Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been around for a long time, so what is behind the enormous amount of attention and capital now being directed towards large language models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google Gemini? This workshop will present some of the historical and technical background on these remarkable systems, including why neural networks were essentially ignored for...
In the rapidly evolving domain of language education, Text to Speech (TTS) technology has become a transformative tool. Today's TTS systems offer near-native naturalness in voice quality, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence. These improvements have not only enhanced the clarity and fluency of generated speech but also its authenticity, making TTS an invaluable asset in language...
The sudden pivot to teaching in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has necessitated significant changes to the way instructors approach teaching. As AI tools flood the educational sphere, classroom instruction must accommodate the availability of these many and various tools. In some cases, AI tools are embraced as innovative means of gamification, interactivity, and efficiency; in other...
In the era of AI tools like LLMs and Text-to-Image generators, creating personalized curricula has become easier than ever. This presentation is your guide to blending expertise in course development, curriculum design, and graphic design principles with practical strategies using ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly. Concepts covered are applicable to other LLMs or Text-to-Image generators as well....
While artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have started being integrated into language education programmes offered at universities, secondary and elementary schools, little do we know if and how they could be introduced for language learners on the pre-school level. Just as with other types of information technologies, application of AI in early childhood education programmes raises many...
The provision of written corrective feedback on language learners' writing has been the focus of much investigation over the last three decades. Amongst this literature, there has been growing evidence that the provision of graduated feedback, which increases in explicitness as per learner needs in real time, can increase the learning potential of feedback on writing. However, the provision of...
The present study aims to explore the influence of Virtual Reality (VR) coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) feedback on the enhancement of English debate performances among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. Scheduled between January and May 2024, the research initiative seeks to address the prevalent issue of performance anxiety during English debates, a significant hurdle...
This forum will examine how advancements in artificial intelligence and new technologies can aid or impede learner development. The first presenter will explore how Japanese university students can improve their writing skills by using AI (such as ChatGPT) with a single prompt. The students in the study wrote a series of passages on pen and paper, in class over a number of weeks. They then...
This pilot study explores learners' perceptions of corrective feedback in digital foreign language learning tasks within a Learning Management System (LMS) as complementary tools in Spanish as a Foreign Language courses. While previous research (Li & Vuono, 2019) has extensively examined teacher corrective feedback in oral and written contexts, there is a lack of research on automated...
This study explores English learners’ reactions and achievements for two types of online learning, pre-recoded lectures and real-time lectures in an English reading class during one semester. The participants were 60 Korean EFL university learners who attended an English reading class as a general elective subject. They participated in the pre-recorded class for six weeks and the real-time...
Issue: It is now relatively easy to produce speech drafts in English by using AI translation(machine translation & translation by generative AI). Nevertheless, such speech drafts would not make much sense if students do not understand them well. Students may be able to ask questions to generative AI if there is anything unclear about the drafts. However, generative AI is useless unless they...
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened new horizons in education, potentially transforming the traditional classroom into a dynamic and adaptive learning environment. This presentation explores the findings of a comprehensive global survey, including educators from diverse teaching backgrounds, teaching experiences, and geographical locations. Our research sought to...
With the affordances of advanced technologies, machine translation tools (MTT), such as Google Translate, have been created and widely used to facilitate communication between people from different language backgrounds. The last decade has also witnessed the employment of MTT by English as a Foreign Language learners to assist their studies at university. Such use of MTT is regarded as a...
In an attempt to explore the linguistic features in the headlines of fake news, this study selected a sample of 383 fake news articles (Clarke et al., 2021) covered by the SEC’s enforcement action issued on April 10, 2017 (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 2017). Through building a corpus for headlines of fictitious news stories, this study was able to conduct both lexical and pragmatic...
Corpus technology has been noted as a facilitative tool in data-driven learning (DDL) due to its advanced search capabilities and access to vast linguistic databases. Despite its potential, many teachers shy away from direct corpus use, which involves teacher- and learner-corpus interaction. Based on teacher and learner feedback, this is due to the overwhelming amount of corpus data and...
How do we handle Large Language Model (LLM) AI in the classroom? Many approach it by creating policies that either restrict, ban, or limit its use to specific AI-focused activities. This can be effective in the short term, however, many underestimate the effect this technology will have on language learners’ futures as global digital citizens. Additionally, if AI is approached through limited...
This presentation outlines a three-step quick-writes activity conducted over a one-year period in 2023 at the intermediate level first-year EFL class at a private university in the Kanto region. The aim was for students to develop fluency in writing, as well as develop a sense of ownership of English through learner autonomy facilitated by DeepL. The first step involved a five-minute...
Virtual Reality (VR) has captured the attention of language educators due to its unique features such as immersion and sense of presence, promising enhanced learning experiences. However, existing research on language learning with VR predominantly consists of short-term studies, focusing on specific linguistic facets such as vocabulary, typically with a small number of students. While these...
While initial second language (L2) literature on ChatGPT was limited to descriptive articles that outlined the potential impact that the AI chatbot might have on the field, empirical research on the AI chatbot has begun to appear. For instance, researchers have examined the tool’s effectiveness for L2 writing assessment (Mizumoto & Eguchi, 2023; Pfau et al., 2023) and L2 teachers' and...
