The purpose of this study was to investigate how the English speaking ability of Korean EFL college students was affected by their interactions with Talk-to-ChatGPT while taking an ‘English Interview’ class. Thirty pieces of English conversation scripts with thirty chatbot conversations created by five students were collected for analysis. Two online text analysis programs, Quillbot including word counter and grammar checker and T.E.R.A.(Text Ease and Readability Assessor), were used for data analysis. The findings of data analysis revealed that 1) The average length of the sentences and words spoken by the participants has increased through English speaking practice using Talk-to-ChatGPT, and 2) There was no significant change in text ease and readability, and coherence of students’ utterances through English speaking practice using a chatbot while there were differences depending on their English proficiency levels. 3) Students A, B, and D, who had relatively low levels of English proficiency, showed a slight increase in syntactic accuracy and semantic clarity in their English interview practice. Based on the study findings, pedagogical implications for the effective use of AI-based apps or programs in English speaking classes were presented.

The present study aimed to explore how pre-service teacher’s individual regulatory focus orientation, currently emerging as an interesting learner variable for language learning, could influence their Englishspeaking abilities. English teaching demonstration videos of 67 pre-service teachers were analyzed in terms of pronunciation, accuracy, and fluency. The regulatory focus orientations of participants were evaluated using a questionnaire. The results of data analysis, using multiple regression analysis, indicated that promotion-focus orientation was a significant positive predictor for pronunciation, fluency (words per minute, ratio of dysfluency), and accuracy (lexical errors, ratio of error-free AS-units). On the other hand, prevention-focus orientation did not emerge as a statistically significant factor affecting accuracy. However, it was observed to have a negative influence on both pronunciation and fluency. In light of the research findings that highlight the favorable impact of a promotion-focus orientation, suggestions were made for future teacher training programs aimed at enhancing the English proficiency of pre-service teachers.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of input- and output-based planning (reading a sample passage vs. writing a draft) on the oral performance of L2 learners with low-proficiency. In this study, 16 Korean female junior college students of low English proficiency were divided into two different planning groups. The reading group was required to read a sample passage of the given topic, designed to encourage “noticing” and “focus on form” using input enhancement, while the writing group was asked to write a draft of their speech, using only their own L2 knowledge. After such planning activities, both groups recorded their assigned speaking tasks using Kakao Talk. Eight planning activities and oral performances were completed over the period of the semester. In order to compare the effects of input- and output-based planning on the improvement of overall proficiency, pre- and post-tests, in which the students produced the same narratives, were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Furthermore, this study explored any difference in speaking performance after each type of planning and what the learners were actually doing during planning time. The results showed that output-based planning had positive effects on speaking performance and its repeated practice led to the improvement of overall proficiency.

A continuing challenge for English educators and policy makers in Korea is how to provide the right amount of good English education in an effective and efficient way, to help achieve the needed level of English communication skills. No efforts would turn out successful if the amount and the quality of public English education did not meet people's expectations. In order to plan and implement successful English education policies, it is necessary to figure out what kind of English education and how much of it are needed for Korean people. The current study aims to investigate what levels of English speaking proficiency Korean people perceive they need. The study first reviews some widely-used international English oral proficiency standards, then, compares those with the level descriptions of the Korea’s national curriculum of English. To gather information on the current level of English speaking proficiency, and the expected level of English speaking proficiency, 356 teachers (123 elementary school, 114 middle school, 119 high school), 696 students (179 elementary school, 222 middle school, 295 high school), and 650 parents (164 elementary, 212 middle school, 274 high school) from all the 16 district education authorities, were surveyed and interviewed. The results are presented with the discussion of the future directions of English education in Korea.

This study investigates secondary school English teachers’ perceptions and psychological burdens involved in the implementation of the speaking and writing tests of the National English Ability Test, which is being developed by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The study surveyed 138 secondary school English teachers in Seoul. Although more than half of the teachers were aware of the new test, 18% of the surveyed teachers were not aware of the fact that speaking and writing skills would be assessed in the new test. Also, 22.7% of the teachers were opposed to the productive skills test. More than half (56.2%) of the teachers felt some psychological burdens toward the inclusion of the speaking/writing tests. Although the teachers admitted that serving as raters for the new test would help improve their teaching, the majority of them were reluctant to participate in the actual rating process. The teachers felt that the difficulty of subjective rating and the lack of time for the speaking and writing tests were serious problems in implementing the new test. The teachers were sensitive toward the students’ test anxiety. They also indicated that they feel a strong psychological burden when making judgments on the students' performances. Implications and suggestions are made based on the findings.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the storytelling performance of Korean elementary school students by using the framework of narrative assessment profile (Bliss, McCabe, & Miranda, 1998). Story samples were collected from ten six-grade students during the English storytelling class. The English storytelling class consisted of mini lesson, storytelling activity, storytelling practice and self-assessment. Every class student was asked to practice storytelling in performing three tasks: picture book, family photo, and story stem. In this study, family photo storytelling samples were used to investigate. They were analyzed from six dimensions: topic maintenance, event sequencing, explicitness, referencing, conjunctive cohesion and fluency. From the diagnostic profile of strengths and weaknesses, five types of storytelling performance were presented. The implications for classroom practice and assessment were discussed.

