AI meets language learning：Dr Bin Zou’s paper in XJTLU ESI Top 1%

A research paper co-authored by Dr Bin Zou, Senior Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Linguistics at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, XJTLU, has been selected in the March 2025 XJTLU ESI High-Impact Publications List, ranking among the top 1% most cited papers within the university.

 
Dr Bin Zou, Senior Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Linguistics, HSS

The paper, titled “English speaking with artificial intelligence (AI): The roles of enjoyment, willingness to communicate with AI, and innovativeness”, was published in Computers in Human Behavior (Impact Factor: 9.9), a leading international journal in the field of behavioural sciences. As one of the key outputs of the “EAP Talk” project, the study highlights the academic value and cross-disciplinary contributions of AI-powered language learning.

This study is the first to integrate four theoretical frameworks—Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM), willingness, enjoyment, and innovativeness—to systematically examine students’ experiences of practising spoken English via the AI platform “EAP Talk.” Drawing on empirical data from four universities in China, it explores learners’ feedback and its influence on their intention for continued use. The research offers meaningful insights with practical implications for the fields of AI development and second language education.

Developed independently by Dr Zou’s team, “EAP Talk” is a free AI learning platform designed to improve students’ IELTS performance and academic English proficiency. Since its launch in 2019, the platform has incorporated generative AI and virtual human technologies to enable real-time interaction, intelligent feedback, and detailed performance summaries. It has been widely adopted in teaching at XJTLU’s English Language Center and some universities in China, reaching a total user base of 16,000.

“EAP Talk” Platform

Centred around the EAP Talk initiative, Dr Zou’s research team has published dozens of articles in SSCI-indexed journals, collaborators include faculty from XJTLU and other universities, as well as students from HSS, XJTLU. Meanwhile, more than 10 undergraduate students from the Department of Applied Linguistics in HSS who participated in the project stood out in their research training, not only becoming co-authors of several SSCI journal articles, but also successfully received Master or PhD offers from leading global institutions including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and Columbia. In terms of teaching application, EAP Talk has also attracted attention from official IELTS training institutions in China.

According to the March 2025 update of the Essential Science Indicators (ESI), XJTLU continues to rank among the global top 1% in the field of social sciences. Compiled by Clarivate, ESI is a globally recognised benchmark for evaluating academic performance and impact. The XJTLU ESI High-Impact Publications List is based on data from the Web of Science Core Collection, identifying highly cited and hot papers that reflect research frontiers and emerging trends across disciplines.

Reporter: Yiyi Gu & Jingling Wen