Recent research in language education has highlighted the benefits of using AI, such as allowing learners to practice conversation without embarrassment. However, few studies have examined these interactions from the perspective of Second Language Anxiety (SLA). This study investigated beginner learners LY (LY) engaging in casual chats with a chatbot AI (AI), using follow-up interviews (FI) and discourse analysis. Results showed that LY experienced SLA in comprehension. LY struggled with vocabulary in AI’s utterances. Discourse analysis also revealed difficulties with katakana and kanji words whose meanings differ from Taiwanese Mandarin, as well as inappropriate questions or topic shifts. These findings suggest that beginner learners need support in comprehension and practice in contextually appropriate questioning and topic management during casual conversations.