Utilizing ELSA Speak and Busuu apps to enhance English for professional purposes among Indian students: An Education 4.0 approach

Abstract

In our modern, technology-driven, and interconnected world, providing students with strong English communication skills is essential to prepare them for the future workforce. Education 4.0 refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality, and the Internet of Things, to enhance and personalize learning experiences in contemporary educational settings. Education 4.0 integrates these technologies to create personalized and immersive learning experiences that cater to individual needs, emphasizing critical 21st-century skills. Therefore, this study aimed to enhance professional English communication among students using the Education 4.0 applications ELSA Speak and Busuu. It employed a novel approach based on the substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition (SAMR) model to enhance communication effectively. The participants, selected through a stratified random sampling technique from the Virudunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India, included final year students (N = 100) from the arts, and science, and engineering disciplines, reflecting India’s multilingual society and numerous regional languages. After a pilot study, a pre-test using a questionnaire was administered, followed by a 4-week intervention utilizing the ELSA Speak and Busuu apps, and a post-test using another questionnaire. Data analysis included paired-sample t-tests and independent sample t-tests. The results revealed a significant improvement in the participants’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills before and after the intervention. Future recommendations include further explorations of Education 4.0 tools and techniques, and longitudinal studies to assess their sustained impact.