Exploring EFL learners’ behavioral intention toward AI-based conversational tools through the lens of UTAUT and Self-Determination Theory
Li Pan, Qihuan Chen · 2026
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Description
Li Pan and Qihuan Chen survey why Chinese English learners intend to use AI chat tools for speaking practice in a 2026 study. Their respondents were 568 undergraduate English majors, mostly light, early users of such tools. Two motivation frameworks structured the questions: one on technology acceptance, one on inner drive. Beliefs about usefulness, enjoyment, and ease carried the most weight.
Expecting the tools to boost performance mattered most, with fun and low effort close behind. Social pressure and support conditions played weaker roles. Feelings of autonomy and competence fed intention through inner motivation, while feeling connected to others did not. The authors advise teachers to design purposeful speaking tasks with visible progress, and builders to keep tools useful and pleasant.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Li Pan, Qihuan Chen |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 54865 |
| LICENSE | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |