DefinePK

Abstract

The study aims to highlight the challenges and issues faced by the students in the ESL domain towards AI-powered language learning tools within its emerging trends by viewing the Pakistani context. AI-powered language learning tool applications have a significant potential to facilitate second language learning, but certain socio-cultural and economic issues constrain their effectiveness. There are technological and educational handicaps that restrict the students from being facilitated by this innovative opportunity. The study is based on a mixed-method approach, and it takes a purposive, convenient sample of 200 hundred rural university students across the country. The data is collected by administering a questionnaire on 5-point Likert scale and semi-structured interviews. The results explain limited digital literacy, inadequate access towards technological barriers, economic frustrations, social limitations and anxiety. Further, it brings to light the needs that created a gap between AI language learning platforms and students’ academic output in the ESL domain by focusing on under-resourced rural vicinity. It is also obtained from results that AI-powered tools can illuminate ESL learning by supplementing traditional methods, but they are a failure due to the reasons nuanced and psychological needs of ESL learners are not fulfilled in the Pakistani context compared to developed nations like China, the USA and Russia. Finally, the study concludes to be taken seriously view by policymakers, linguists and stakeholders to ensure AI-powered facilities access to students of rural vicinity in Pakistan, and it may also ensure bridging the gap between global needs and students' capabilities.