This session introduces a new 4-level, 4-skills EFL course that develops students’ critical thinking skills while systematically improving their knowledge of essential high-frequency words with both in-text and online learning tools. Utilizing two keyword lists from the New General Service List Project (www.newgeneralservicelist.com), Levels 1, 2, and 3 help students master essential general...
Since the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022, it has emerged as a pivotal point of discourse worldwide, particularly within the educational sphere. While the initial fascination about the use of ChatGPT in educational settings seems to have somewhat diminished, its numerous facets are yet to be fully unveiled and understood. One area which requires further exploration is the way...
This presentation explores the use of AI in evaluating speaking and pronunction. It addresses the challenges in assessing them quickly and accurately, specifically its impact on the metrics of comprehensibility and intelligibility. Pronunciation, in particular, significantly influences comprehensibility and intelligibility, essential components for effective communication. Historically,...
Using teacher-led questions is of utmost importance in the educational setting, as it allows teachers to convey knowledge and ascertain students' comprehension levels effectively. Educational professionals utilise these tools to facilitate purposeful engagements, foster increased student engagement, and shape cognitive processes, logical reasoning, and active involvement among their pupils....
We are developing a language-independent authoring system for teachers to construct listening and speaking drills integrated with technologies such as speech analysis, assessment, recognition, and synthesis. With this system, teachers can prepare online drills composed of various tasks customizable flexibly to the objective of the class and learners' needs in the class. The tasks implemented...
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, are increasingly pervasive in society and helpful aid for education, but they also have problems. Although AI tools may help students gather information and generate ideas, there is a concern about whether GenAI may deprive them of opportunities to research widely and think critically independently. This study discusses the...
In the context of the global digital revolution and its impact on education, this research delves into the perspectives of teachers regarding the integration of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in the rural primary school settings of Nepal. The study aims to understand how English language teachers perceive the role of technology in language instruction and to identify the...
With the increased interest in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into language education, this practice-based research project explored the use of ChatGPT's audio functionality to enhance Japanese students' oral communication skills. Japanese university students often complain that they have little chance to practice their English skills. To address this issue, the following research...
When technology is integrated into educational environments, chatbots, as intelligent technological tools for learning assistance, garner widespread attention. However, despite the potential of chatbots in educational settings, there is relatively limited research on their application in guiding writing activities. Although current iterations of generative AI (GenAI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT,...
To address the long-standing challenge facing traditional automated writing evaluation (AWE) systems in assessing higher-order thinking, this study built an AWE system for scoring argumentative essays by finetuning the GPT-3.5 Large Language Model and compared the system's effectiveness with that of the non-finetuned GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 base models, or "vanilla" models, using zero-shot prompting...
While generative AI has been around since the 1950s (Cao et al., 2023), in the last year and a half, the release of ChatGPT 3.5 and the influx of similar programs using large language models has left many in the academic world scrambling to find answers of how such powerful machines and education can coexist. Whether one is excited or concerned by the prospect of AI like ChatGPT in the...
This presentation will delve into how two tools, the H5P core module for Moodle and LUMI Application (a separate H5P application, which can be used for Moodle and WordPress), which help create interactive activities, with a primary focus on formative assessment. The speaker has personally utilized these tools for a period of two years and will openly discuss his experiences, highlighting both...
This study explores the development of an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment designed for independent, implicit learning of English conditional forms — specifically, the first, second, and third conditionals. A group of 20 participants experienced the VR system, and their comprehension of the relationship between conditional forms and verb tense was assessed through pre-tests,...
In recent years, universities have been dealing with the concerns of the utilisation of artificial intelligence, especially with the emergence of ChatGPT. This technology can not only generate written contents, i.e. human-like responses to questions and prompts, it can also affect assessments and evaluation methods. This paper presents a pedagogical approach that focuses on integrating...
"To commit ourselves to the modernization of Chinese language education through the application of information technology to different areas including curriculum, pedagogy and assessment," reads the mission statement of the Chinese Language Centre (CLC) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. CLC has long been participating in a number of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)...
Collaborating with professionals with different expertise is important to accomplish cross-disciplinary tasks. In the context of school, it means setting up a collaborative mission to enhance students’ cross-disciplinary knowledge and build up a positive attitude toward such collaboration. Such issue is explored in this study by proposing a mission for pre-service teachers of engineering and...
In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) translation, concerns regarding gender bias have gained prominence, warranting thorough investigation. This research endeavors to scrutinize the translations of marriage-related texts in AI’s English-Chinese translation through the lens of gender. Drawing inspiration from Simone de Beauvoir’s seminal work The Second Sex, which delves into the...
When communicating in a second language, communicative competence, as defined by Canale and Swain (1980), is crucial. Having the appropriate vocabulary is merely a component of our whole conversation. Current research has suggested that when effectively communicating, the ratio of verbal communication to nonverbal is about 50-50 (Tiferes et al., 2019). Additionally, we must be cognizant of our...
