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Findings indicate AI facilitates interactive, personalized, and gamified learning, strengthening engagement, motivation, and English proficiency, while highlighting needs for technological content and pedagogical knowledge. 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(2025) . Investigating the use of AI tools in English language learning: A phenomenological approach. Contemporary Educational Technology, 17(2), ep578. [https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/16188](https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/16188)  \nARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT  \n\n| Received: 24 Sep 2024\u003Cbr>Accepted: 3 Mar 2025\u003Cbr>INTRODUCTION | This investigation utilized a phenomenological approach to investigate the experience of English language educators in employing artificial intelligence (AI) tools into English language learning. The study used purposive sampling and 20 participants were interviewed. The data analysis was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, particularly microsystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. The findings demonstrated that the AI tools enable interactive, personalized, and gamified learning experiences that enhance student engagement, motivation, and English proficiency. The study also emphasized the importance of technological content knowledge and technological pedagogical knowledge in improving instructional methodologies. Challenges, including AI-related distractions and reduced direct interaction between educatorsand students, were identified, necessitating a balanced integration of these tools despite the inherent advantages. Furthermore, the research underscored the significance of institutional support, which encompasses ongoing professional development and technical assistance, to facilitate the successful integration of AI into education.\u003Cbr>Keywords: artificial intelligence, English language learning, phenomenology, qualitative study, technology |\n| --- | --- |\n\nArtificial intelligence (AI) technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and this has profound effects on research, education, politics, the economy, and technology (Luan et al., 2020). According to Celik et al. (2022), AI technologies are becoming more and more common in education and have the potential to improve teachers’ instructional methods significantly. Molenaar (2022) claims that incorporating AI technology into the classroom improves instructors’ capacity to co-manage a challenging learning environment. AI technologies improve education by offering advantages including real-time feedback and adaptable, customized learning programs (Shahzad et al., 2024) . They also make teaching more effective, providing benefits that are difficult to obtain with conventional techniques (Akgun & Greenhow, 2022; Kabudiet al., 2021; Yang et al., 2022) . A growing number of educators across all disciplines are incorporating these resources into their lessons (Chen et al., 2022) . Huang et al. (2023) claim that incorporating AI into educational models, especially for English language learning, represents a revolutionary change that has fundamentally altered teaching methodologies and learning environments, improving student outcomes, academic performance, and attitudes toward learning in the post-pandemic era. Research has shown how AI can enhance the effectiveness of teaching English. These benefits include machine translation, intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), and automated writing evaluation (Annamalai, 2024; Hockly & Nicky, 2023; Liang et al., 2023; Wei, 2024) .  \nAI can assist students to enhance their English language skills, which will enhance their motivation to learn the language and their proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, read","cbCaigmUbDzJNJSM","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaigmUbDzJNJSM","pdf",722757,"English","# Introduction\n## Research focus and ecological theory framework\n## Findings and implications for AI integration","[{\"question\":\"What research approach and analysis framework does the study use?\",\"answer\":\"The study uses a phenomenological approach. Data analysis is guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, emphasizing microsystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels.\"},{\"question\":\"How do AI tools affect English language learning outcomes according to the findings?\",\"answer\":\"AI tools enable interactive, personalized, and gamified learning experiences that enhance student engagement, motivation, and English proficiency.\"},{\"question\":\"What challenges arise when educators integrate AI into language learning?\",\"answer\":\"The study identifies AI-related distractions and reduced direct interaction between educators and students. It also stresses the need for balanced integration despite the advantages.\"}]","Investigating the use of AI tools in English language learning - A phenomenological approach | PDF",1792090714]