Empowering stuttering female English learners: AI vs. human-AI hybrid tutoring for alleviating social anxiety

• The authors did not receive support from any organisation for the submitted work. • On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest. • The data supporting the findings of this study are not publicly accessible due to privacy concerns. However, these data can be made available upon reasonable request from the authors, following the removal of any sensitive information to protect participants' privacy. This study compared the effects of AI and human-AI hybrid tutoring on stuttering severity (i.e., frequency and duration of stuttered syllables) and social anxiety symptoms (i.e., fear of negative evaluation, avoidance behavior, and physiological symptoms) of female English learners. Besides, the participants' perceptions regarding the implemented approaches were explored. First, a quasi-experimental study was conducted for 92 stuttering female English learners with social anxiety to compare the effects of interventions using the Computerized Scoring of Stuttering Severity and Social Phobia Inventory. Then, focus group interviews were conducted with 24 participants to gain insights into the results. The findings revealed that AI tutoring significantly enhanced conditions of stuttering and social anxiety compared to insignificant effects of human-AI hybrid tutoring due to the potential advantages of AI in maintaining confidentiality, encouraging risk-taking, providing non-judgmental feedback, and offering unbiased interpretations. This study benefits inclusive language education, therapeutic pedagogy, intelligent tutoring systems, and educational psychology.