In Europe, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is conducted by non-native English-speaking content specialists who teach their academic discipline in English. This ‘hard’ version of CLIL has been considered difficult to implement at Japanese universities as many content specialists lack the pedagogical skills and teacher training. One way to bridge these difficulties, and a notion...
This study sought to inform the notion of “task” in Task-Based Language Teaching and Task-Based Language Assessment by describing, comparing, and contrasting the specific language used in different task types through a methodology used in Corpus Linguistics. Previous studies of tasks in TBLT have used the Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency (CAF) framework to analyze tasks. While this framework...
Digital game-based language learning is a growing field of study which has begun to highlight the potential of digital games as language learning tools. Much of the literature in the field has addressed the potential benefit of engagement outside the classroom with digital games for second language acquisition. However, when digital games are used in the controlled environment of a foreign...
The age of AI is finally with us, and brings with it far-reaching implications for language teachers and learners around the world. But how do we utilize the affordances of Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI-powered technologies for the best learning outcomes?
While the technology may have changed, in many respects the pedagogy remains the same. Students still need exposure to...
The shift to online education during the pandemic presented unique challenges, particularly for instructors accustomed to using traditional teaching tools such as whiteboards. In response, I adopted Google Sheets as a whiteboard to facilitate student interaction and provide a platform for submitting and checking assignments. Initially, correcting grammar and vocabulary in these submissions was...
The recent development of neural machine translation has raised new questions regarding human-machine tandem translation, with machine translation post-editing (MTPE) being one of the key issues. To address the gap created by the lack of process-oriented post-editing (PE) observations via neural machine translation systems, the current project explored post-editing processes undertaken by...
Students often need good practice not only for English oral presentation but also for oral answering in Q&A sessions, especially when they present their research results for the first time at international conferences. In this study, we aimed to assist those students in improving their oral skills in Q&A by having ChatGPT read the papers, which were written by the students, and ask general and...
The rise of digital technology in educational settings from its formative years in the 1980s to its current iteration has seemed inexorable and, in recent months, exponential. Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models are now ubiquitous topics of debate when discussing ethical and moral concerns in education. This presentation will begin by examining the ethical and moral issues...
This study investigates the application of Neufast, an AI-mediated job interview platform, in the realm of English for Special Purposes (ESP) learning. The research specifically examines students' perceptions of the AI analytics video interview for talent recruitment. Neufast, an AI-driven tool, offers a simulated environment for students to rehearse job interviews, receive immediate feedback,...
This presentation introduces 7 open-source, corpus-derived high frequency vocabulary word lists known collectively as the New General Service List Project which were developed by the presenter to help meet the needs of ESL/EFL learners. It will then go on to introduce a large and growing number of free, pedagogically-driven online tools, apps and resources for helping to utilize these lists...
Over the past decade, research has given the substantial evidence of the efficacy of technology-mediated language learning. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) featured with the concept of authenticity – uses of communicative tools and platforms, has become a key issue to be explored in various second language (L2) learning contexts. The main objective of this paper is to present an English...
ChatGPT has already revolutionized our ability to have conversations with a computer. At present this is generally limited to typing rather than speech itself. Utilization of speech synthesis and recognition (SR) technology for English speaking practices could present alternative methods to assist in the development of speaking and listening skills. However, there are still challenges when...
Research indicates that peer feedback accelerates L2 development in the same way as feedback provided by teachers by triggering noticing of gap in learners’ interlanguage (Sippel & Jackson, 2015). Computer-mediated L2 collaborative writing (CW) provides learners the chances to engage in collaborative dialogue where they give and receive peer feedback. Peer feedback thus serves as a mediational...
The recent introduction of advanced generative AI has had a noticeable impact on many fields, including higher education language learning. This offers new opportunities, including personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs, around-the-clock accessibility, immediate feedback mechanisms, and adaptive content delivery to enhance learning outcomes. However, in...
Figurative language in general, and sarcasm in particular, is a difficult concept for learners of English to fully grasp and successfully use (Wallace, 2014; Kim and Lantolf, 2016). While correct understanding of sarcasm may not have significant application in day-to-day business, for example, it is nonetheless a regular part of many native speaker’s language usage (Angraini, 2017). Some of...
In the past two decades, virtual exchanges driven by technological advancement and a desire to promote engagement among students in different countries and advance intercultural understanding have become widespread globally. A mounting number of studies points to potential benefits of virtual exchanges such as increased autonomy, improved motivation, a sense of learner agency, enhanced...
Artificial Intelligence and large language models are most frequently associated with Open AI, Google Bard, or Microsoft CoPilot (Bing). Most of these AIs are paid services; however, building and running your own AI is surprisingly simple. Moreover, there is no need for expensive server hardware; it is possible to run your own private AI within your laptop or even on a Raspberry Pi. Running...
This poster presentation exhibits a method of language acquisition, employing Virtual Reality (VR) photo-based tours as a means to appreciate a foreign language and the cultures that are connected to it.
In this poster presentation, I shall discuss the development of VR Photo-Based Tours to address the needs of three different projects that incorporated the linguistic and cultural elements...
