The Role of GenAI in EFL: Impact on Learning Motivation and Outcome

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of GenAI (generative artificial intelligence) in EFL. Specifically, this paper focuses on its impact on learning motivation and outcome. With a total of five hundred and sixty-six students in four Chinese university, the questionnaire was shown to be reliable and valid. Research has revealed that GenAI has a strong effect on EFL learning motivation and outcomes in China; that GenAI plays an important role in learners’ personalized learning, learning interest and motivation through timely feedback and strong interactivity; and GenAI can enhance learner’s English listening and speaking skills, academic writing skills, vocabulary expansion and understanding of English-speaking countries' culture. The paper also revealed that personal factors such as grade, English proficiency and language environment in which students grew up have a strong effect on English learning outcomes. The research findings widens our understanding of Chinese student’s use of artificial intelligence in second language acquisition, and also reflect Chinese student’s AI anxiety in the era of information technology.