Anxiety to Fluency: Examining ChatGPT’s Potential in Reducing Language Anxiety Among University Students in Malaysia
List of Authors
Abbegail Johnson Gondikit, Bogeshsoorya Muniandy, Divia Shree Krishnan, Joellen Finella Johnson, Kaith Princess Reyes Jettle, Nadya Saveena Mogan, Nur Najwa Hana Jaffari Din, Sarfraz Aslam
Keyword
language anxiety, ChatGPT in education, AI-assisted language learning, technology in higher education
Abstract
Language anxiety has become an issue affecting the communication skills of a lot of Malaysian university students. This study aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which promotes comprehensive and fair learning opportunities and highlights the persistent issue of language anxiety despite the educators having already used several instructional techniques to solve this problem. With ChatGPT being so popular, there is new interest in how technology can help people acquire language. However, most of the research only looks at how AI enhances language proficiency but not how it impacts students’ emotional reaction as well as their psychological barriers. Moreover, the limited studies that have been done on whether the use of AI-based learning, particularly in Malaysia, will help to build students’ confidence and proficiency in the long term is also suggested for further study. Hence, this gap highlights the need to explore how ChatGPT can reduce language anxiety and improve students’ ability to communicate in English. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of ChatGPT in helping university students overcome language anxiety through a quantitative approach. Relatively, a survey will be conducted to measure the student’s level of anxiety before and after using ChatGPT, and statistical analysis will be used to determine the effects of ChatGPT on their confidence and fluency. This can serve as empirical evidence on whether AI can create a secure and stress-free learning environment that can enhance students’ confidence to speak English effectively. So, the results of this study will contribute to improving English learning for educators, policymakers, and technology developers. As AI plays a bigger role in education, it is crucial to be aware of how AI can facilitate students’ learning of language better than just that and will help students feel more confident in using the English language. Overall, this study adds to an attempt to make language learning more effective and accessible to university students in Malaysia.