2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
A tool to improve EFL students' English speaking abilities through progress tracking
| Project/Area Number |
21K13052
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| Research Institution | University of Fukui |
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Principal Investigator |
ロンバルディ イヴァン 福井大学, 学術研究院教育・人文社会系部門(総合グローバル), 講師 (10772981)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | EFL speaking / progress tracking / course design |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The 4R routine described in the main report was finalized and implemented in FY 2021 and 2022, although with changes to the original research design (see: 現在までの進捗状況) to adapt to fully online (2021) and partially online (2022) research environments. Data collection and analysis were nevertheless completed as intended, although the number of interviews needed to gather qualitative data had to be decreased compared to the original plan for the same reason as above. The results show a correlation between the implementation of the 4r routine (revised to fit the online setting) and participant awareness of their language learning. The areas of speaking ability where the participants' perception of progress was stronger were, in order: 1) fluency; 2) confidence; 3) pronunciation; 4) vocabulary acquisition; 5) grammar. The results so far have been published in two academic peer-reviewed outlets; one was published in March 2023, and one will appear in an edited book in June 2023.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The research design had to be updated in the previous two years to adapt to emergency remote teaching (ERT) situations at the research location. This influenced data collection to a major extent and data analysis to a lesser extent. As a silver lining, the necessary switch to ERT has highlighted the affordances of forward-thinking course design practices, which have been implemented to supplement the original formulation of the 4r routine. This has allowed the research to frame better the guidelines that should result as a part of the FY 2023 research activities.
Since November 2022, the release of AI-based large language models like ChatGPT and their enormous and rapid diffusion have resulted in the need for all language practitioners and researchers to adapt their teaching practices. As a result of this, it is possible that the research plan and flow will need to be amended again for the following two reasons: 1) to allow the researcher, a language practitioner, to revise their own teaching to accommodate for the new AI-based tools in what is effectively a complete revolution in second language education, and 2) to understand the repercussions that the use of current-generation AI chatbots and enhanced machine translation can have on language learners motives, objectives, and finally progress awareness. As such, it is deemed possible that the advent of ChatGPT will affect the current research project to a degree unthinkable before the end of 2022.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Qualitative data from FY 2021 and 2022 can be explored in further detail, which will be a priority for the researcher as it contributes directly to research dissemination. For the same reason, and the alleviation of the pandemic situation, the researcher plans to travel domestically and internationally to participate in conferences.
While it is deemed possible to continue work on the rest of the original 2023 plan (writing guidelines on how to implement speaking progress tracking in EFL courses), the researcher will need to respond to both the affordances and the concerns of the new AI-enabled text generators and translations described in the previous section. Thus, the FY 2023 research plan can be considered subject to change out of necessity.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The researcher strives to be careful with money and avoid unnecessary expenses. It is thought that FY will see an increase in domestic or international traveling due to research dissemination efforts compared to the previous years. Reference materials (especially books) and technology will also need small upgrades. Some, though not all, of the ongoing subscription software licenses will need to be renewed. The researcher will also look into increased access to AI-powered tools, through one-time purchases, subscriptions, and a dedicated workstation should the need arise.
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