In this poster session, a wide variety of commercial apps used for language learning will be demonstrated, including Immerse-me, Body Swaps, Mondly, Noun-Town, and VR-Chat. Participants will also be able to demo and try the apps. After trying out the apps attendees will be asked to fill out a survey regarding their virtual world experience with variables focusing on iconicity, approach to...
Utilizing virtual reality (VR) yields reported benefits in foreign language acquisition, offering a detailed content presentation unavailable through traditional methods and enabling experiences previously deemed dangerous, time-consuming, or cost-prohibitive (Feng et al., 2018; van Ginkel et al., 2019). Conversely, authentic task-based learning is recognized as advantageous in foreign...
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings has opened new avenues for language teaching and learning. Previous studies (e.g., Pack & Maloney, 2023; Pfau et al., 2023) have presented a potential for AI in language teaching. Building on this foundation, this study explores the utilization of ChatGPT, a sophisticated AI language model, in the context of English as a...
This poster presentation proposal explores the role of facial expressions in online classes and interviews and introduces the use of a specialized prompter as a potential tool for improvement. First, the study emphasizes the significance of facial expressions in online communication between teachers and students and their impact on communication between potential interviewers and interviewees...
The abrupt pandemic-driven shift to online learning fractured traditional academic spaces, exposing deep vulnerabilities in communication, collaboration, and the very foundation of the stable academic subject. This study, drawing on post-qualitative inquiry and Deleuzoguattarian rhizome theory, recodes this disruption not as a mere obstacle, but as an unexpected and fertile ground for...
We describe a new annotation framework and dataset for generating pedagogically effective automated feedback comments on second language (L2) learner writing.
Recent advances in natural language processing (NLP) have contributed to the development of myriad AI writing assistance programs, such as Grammarly or DeepL Write, that can correct grammatical errors in text. The use of such...
Compared to the outdated method of rote memorizing, the opportunities for learning English have increased with the advent of artificial intelligence technology. This study used Lingodub, an AI-based English learning application that allows students to engage with different types of English content. By offering a wide range of themes and characters for dubbing, students can practice English by...
The rapid rise of ChatGPT and similar large language models (LLMs) has given teachers access to a new and potentially valuable resource. But while many teachers may focus on the potential in-class applications of artificial intelligence, there is also potential for LLMs to support teachers outside the classroom. This poster presentation will explore the use of ChatGPT and similar LLMs in...
In the Japanese education system, learners of English commonly struggle with certain areas such as writing and speaking, and the course evaluations requiring these skills. Furthermore, the desire for greater feedback from teachers is often brought up in class surveys. There are several factors contributing to this, such as fear of mistakes, reluctance to speak, instruction focusing heavily on...
The introduction of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT & Bing Chat has had a massive impact on education; especially in the field of language teaching & learning. GenAI tools can produce complete written texts which could potentially then be used to replace students’ own writing. This has led to a level of uncertainty of the best way forward; what exactly is the best way forward in light of...
This presentation explores the innovative use of ChatGPT in a research project that brought together Japanese, Indonesian, and Filipino university students for a one-day online conference focused on global issues. Faculty advisors worked with ChatGPT in preparing students for this event, providing language support and cultural insights, and assisting in the development of discussion topics and...
This research explores the value of generative AI as a tool for supporting multimodal reading and writing in the creation of crime stories. Currently, at this research site, the use of generative AI for expository essays is against program policy, but narrative creation is allowed as a no-stakes activity. To elucidate patterns in which language students explore and use generative AI as part...
This study aims to develop, employ, and evaluate an immersive virtual-reality (VR) campus tailored for novice students learning Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) at a Taiwanese university. The primary goal is to equip incoming international students with essential Chinese language skills critical for successfully adapting to the academic environment. Incorporating an inventive blend of...
Targeted at EFL professionals tasked with conference management, this interactive presentation outlines a streamlined, tested approach to deploying and successfully managing a call for papers on the Indico conference management platform. From initial setup to the successful execution of each stage of a CfP, participants will learn how to leverage Indico’s comprehensive suite of tools. The...
As attention spans vary individually and are influenced by different factors, the cultivation of active participation and engagement among students remains one of the paramount goals for educators. This workshop is designed for all levels of Quizizz users, and it explores the innovative use of Quizizz, an online learning platform suitable for creating dynamic and participatory learning...
Modern English language education is undergoing a transformative shift, embracing a holistic approach that nurtures 21st-century competencies such as integrated communication fluency and critical thinking. This evolution process necessitates a comprehensive reskilling and upskilling of language instructors, a challenge that this innovative pedagogical framework addresses. Motivated by the...
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now emerged as a transformative force in various sectors of our lives, including academia. Machine translation has developed to the point that few students now own an electronic dictionary in tertiary education which propels the use of MT and AI tools from web-based tools and smartphone applications. Hence, the majority of Japanese universities and colleges now...
This study aims to investigate using digital learning resources, specifically the Adaptive English Learning Platform, to enhance English reading skills and motivation among elementary school students. With the increasing prominence of English as a global language and the challenges faced in primary-level English reading skills, this study aims to explore the practical impact of digital...
