INNOVATION IN AI-BASED SPEAKING INSTRUCTION THROUGH DIGITAL LITERACY SCAFFOLDING FOR STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE IN THE SOCIETY 5.0 ERA

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed higher
education learning systems, particularly speaking instruction in the Society 5.0 era.
University students still face challenges in academic communication, including low
speaking confidence, weak argumentation skills, limited critical thinking, and
inadequate digital literacy. This study aimed to describe the implementation of AIbased speaking instruction through digital literacy scaffolding to strengthen students’
academic communication competence in the Indonesian Language and Literature
Education Program at IKIP PGRI Bojonegoro. This research employed a descriptive
qualitative approach involving 37 students. Data were collected through participatory
observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and analysis of students’ speaking
performances. Data were analyzed interactively through data reduction, data display,
and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that AI integration created a more
communicative, adaptive, and reflective learning environment. Students used AI to
develop presentation frameworks, improve academic arguments, conduct speaking
simulations, and evaluate speaking performances independently. The implementation
of digital literacy scaffolding also encouraged students to utilize digital technology
critically and ethically. The results demonstrated improvements in several aspects of
academic communication competence, including speaking confidence (54%–86%),
academic argumentation (49%–83%), presentation fluency (57%–88%), critical
thinking (51%–81%), and academic digital literacy (46%–90%). Furthermore, AIassisted learning enabled lecturers to provide more adaptive and efficient feedback
through technology-supported evaluation. This study concludes that AI-based
speaking instruction through digital literacy scaffolding effectively strengthens
students’ academic communication competence and digital literacy in higher
education learning transformation.