The present study investigated the effects of gamified grammar and vocabulary learning using Kahoot!, Quizizz, and Quizlet on learning performance, motivation, enjoyment, anxiety, and classroom dynamics and engagement in an English course. The investigation also involved the effects of gamified learning on gender, proficiency, and learning outcomes. Gamified learning was implemented for eight weeks, consisting of Cycle 1 (grammar) and Cycle 2 (vocabulary). Data were collected using survey questionnaires, grammar and vocabulary tests, and English proficiency tests. The results indicated high positive effects on the five survey constructs and significant increases were noted for learning motivation and classroom dynamics and engagement while reducing learning anxiety. The effects remained constant for female and male students, yet high-level students would likely enjoy and be engaged more in gamified learning than low-level students. Despite these highly perceived effects, they were not significant predictors of students’ grammar learning outcomes. Only the degrees of students’ learning enjoyment and anxiety can help estimate students’ achievement in vocabulary learning. Keywords: gamification; grammar learning; vocabulary learning; learning outcomes

This research explores the collaboration between Indonesian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in content development. Employing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted to delve into the perspectives, experiences, and interactions of educators in the realm of AI-enhanced content creation. The study adopts a phenomenological approach, seeking to uncover the underlying essence of the evolving educator-AI relationship in content development. The findings reveal a spectrum of AI integration among educators, from heavy reliance to a balanced approach. Educators demonstrate adaptability and resourcefulness, combining school textbooks with AI-powered tools, such as ChatGPT, magicschool.ai, and you.com, creating dynamic and engaging instructional strategies. Their approaches to lesson planning, content development, presentation, teaching methods, and assessment display a diverse range of AI incorporation, emphasizing flexibility and student-centred learning. Educators are blending textbook analysis, AI tools, and multimedia resources to enhance learning environments. Interactive and student-centred teaching methods, such as pair work, role-play scenarios, and dialogue practice, foster language acquisition, communication skills, and student confidence. In assessment and evaluation, the integration of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Twee, and Questionwell is emerging, enriching evaluation methods and promising improved student learning experiences. This research sheds light on the dynamic nature of AI-augmented content development in Indonesian EFL education, highlighting educators’ adaptability and resourcefulness in embracing technology to enhance pedagogical practices and foster enriched language acquisition experiences for their students. Keywords: AI integration; content development; EFL education; Indonesian educators; pedagogical innovation

Although there are claims that ChatGPT, an AI-based language model, is capable of assessing the writing of L2 learners accurately and consistently in the classroom, a number of recent studies have shown discrepancies between AI and human raters. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies investigating the intra-reliability of ChatGPT scores. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the accuracy and consistency of ChatGPT compared to teachers, as well as with itself, after being trained on a rubric. To accomplish this goal, the study adopted a quantitative correlational non-experimental design. A dataset of 100 writing assignments, submitted by a cohort of B1-level students at an international branch university in Egypt, was analyzed quantitatively. These assignments were initially evaluated and moderated by trained teachers (n=11), and subsequently, the same assignments were also assessed twice by ChatGPT. The findings indicated that teachers’ scores exhibited a higher level of accuracy compared to those generated by ChatGPT. The results also revealed that ChatGPT exhibits a moderate, yet questioned, level of intra-rater reliability. The weak to moderate correlations between ChatGPT and teacher scores raise concerns about the accuracy and consistency of ChatGPT’s scoring of writing assignments. The implications of the findings highlight the potential applications and limitations of ChatGPT in L2 writing assessment. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the use of AI technologies in language education and provides insights into the accuracy and reliability of ChatGPT as an evaluation tool for L2 writing. Keywords: ChatGPT; accuracy; consistency; intra-rater reliability; inter-rater reliability

COVID-19 has created a dramatic and rapid transition to emergency remote teaching in higher education (HE) creating both new opportunities and challenges for lecturers and their students. As HE adapts to these new circumstances, there is a need for instructors to design and teach classes that support collaborative learning and increase opportunities for student interactivity. This article reports on an ongoing study exploring university students’ experiences and perceptions of using breakout rooms (BRs), a technical feature of many synchronous online platforms, as part of their online classes. Using a mixed methods research approach, 127 students, who were registered on English language courses at a university in Cyprus during Spring 2021, participated in the study. Findings indicate that students’ experiences and perceptions of breakout rooms during this period were impacted in five key areas: (1) emotional/affective, (2) moral/ethical, (3) social, (4) pedagogical and (5) technological. These findings suggest that students’ personal feelings, attitudes to online learning, sense of connectedness to their peers, expectations of the role and presence of the lecturer and issues relating to the technology, are all considered to be significant factors in their use of BRs. This study offers initial insights for educators who wish to use, modify and/or adapt synchronous online teaching to incorporate collaborative learning opportunities through breakout rooms. Keywords: higher education; synchronous online teaching; breakout rooms; collaborative learning; student experiences; COVID-19