Many EFL and ESL teachers do not provide corrective feedback on L2 writing. Reasons include but are not limited to: 1. considerable time required; 2. unhelpful but necessary delay in returning corrective feedback; 3. concerns about comprehensibility of the feedback in the L2; and 4. concerns that students may simply disregard feedback. In recent years, automated corrective written feedback has...
Recently, educators have started to leverage large language models like ChatGPT for Japanese language education. In this study, I created a ChatGPT-like chatbot to output voiced character language for Japanese learning. Character language captures the unique speech patterns of fictional characters, influenced by their age, gender, personality, and environment. These patterns are especially...
Generative AI has recently saturated various language learning platforms and applications, such as Duolingo, English Central, Elsa. Integration of features powered by generative AI conveys potential advantage for language learners, suggesting individualized feedback and human-like interaction. However, the exact benefits of generative AI features for language learners are yet to be confirmed....
This presentation provides an update on developments of a new university-level English course with a high proficiency enrollment requirement (IELTS 7+). The course, which was initially designed before the emergence of tools like ChatGPT, made revisions in Year 1 in response to the university’s stance to encourage AI use as it is a university of science and technology. These course developments...
This presentation showcases a groundbreaking 28-week study conducted with twenty-five first-year and second-year students, exploring the efficacy of ChatGPT in enhancing English language skills, specifically in composition. The study rigorously tested the impact of ChatGPT on students' English proficiency, engaging them in a comprehensive, AI-integrated learning process.
Each week,...
This presentation covers the technology and pedagogy behind MiMi, an AI-powered speaking assistant based on generative AI, speech recognition, and text-to-speech technologies. It will review the accuracy and efficacy of GenAI Assistants, including the pedagogy that underpins them, their impact on student motivation, and how they can be used to assess students’ language ability. The...
This pilot study examines the efficacy of an adaptive CLIL science reading platform (ACSRP) for facilitating personalized learning among fifth graders in an after-school International Education program in Taiwan. Following the design-based research paradigm, which consists of grounding, conjecturing, iterating, and reflecting (Hoadley & Campos, 2022), the researchers first analyzed learning...
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) has transformed language education by personalizing learning experiences, providing instant feedback, and offering immersive practice opportunities. This presentation explores AI's pivotal role in reshaping traditional pedagogies and its implications for the future of language education. AI in CALL...
This research investigates the feasibility of using ChatGPT to create authentic English learning materials. Our hypothesis posits that if neither teachers nor students can distinguish between ChatGPT-generated and human-made materials, ChatGPT could be a viable tool for future language learning material development.
We first compared the time required to develop similar materials using...
This study brings together ELF learners from Taiwan and Poland, tasking them with co-creating virtual reality tours, to determine the effects of this type of engagement on intercultural learning, motivation, and multimodal literacies. Eight graduate students drawn from a TEFL methodology seminar at a national university in northern Taiwan were paired with an equal number of MA pre-service...
College English classes in Japan often devolve into grammar translation and passive content. This does not improve students’ ability to communicate better in English. Developing active skills is more important and meaningful. As communication is essentially spoken, textbooks and excessive teacher talk can be major obstacles. They worked together to produce video recordings of live...
Traditional classroom-based language teaching often lacks context and natural elements crucial for effective language acquisition. Although research has shown the importance of turn-taking, disfluency, embodiment, and gesture use in natural conversation, gathering quantitative data to identify patterns has been challenging for language teachers. Previous research relied on annotating video...
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings has opened new avenues for enhancing learning experiences. This study focuses on understanding students' perceptions of using AI, specifically ChatGPT (3.5 version), to provide feedback on writing performance in a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) course. The course, centered on Data Description and Analysis,...
“[T]he entire ELT community needs to see any threats to individual well-being as a collective community issue” (Mercer, 2021, p.19). However, in this day and age, the extent to which language teachers are prepared to handle AI and sustain their mental well-being still needs more insight. With that in mind, a case study focusing on the context of Vietnamese higher education was conducted to...
AI Generated Imagery (AIGI) produces racially biased images and the implications of such biases are problematic because proliferation of such imagery can amplify stereotypes. However, little research has been done into if L2 students are able to identify and articulate about these biases. Furthermore, because current AIGA is text based, there is a crucial language component that can be...
Recently, machine translation (MT) services such as Google Translate and DeepL, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard have become a topic of interest for many language teachers. Some teachers are concerned about threats to academic integrity, while others are interested in the educational potential of such tools and how best to effectively harness them for learning. In this...
The demand for independence and agency in learning continues to develop as schools change the concept of the classroom. However, students' learning without the help of a teacher or instructor has shown that they need guidance to achieve self-directed learning. To respond to the problem above, the researcher used artificial intelligence (AI) to help accelerate students' learning. This study...
Automatic Writing Evaluation (AWE) has experienced significant growth in the dynamic realm of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing, driven by remarkable advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This technological evolution has brought forth a plethora of writing tools characterized by increasingly sophisticated AWE systems that provide precise and adaptable solutions for...
