The Effectiveness of AI-Based Tutors in Teaching Reading Comprehension: A Case Study Using Duolingo for EFL College Students in Iraq
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: The present research aimed at investigating the efficacy of AI-based tutors on the improvement of reading comprehension skills by Iraqi EFL college students using Duolingo as a digital tool for learning. Both the research and the participants were from the Department of English, College of Basic Education, University of Maysan, during the academic year 2024-2025. In total, 60 second-year undergraduate students were involved in the study, split into experimentation (n = 30) where students use Duolingo for reading exercises while control (n = 30) still continue in traditional classroom instructions. In assessing the reading comprehension level of students, a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests was employed. The AI-based adaptive learning system in Duolingo includes individualized exercise, real-time feedback, and game-based reading tasks. The quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS 26, with paired sample t-tests and ANOVA to measure significant differences in students' performance. Furthermore complemented by qualitative dimension, that is, semi-structured interviews with five instructors from the English department to elicit their views regarding an AI-assisted reading instruction. Experimental findings indicate that statistically significant improvements in reading speed, vocabulary retention, and inferencing skills were achieved by the experimental group relative to the control group (p
Author: Maysloon Dawood Salman
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408317322