A Mixed Methods Study of Teachers' Experiences with Gencraft AI Visual Content Generator to Boost EFL Learners’ Vocabulary

Subject Areas : English Language Teaching

Mohammad Ebrahim Naseri ¹ , Samaneh Barkhordar ² , Mahdi Ghaseminezhad ³

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Received: 2025-06-03 Accepted : 2025-09-06 Published : 2025-09-14

Keywords: ESL vocabulary instruction, AI-generated visual content, educational technology integration, mixed methods research, junior language learners, teacher experience,

Abstract :

Traditional methods have often failed to enhance vocabulary instruction to junior EFL learners. While there is considerable research on vocabulary instruction and the integration of educational technology, there is limited research on the implementation of AI-generated visual content in EFL teaching. As technology plays an increasingly significant role in modern education, this study explores innovative methods leveraging AI technology to improve vocabulary teaching.  This 16-week investigation involved eight experienced EFL teachers, selected purposively based on their teaching experience and exposure to pre-intermediate students, along with their pre-intermediate students, examining how the teachers utilized the tool, the challenges they encountered, and the outcomes of its implementation. Pre- and post-implementation surveys, teacher interviews, and classroom observations were employed to collect data. Results showed improvement across the board, with the highest improvements in creative expression and vocabulary retention one week after learning. A significant increase in student engagement was also reported, and teachers stated that lesson planning became faster and more efficient. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis showed significant improvements in vocabulary learning and student engagement. The quantitative results revealed large improvements, while qualitative findings highlighted increased student participation, motivation, and creativity. These results suggest that AI-generated visual content, when implemented effectively, can enhance vocabulary retention and foster a more interactive and engaging EFL classroom. This research contributes to the emerging understanding of AI's application in language teaching and provides practical guidance on implementing AI tools in EFL vocabulary instruction.

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