With the development of new technologies, the performance of English grammar checkers has improved significantly in recent years. However, the performance of Chinese grammar checkers is still not satisfactory. Although there are some new Chinese grammar checkers, their performance is still not widely accepted. Although OpenAI ChatGPT includes Chinese language data, few studies have...
This study explores the integration of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, into the scriptwriting process for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners engaged in video production. Previous research indicates that video production in a second language (L2) enhances language learning (Lam & Yunus, 2023) and digital literacy (Lacy, 2018). Additionally, generative AI technologies have been...
Generative AI can be intimidating for students and instructors, but with some guidance and practice, it can become a valuable (and even fun) tool. Ideally, it will provide a wider range of easy-to-understand information and give suggestions to learners who may not know where to begin. Being a new technology, there are still many who are reluctant to use it. In addition, perhaps the challenging...
Spoken interactions, including turn-taking activities, discussions, task-based learning, and computer-supported collaborative learning, are common in foreign language learning classrooms. However, the neural mechanisms underpinning such foreign language exchanges remain insufficiently explored. Consequently, questions arise regarding the emergence of neural alignment between activity partners...
Generative AI (GenAI) is rapidly advancing language education by providing innovative learning tools. Understanding its adoption within academic contexts, particularly among university students in Japan, is vital to fostering the integration of GenAI in language learning courses and realizing its full educational potential. The research described in this presentation explores how students in...
The study explores the potential benefits and drawbacks for EFL business writing teachers planning to adopt ChatGPT, a popular chatbot built on a transformer-based language model known as a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT). It reports an 18-week business writing course of 20 EFL writers in the Fall 2023 semester at an English department at a public technological university in Taiwan....
The MAVR Immersive Learning Showcase at the JALT CALL Conference 2024, taking place at Meijo University Dome Mae Campus, Nagoya from May 17th to 19th, represents a critical junction of pioneering insights and breakthroughs in mixed, augmented, and virtual realities, specifically tailored for language learning.
This event mirrors the MAVR Special Interest Group's commitment to advancing...
As the landscape of generative AI continues to evolve, educators have been exploring its potential applications in teaching, especially its ability to generate presentations and visual aids for teaching. This workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to delve into the practical aspects of leveraging various AI platforms and tools to generate images and presentations. Through hands-on...
Do students even need real teachers anymore? That is a question floating around Silicon Valley in light of recent advancements in AI. Are they caught up in the hype, or is there a foreseeable path to AI teachers?
The present state of LLMs leaves a lot to be desired for advanced applications designed to embody intelligent language teachers. We cannot simply prompt our way to a solution with...
The use of automated writing evaluation (AWE) in second language (L2) writing contexts has increased dramatically, as evidenced by the large body of research published on the topic over the past decade (e.g., Li, 2021; Link et al., 2022; Zhang, 2020). Considering this, several systematic reviews on AWE have been published (Ding & Zou, 2023; Ngo et al., 2022; Zhai & Ma, 2022). Nevertheless,...
During the years of 2020 to 2023, many teachers were forced into online-only classes which created both a burden to teachers and opportunities to expand our teaching repertoire to integrate more online resources and activities. This presentation will present a number of online methods and techniques to help students learn about, obtain, and engage in critical thinking. From detailed critiquing...
In an EFL environment, opportunities to interact with native speakers in English are often limited. However, the rise of generative AI has opened up new possibilities for EFL learners. Chatbots can now interact with learners in a more human-like manner. In this presentation, we will introduce a chatbot we developed: CoolE Bot. This English chatbot, powered by ChatGPT, integrates Text-to-Speech...
This presentation aims to summarize and highlight research findings from an online homework course using the Moodle learning management system. Students were tasked to complete 50 homework activities from a pool of 64 over a semester. Research data compares the performance and completion rates of students assigned 8 activities biweekly against those with unrestricted access to all 64 quizzes...
JALT Intercultural Communication in Language Education (ICLE) SIG Presentation
The advent of widely accessible generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has taken foreign language education by storm; fueling a raging debate regarding the possibilities, limitations and even the adequacy of using AI for language learning. Under this context, it could be said that there is one particular area that...
This qualitative study examines the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT, a large language model-based chatbot, into a first-year college academic writing class with five student participants. The students attended a lecture on ChatGPT usage and read an article on crafting effective prompts. Their reflections on using ChatGPT offer insights into its impact on their writing process and...
This presentation offers a comprehensive view of our experiences with AI integration in university language teaching, our strategic approach, and envisioned developments in competency-based language education, primarily focusing on STEM and Management students at the Language Center of the Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Our AI integration approach prioritizes preparing students...
The ultimate goal of feedback in the writing process is to give students a chance to independently and critically analyze their own writing (Hyland & Hyland, 2006). The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in classroom settings opens up the possibility of students using AI to ask questions about and receive feedback on their writing. However, how much students trust feedback from AI...
The benefits of VR for English education such as increasing engagement (Hu-Au & Lee, 2017), reducing affective filter (Schwienhorst, 2020), and public speaking anxiety (Godefridi et al., 2021), and raising students’ motivation (Tai, Chen, & Todd, 2020) have been reported. This presentation details a pilot study on the iTL VR café, focusing on the utilization of Virtual Reality (VR) for English...
