Exploring AI-Supported Tools and Self-Regulated Learning Strategies for Extending EFL Students’ Attention Span

This study aims to reveal the role of some learning strategies used by students to increase their attention span when learning the English language, as a short attention span leads to distraction. The significance of this study is to shed the light on the most effective attention span strategies that can help the English language learners to prolong their concentration in learning English language. The participants were male and female students from Jadara University in Jordan and the University of Anbar in Iraq. The researchers used semi-structured interviews to collect the study data. The unit of analysis was the sentences. The results of the study revealed that students from the English language departments, who are expected to graduate, use the following strategies: Notebooks Strategy, Integrating Technology Strategy, Pomodoro Technique Strategies, Time Blocking Strategy, 90-minute focus sessions, the 1-3-5 Rule Strategy, 52/17 Method Strategy, Joining study groups Strategy, Regular Review Strategy, The Eisenhower Matrix Template Strategy, One-Thing Strategy, Flashcards Strategy. In addition, there is no difference between the students who used AI tools and self-learning strategies to increase their attention span. In conclusion, these learning strategies have helped learners to improve their attention span in learning English as a foreign language. Most of these strategies focus on organizing time and enhancing internal and external motivation, and they are effective in extending students’ attention spans. Also, students use the same strategies whether they engage in self-learning or use AI tools that help them focus and increase their attention span.