Exploring EFL learners' attitudes towards artificial intelligence: Benefits, risks and use in language learning

Authors : Hacer Kaçar

Pages : 103-114

Doi:10.21764/maeuefd.1724993

View : 170 | Download : 544

Publication Date : 2025-10-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Educational landscapes are continuously evolving due to artificial intelligence (AI), offering new opportunities for both teachers and students. The focus of this study is to explore the attitudes of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners at the School of Foreign Languages towards artificial intelligence. To provide an extensive overview of the students\\\' views regarding AI, a structured survey and semi-structured interviews were employed as part of an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach. Convenient sampling was adopted to select participants (N = 134). According to the quantitative findings, students mostly had positive views on agreeing or strongly agreeing with the possible benefits of AI, as well as being open to using its features in innovative and educational settings. Meanwhile, a significant number of participants expressed their concerns about risks arising from AI, including reduced human contact and AI taking over human roles. These contradictory attitudes revealed a complex perspective, showing that students were enthusiastic about using AI, but also hesitant about the consequences. These results were further supported by qualitative data demonstrating that although students valued the practicality and creative opportunities of AI, they were also worried about ethical and addiction related issues. The results imply that a careful and ethical integration of AI tools into language instruction is necessary. In order to prepare learners to use AI ethically and enhance their language learning experiences, both educators and practitioners need to foster a balance between promoting digital innovation and critical awareness.
Keywords : Yapay zeka, İngilizce öğrenenler, tutumlar, karma yöntem araştırması

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