Improving the English skills of native Japanese using artificial intelligence in a blended learning program

Hiroyuki Obari,Stephen Lambacher

doi:10.14705/rpnet.2019.38.1031

Hiroyuki Obari, Stephen Lambacher

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2019.38.1031

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Publication Date: Dec 9, 2019
Citations: 10	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Aoyama Gakuin University

Abstract

A constructivist approach to language learning can motivate students by activating their brains to create new knowledge and reflect more consistently and deeply on their language learning experience. The present study focused on assessing the use of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) speakers Google Home Mini and Amazon Alexa as part of a Blended Learning (BL) environment to improve the English skills of two groups of native Japanese undergraduates. The participants were 47 native speakers of Japanese, all third-year business majors at a private university in Tokyo. Pretest and posttest Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) scores, as well as results from a post-training survey, were used in evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program. Gains in TOEIC scores indicated the BL program incorporating AI speakers improved the students’ overall English skills, particularly listening comprehension. The results suggest the integration of AI, along with social media and 21st-century skills, may be an effective way to improve the English language proficiency of adult L2 learners.

Highlights

Artificial Intelligence (AI) speakers can be experienced efficiently and smoothly using hand-held devices, which can enhance the construction of broader learning environments and viewpoints (Kepuska & Bohouta, 2018)
An assessment of the pretest and posttest Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) scores revealed the combination of the AI/Blended Learning (BL) lessons had a positive effect on students’ overall English language learning experience
Students’ listening and oral communication skills were improved, which may have been due to the integration of the language learning activities which focused on a social constructivist approach while utilizing the AI smart speakers Alexa and Google Home Mini

Summary

Introduction

AI speakers can be experienced efficiently and smoothly using hand-held devices, which can enhance the construction of broader learning environments and viewpoints (Kepuska & Bohouta, 2018). AI/mobile technologies have succeeded in transforming learning methodologies. One such methodology adopted successfully in recent years is BL (Obari & Lambacher, 2014). How to cite this article: Obari, H., & Lambacher, S. Improving the English skills of native Japanese using artificial intelligence in a blended learning program. Thouësny (Eds), CALL and complexity – short papers from EUROCALL 2019

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