WAN YEE WINSY LAI (THE EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG)
JU SEONG LEE (The Education University of Hong Kong)

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF AI CHATBOTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ELT : DIGITAL LITERACIES/LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY

This review analyzes the trends in AI chatbots in ELT in the last decade, from January 2013 to November 2023. The study examines 32 empirical studies published in SSCI and A&HCI journals, focusing on publication trends, types of AI chatbot applications, research methodology, learning outcomes, and factors influencing students’ use. Findings reveal a gradual increase in publications, with 4 (12%) occurring from 2013-2021, followed by 13 (41%) in 2022, and peaked at 15 (47%) in 2023. All studies (100%) are conducted in Asian EFL contexts, while the higher education setting receives the most attention. Among the AI chatbots, Google Assistant (25%) emerges as the most widely used. Quasi-experimental (45%) and cross-sectional (41%) research designs are commonly employed. Mixed-method (50%) approaches are prevalent for data collection and analysis. Conversational AI yields positive outcomes in affective dimension (43%), examples include students’ enjoyment and learning interest; and cognitive skills (41%), namely improvements in speaking skills and autonomous learning. The primary factors influencing user perceptions or behaviors are at the individual (47%) and microsystem layers (31%), such as students, parents, and teachers. Future studies should (a) encompass diverse language contexts beyond Asia, (b) explore the use of up-to-date tools (e.g., ChatGPT), (c) employ rigorous experimental designs, (d) broaden to focus on behavioral learning outcomes, and (e) investigate broader environmental factors.

Lai Wan Yee Winsy is a Ph.D. student at the Department of English Language Education at the Education University of Hong Kong. Prior to doctoral studies, she was a Master’s graduate in English Language Studies. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence-assisted English learning and teaching, and informal digital learning of English. She has published articles on technology-assisted language learning through ChatGPT and social media.

Ju Seong Lee is an Assistant Professor and Acting Head in the Department of English Language Education at the Education University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on Informal Digital Learning of English and innovative pedagogy. He has published 50+ peer-reviewed papers, with a strong focus on addressing real-life issues in schools.