Bridging Digital Literacy and Communicative Competence: Evidence from AI-Mediated English Language Learning

This study examined the relationship between digital literacy and communicative competence in English among learners in technology-enhanced and generative AI-mediated learning environments. Using a mixed-methods explanatory design, data were collected from 193 undergraduate English language learners in private colleges in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, together with qualitative inputs from six English language teachers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. Findings revealed that learners demonstrated high overall digital literacy and high overall communicative competence. Personal security skill and sociolinguistic competence emerged as the strongest dimensions, whereas critical digital literacy, grammatical competence, and discourse competence were relatively weaker. A significant strong positive relationship was found between digital literacy and communicative competence, suggesting that learners with stronger digital competencies tend to demonstrate stronger English communicative performance. Qualitative findings revealed adaptive strategies such as verification of AI-generated content, strategic AI use, reflective revision, selective dependence, and feedback-seeking, alongside challenges involving AI overreliance, limited access, weak evaluation of AI outputs, and blurred authorship. Based on these findings, the study developed the BRIDGE Framework as a teacher-guiding model for integrating digital and AI-mediated literacy practices into English language instruction. The study contributes to the growing discourse on AI literacy, communicative competence, and responsible language learning in higher education.

Digital Literacy, Communicative Competence, English Language Learners, Generative Artificial Intelligence, AI-Mediated Learning, BRIDGE Framework

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