In many tertiary educational settings, participation can comprise a significant part of a student’s overall grade for some courses. Transparently documenting this important element can be challenging (Ihsan, 2018, Rasooli et al., 2018; Chang, 2013). For example, many schools do not accept the overt use of easily quantified numbers derived from attendance as a factor when calculating...
Recent advancements in Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) have opened up new possibilities for language teaching and learning. Leveraging the Vygotskian concepts of the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), this report presents an investigation of the viability of GPT-3 as an MKO for English Language Learners (ELLs). The study introduces the...
Virtual Exchanges (VEs) promote language acquisition and increase communication confidence, self-perceived communication competence (SPCC), digital literacy, cross-cultural understanding, collaboration skills, and intercultural competence. Current literature has yet to explore the effect of time spent on VE tasks and the complexity of those tasks as they relate to students' SPCC, communication...
This talk explores the potential of using generative AI for language education, emphasizing the evolving roles and responsibilities of language teachers. It encompasses several key areas of research. The initial focus is on developing strategies for prompt engineering that facilitate the creation of language teaching and learning materials. I will showcase various prompts for content...
XReading has become a popular platform for many ESL educators to conduct extensive reading in their classes. The convenience and accessibility of XReading can and continues to provide an enjoyable reading (and also listening) experience for students all over the world. From personal experience however, there are issues that arise with the use of XReading. The cost which can be prohibitive for...
Fluency development is an important aspect of second language vocabulary acquisition. Spending time developing fluency helps to increase the speed that words can be accessed. In the context of reading, it is important to develop this fast access to vocabulary to avoid the vicious cycle of reading discussed in Nuttall (1982) and Coady (1997). One way to develop reading fluency is through speed...
Recently, a lot of people have been learning a new language through the Internet. One of the practical English language learning tools is a chatbot with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Replika (https://replika.ai/) can be a self-study tool for language learners. It is an AI chatbot that communicates with language learners naturally, and it helps learners learn how to communicate in English....
Adopting post-reading discussions in English offers several advantages, including enhancing comprehension, stimulating critical thinking, developing interpersonal skills, fostering curiosity, and providing diverse perspectives (Alvermann, 1985; AdLit.org, 2008; UNESCO, n.d.). This practice was implemented as a weekly assignment at a private university within the context of Academic English...
The capabilities and practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have advanced rapidly over recent years (Heift & Schulze, 2015). Foreign language education has already been dramatically impacted by these developments, as learners gain access to increasingly powerful AI tools capable not only of improving grammar and vocabulary choices in academic writing, but also of...
AI tools such as ChatGPT can be used to great advantage by teachers, classes, and individual students to improve the quality of Academic English writing skills while providing superior and more customized feedback within the parameters of specific writing assignments. The authors intend to showcase the various ways ChatGPT could support best teaching practices and successful methodologies for...
Affect (Ahmed, 2004) has gained more attention in applied linguistics as a predictor of transformative learning action. Specific attention has gone to the multimodal nature of how affect is experienced and its ability to enable transformative action (Kiesling, 2019; Westberg, 2022). This study reports how multimodal video feedback on academic assignments brings about ‘affect’ in students’...
Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and its siblings have not only marked a sea change in AI research and development, but also had a major ripple effect on fields that may have used AI minimally. In this presentation, I will first provide a brief history of Natural Language Processing, the field that has developed LLMs, and then delve into the foundational aspects of LLMs, providing...
As we consider how to introduce Japanese students to the world of AI, it is important to understand their experience with educational technology in general. This session presents 9 years of survey data into Japanese university students’ experiences with using technology in learning. The surveys were conducted among over 1,000 first-year university students at both private and public...
Instead of using proprietary AI offerings, it is possible to run your own private AI within your own laptop or even on a Raspberry Pi. In this hands-on workshop, we will present Ollama, a simple, free and open-source platform for launching and running AI models. Participants will be guided through installing Ollama on their own devices, which is as simple as running a single command or...
The Open Vocabulary Level Test (“OpenVLT”) is a computer adaptive, vocabulary level test that generates an English level score based on the CEFR, an internationally recognized standard for English assessment. The test is made available at no cost on EnglishCentral and other sites, including Moodle. The OpenVLT allows teachers, e-learning solution providers and researchers to share an open...
This study investigates the integration of AI chatbots, specifically ChatGPT and Bard/Gemini, in advanced-level "Practical English" courses for college freshmen. It examines their impact on student engagement and motivation, aiming to assess the effectiveness of AI-driven chatbots in Task-Based Learning (TBL) activities. Tasks include conversation generation, debates, and problem-solving,...
Few studies has investigated the effect of annotated vlogs on second language (L2) listening comprehension and vocabulary learning in mobile-assisted language learning environment (Çakmak & Erçetin, 2017). Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the effect of annotated vlogs on listening comprehension and vocabulary learning in mobile listening learning environment. This study adopted a...
