The Challenges of Soft Skills Training in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Résumé

Abstract

Over the last decade, Soft Skills have gained momentum in the academic sphere due to its high role in bridging the gap between the graduates’ competencies and the demands of the marketplace. Hence, it is important for the learning environment to be a place that promotes the necessary skills and competencies among students to meet the demands of the job market. However, the teaching of soft skills has always been a challenging endeavour for teachers, precisely when it comes to the teaching methods, classroom activities, and the fulfilment of learner needs. Traditional methods of teaching soft skills have displayed a number of drawbacks particularly in terms of authenticity of classroom material and efficacy of the teaching method. Yet, in the current technological revolution coming with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (IA) various and unique solutions have been presented by the AI, particularly about pedagogy, mode of inclusion, and the authenticity of classroom material. Hence, it becomes essential to explore how AI is revolutionising Soft Skills training by examining its integration in the teaching and learning practices, especially that Soft Skills are more subjective and require more personalised teaching approaches. The present research examines the integration of AI in the teaching and learning of soft skills through ESP courses, namely Business English and English for Computing. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach to data collection, using questionnaires and classroom observation. The study concludes that AI not only revolutionises the traditional methods but it transcends them making soft skills learning more practical and more powerful than before through authentic and interactive scenarios generated by AI. It provides personalized and interactive activities, depending on the needs of learners which allows rapid and effective skills development and mastery. Most students reported positive experiences with these AI platforms focussing on the added value of AI with regard to the learning and mastery of different soft skills. The study reveals important progress in students’ engagement and performance through AI generated course material and classroom activities. AI powered platforms show their ability to revolutionize the teaching and learning practices of soft skills. AI has succeeded to a considerable extent to compensate the defects of traditional methods, particularly in its ability to generate personalized course content and classroom activities which effectively and efficiently respond to learners needs. Moreover, characteristics such as personalization, authenticity, instant feedback and the ability to meet learners needs, have qualified the use of AI powered platforms in soft skills training to be a promising approach in the academic sphere.

Key Words: Soft Skills, ESP Courses, Artificial Intelligence, Pedagogy, Higher Education, Learner needs