The Impact of Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Mind Mapping on Second Language Learners’ Listening Comprehension: Perspectives From Macau

AI-enhanced mind mapping has emerged as a vital tool for foreign language educators and learners, which facilitates deep learning and creative thinking through hierarchical and categorical organization of ideas. Despite its motivational potential, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness, particularly in listening comprehension. To address this, our study aims to investigate the impact of AI-enhanced mind mapping on college students’ English listening comprehension and their perceptions. Participants included 41 first-year English learners at a pre-intermediate English level from a university in Macau. During a 10-week listening teaching period, they were assigned to use Mapify to generate mind maps for understanding TED videos in listening lessons. Pre- and post-English listening tests and reflection journals were conducted to collect data. The results demonstrated that participants displayed statistically significant improvements in listening comprehension, as the post-test score (M = 83.79) was significantly higher than the pre-test score (M = 70.60, p < .01). This exploratory study also found that learners generally held positive attitudes and perspectives toward AI mind mapping. This approach could foster their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral engagement. These findings provide empirical support for integrating AI mind mapping tools in the English as a foreign language (EFL) listening classroom environment.