Assessment and Practice in Educational Sciences 3092-717X 3 Serial Number 11 2025 09 01 On the effectiveness of Etymological Elaboration mitigated with AI-based instruction on idiom learning of EFL students On the effectiveness of Etymological Elaboration mitigated with AI-based instruction on idiom learning of EFL students 1 11 10.61838/japes.3.3.4 EN Journal Article 2025 04 09 <p>This study investigated the effectiveness of etymological elaboration integrated with AI-based tools on idiom learning among 60 upper-intermediate Iranian EFL learners, using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. Participants, selected via the Oxford Quick Placement Test for homogeneity, were randomly assigned to three groups: Experimental Group 1 (AI + Etymology), Experimental Group 2 (Etymology Only), and a Control Group (Traditional Instruction). Over six weeks, Experimental Group 1 received AI-supported instruction with personalized mnemonic aids and interactive narratives, Experimental Group 2 used traditional etymological methods, and the Control Group focused on rote memorization. Idiom knowledge was assessed through a 50-item test (25 recognition, 25 production items). Results showed significant differences in posttest scores, with Experimental Group 1 outperforming Experimental Group 2 and the Control Group. Tukey’s HSD test confirmed significant group differences. These findings highlight the synergistic potential of AI-driven tools and etymological elaboration in enhancing idiom acquisition, offering implications for innovative, culturally informed EFL pedagogy. The pedagogical implications are discussed.</p> https://www.journalapes.com/index.php/apes/article/download/94/80