigates the effect of NAO, a type of motor-skill robot, on students' achievement and considers the mediating role of mental elements, such as motivation, enjoyment and grit, in this process. 560 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners participated, and the researcher administered the three questionnaires and the Preliminary English Test (PET) as a Language Achievement Test. The research used a pretest-posttest design, and learners were assigned to two groups: the control and the experimental (EXP). The first group was taught using traditional methods, such as PowerPoint presentations; however, the second group was taught using robots. Those sessions were designed to foster an engaging, positive academic experience by providing quick feedback, support and motivational incentives. The results indicated that the improvement in language achievement of the EXP group was greater, and they also showed higher levels of motivation, grit and enjoyment. The results showed a significant mediation effect. Among the mediators, enjoyment was the strongest, uniquely accounting for 77.8% of the indirect effect and 63.0% of the total effect. Motivation and grit were also significant mediators, accounting for 12.1% and 10.1% of the indirect effect, respectively. These results indicate that all three mediators fully mediated the effect of robots on language achievement. The results indicate that robots can be incorporated into EFL teaching to create settings that foster learning, thereby encouraging educational success. By leveraging robots' ability to boost students' motivation, enjoyment and grit, teachers can build more effective EFL classrooms, promising a pathway to boost EFL learners' academic achievement.