My Doctoral Journey – Şule Çınar Yağcı

The doctoral process is sometimes challenging and at other times filled with discoveries, making it an instructive journey. In my own doctoral path, I aim to investigate the effects of materials enhanced with generative artificial intelligence and supported by augmented reality to improve students’ French listening skills. I am examining how new technologies, such as augmented reality and generative AI, can transform the language learning process. Discovering how these new tools can make language education more interactive and engaging provides significant motivation throughout my research.

Like every doctoral student, I have encountered difficulties along the way. Whether it was developing scales, analyzing data, facing unexpected results, or reconstructing the theoretical framework, I learned to be more patient and solution-oriented at every stage. In fact, these challenges have played an important role in my academic progress. At the same time, this process has led to deep and meaningful transformations in my personal development. Each obstacle has granted me a new perspective, one that guides me in developing innovative solutions in language education. Moreover, one of the primary sources of motivation on this journey is my goal of creating a solution that benefits society—particularly within the realm of foreign language education, and more specifically, French education. Above all, the idea of offering more accessible and effective learning experiences by exploring both the benefits and potential downsides of generative AI in foreign language education inspires me.

The French listening materials I developed during my doctoral process—enriched with generative AI and supported by augmented reality—are designed to enhance students’ listening skills in French. These materials are intended not only to support academic success but also to maintain students’ interest and improve their long-term retention. In this regard, it is crucial for me to ensure that students use technology as an effective learning tool while strengthening their language skills. I view technology not as an end in itself in education, but merely as a tool—a bridge that helps students acquire the skills they need in real life. I believe that my work will make language learning both enjoyable and lasting, while also fostering the development of digital literacy and AI literacy skills.I am convinced that my doctoral education will not only be a personal achievement but will also lead to projects that benefit society. Science is a cumulative process, and addressing the gaps in existing research is possible by producing new studies as part of that process. I see this work as not only an academic investigation but also as a perspective on how foreign language education might evolve in the future. My belief that foreign language education will be shaped by these innovative approaches strengthens my commitment to the research process. I am confident that integrating technology into language learning can keep students motivated and help them retain what they learn over the long term. Ultimately, I trust that my work—by offering a new perspective on technology in education—will inspire future educational models and reinforce the foundations of education for years to come.

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