Effects of visual reality on improving students' English presentation performances and anxiety level: a quasi-experimental study
This study aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) training on English as a foreign language (EFL) students' presentation performance and learning perceptions. Many EFL students experience anxiety when presenting in English. VR technology, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) feedback, offers a potential solution by providing an authentic practice environment. A quasi-experimental design will be employed to compare traditional presentation training with VR-based training. Approximately 120 first-year university students will participate in the study for 12 weeks, with half receiving VR training and half receiving traditional training. Data collection will include pre-and post-tests to assess English-speaking performance and anxiety levels, as well as classroom observations and focus group interviews. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of VR for improving English presentation skills and reducing anxiety, informing curriculum development, teacher training, and the creation of an online course incorporating VR and AI. The results will contribute to the growing body of research on the use of VR in language education and presentation training, with applications in the course development in the course ENG 1001 and ENG 1002, as well as a new online training course at CUHK(SZ).