TAKAKO INADA (JAPAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES)

TITLE: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STUDENT-CENTERED LANGUAGE LEARNING SYSTEM USING AI : PSYCHOLOGY FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING

With the evolution of AI in recent years, methods of learning using AI have been adopted in education. This mixed-methods cross-sectional study examines what kind of students perform better in a student-centered language learning system in a university communicative English classroom, and how these students perceive the system. 118 EFL freshmen from four classes completed a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire measuring foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), foreign language enjoyment (FLE), motivation, and confidence. In addition, at the end of the semester, students wrote an essay about how they feel about this system in class. A multiple regression analysis of the questionnaire found that students who were highly motivated, confident, and enjoyed class performed better. A qualitative analysis of the essays showed that autonomy, zone of proximal development, FLCA, FLE, high proficiency, motivation, and individual differences were closely related to each other. Students believe AI-based active learning is effective in fostering creativity, autonomy, motivation and enjoyment. By exchanging opinions and learning about each other's thoughts through pair/group work, students can broaden their horizons and gain intellectual stimulation. Working with classmates reduces anxiety and improves concentration and class attendance. Teachers should not be worried that the system won’t lead to learning.

Takako Inada is a professor at Japan University of Health Sciences. She received her M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University in USA and Ph.D. from Birkbeck College, University of London in UK. Her research interests include second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.