It is well acknowledged that the COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in unignorable changes to almost every aspect of people’s life, including foreign language education (UNESCO, 2020). Different from traditional online education that is often planned ahead with preparation, the abrupt transition to online education during COVID-19 has placed great pressure on foreign language teachers...
This pilot study investigated two main components: the use of ChatGPT for generating speech scripts, and the integration of DeepL/Google Translate and Google Docs for pronunciation checking and practice. Specifically, ChatGPT served as an online tutor and the generator of speech scripts for the participants. In addition, the audio function of DeepL/Google Translate and the Automatic Speech...
What happens when an experienced educational technology teacher who has run Professional Development workshops becomes a student again and goes through the identical learning experiences that he puts his own students through? That's what happened to me when I enrolled in a two-year Master of Creative Writing degree at Macquarie University, in Australia. Suddenly, I was the student on the other...
No matter how much we may not like to admit it, AI is here to stay. Although there are several advantages to embracing AI in academic life (Lin 2023), AI use is frowned upon by teachers in the author’s own university teaching contexts. Here, two university writing classes were monitored for AI use using Originality.ai, an AI detection software application, over the 2023-24 school year....
Intercultural competence is an essential component of effective communication, particularly in foreign language education like English, where learners engage with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Research highlights the importance of integrating intercultural competence with linguistic proficiency, empowering learners to confidently share their perspectives and enrich the...
Second and foreign language educators strive for better methods, conditions, and technology to teach the target language (TL). Due to the day-to-day endeavour, we are rewarded by witnessing learners’ successful TL acquisition. Sharing our research outcomes, therefore, is critical to generating new public knowledge. Since educators are often required to publish to improve career prospects and...
This research aimed to improve the English writing skills of students using a Personalized Learning strategy integrated with Teaching at the Right Level (PL-TaRL). Personal Learning (PL) tailors writing instruction to students' unique needs, emphasizing engagement. Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) evaluates students' current level and provides gradual complexity to promote improvement in...
Given the essential role of teachers’ feedback in language teaching and learning, a great body of research has been conducted to find ways of boosting the quality of teachers’ comments on students’ performance. More importantly, there has been a consensus among researchers that computer-assisted feedback is likely to yield various merits, including specificity for students and time efficiency...
This presentation discusses the results of a technological literacy survey of undergraduate English majors (N = 285) conducted in 2022 (n = 176) and 2023 (n = 109) at a small private women’s university in Western Japan. The survey asked participants about their technology use pre-entry, changes in their technology use since entry, preferences regarding the various devices available for...
This study focuses on educational artificial intelligence (AI), centering on the impact of AI in transforming educational paradigms. Recent research efforts, including those at Harvard's Next Level Lab (2023) and insights from thought leaders like Donald Clark (2023) and Paul Kim at Stanford’s SMILE lab, highlight the shift from traditional teaching methods to dynamic, just-in-time Socratic...
Language teachers have long used paper-based handouts and worksheets in their classrooms for a range of purposes, including setting up and running communicative activities, delivering lesson content, and providing practice exercises. However, there has been a recent shift away from using paper in class in favor of electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets. In response, teachers have had...
This presentation will examine the current ability of a Large Language Model, ChatGPT 4, to analyze Discourse Completion Task responses for politeness strategies. The responses to the eight situation DCT meant to elicit 'refusals' were used to create two small corpora: one of University EFL learners and one of University EFL instructors. The instructors' responses were manually coded for use...
Despite the growing body of research on the pedagogical aspects of machine translation and ChatGPT in language learning, concerns have been raised about students relying on machine translation to avoid language learning and about ChatGPT increasing the risk of plagiarism and cheating. These concerns may be attributed in part to students' lack of literacy about machine translation and ChatGPT,...
This research-based presentation investigates the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT and Grammarly, within language learning to ascertain their impact on enhancing learning while maintaining academic integrity. It focuses on AI's role in facilitating personalized learning experiences, such as generating writing topics, correcting grammatical errors, expanding...
In project-based language learning (PBLL), students engage in real-world issues and use the language they are learning to produce products for audiences beyond the classroom. PBLL was incorporated into a business English class for third- and fourth-year university students. In this case, the real-world issue was provided by a local company that wanted to market its Airbnb to English-speaking...
Teachers are required to continuously develop their professional duties. However, in practice, many problems affect the traditional way of teachers’ professional development (TPD) such as the inability to reduce the high levels of stress due to overflowing administrative tasks, the lack of competence to integrate technology in learning, limited digital literacy skills to increase knowledge,...
This talk explores the potential of using generative AI for language education, emphasizing the evolving roles and responsibilities of language teachers. It encompasses several key areas of research. The initial focus is on developing strategies for prompt engineering that facilitate the creation of language teaching and learning materials. I will showcase various prompts for content...
In this workshop, each practitioner will involve participants in exploring approaches and activities that bring together Pragmatics, generative AI, and language classroom practices.
Yukie Saito: In my part of this workshop, I will explain the challenges Japanese EFL students face in mastering pragmatically appropriate conversations using standard ELT textbooks. Then, I will introduce ChatGPT...