This study examines the effects of Korean EFL learners’ motivation and anxiety on their English speaking skills with a structural equation approach. The participants of the study are 193 college students enrolled in English conversation classes. The questionnaire on learning orientations, attitudes toward the community of native speakers of English, motivational intensity, class satisfaction and anxiety are given to the college students and their English speaking skills are assessed in terms of IATEFL’s criteria: Range, ease of speech, attitude, delivery, and interaction. Reliability and factor analysis are employed to confirm the internal consistency of questionnaire items and the validity of construct, and a structural equation model is run to examine the relation of Korean EFL learners’ affective aspects to their English speaking skills. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) while Korean learners’ attitudes toward native speakers of English and their community do not contribute to their desire to learn English, their learning orientations are found to affect their desire to learn English. (2) class satisfaction and desire to learn English are found to affect learners’ efforts to learn English, while anxiety is found to negatively contribute to leaners’ motivation intensity. (3) both integrative orientation and anxiety have direct effects on English speaking skills, integrative orientation affirmatively but anxiety negatively. Based on the findings, some suggestions are given for effective second language learning and teaching.

This study investigates the nature and the validity of the PhonePass SET-10 test designed to measure test-takers’ English oral proficiency using the automated computer technology. For this study, the data from 84 Korean college students were collected: students’ TEPS scores, PhonePass SET-10 results as well as the results from the survey developed to measure their attitudes toward the new format of English speaking test. Based on the analysis of the study, it is found out that there exists a positive correlation between the TEPS scores and the PhonePass SET-10 results of the participants, indicating that in fact the computer-based automated evaluating system can significantly contribute to assessing students’ English oral proficiency while the items and the purpose of the test administration are relatively limited. It is also reported that the participants of this study showed positive attitudes toward the PhonePass SET-10 with a hope that the newly developed speaking test will help them further their English study.

본 연구는 국악을 통한 말놀이 활동이 다문화가정 유아의 음운인식능력과 어휘력에 미치는 영향을 알아보는데 목적이 있다. 본 연구의 대상은 경기도 안산시에 소재하고 있는 A초등학교병설유치원 만 5세 3명, 만 4세 3명의 다문화가정 유아였다. 국악을 통한 말놀이 활동을 1주일에 2회씩, 16주 동안 총 32회 실시하였고, 매주 생활주제에 맞춰 국악곡을 선정한 후 1차시는 국악 익히기, 2차시는 국악 부르기와 말놀이 활동을 하였다. 연구 결과, 국악을 통한 말놀이 활동은 다문화가정 유아의 음운인식능력과 어휘력 신장에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 이러한 연구 결과를 통하여 다문화가정 유아의 음운인식능력과 어휘력 증진 측면에서 국악을 통한 말놀이 활동의 가치를 발견하고 유아교육 현장에서 다문화가정 유아의 언어능력 향상에 도움을 줄 수 있는 교육활동을 제시하였다는 점에서 의의가 있다.

본 연구는 영어를 외국어로 배우고 있는 한국 EFL 초등 학습자들의 부족한 영어 노출 시간을 연 장하면서 말하기 능력을 향상하기 위한 방안으로 게이미피케이션을 접목한 스마트 러닝 과제학습을 설계했다. 경쟁, 보상, 맞춤형 캐릭터 등의 게임 요소를 영어 교육에 접목한 ‘교육 게이미피케이션’의 일환인 본 연구는 모의실험에서 발견된 개선점들을 반영해 주의 집중 시간이 상대적으로 짧은 초등 학습자들에게 과제 학습이라는 부담을 줄이고 영어 말하기 게임을 재미있게 받아들여 적극적인 게임 참여를 유도하는데 중점을 뒀다. 특히 영어 문장을 만드는데 어려움을 겪는 학습자들이 ‘카카오 톡’의 장점인 즉각적인 상호작용과 음성 녹음 기능을 활용한 실시간 및 비실시간 게임을 통해 실력 향상과 더불어 자기효능감도 고취시킬 수 있는 교육 게이미피케이션의 다양한 시도가 요구된다.

본 연구는 자기평가 활동이 초등학생의 말하기 능력에 미치는 영향을 검증하기 위해 첫째, 자기평가 활동이 학생들의 말하기 능력에 어떠한 영향을 미치는가? 둘째, 자기평가 활동이 학생들의 말하기 능력 수준별로 어떠한 차이를 보이는가? 라는 연구문제를 설정하였다. 이 연구문제를 해결하기 위하여 K시 소재 4학년 2개 학급 62명을 실험집단과 통제집단으로 선정하였다. 실험 처치는 본 연구자가 4주간 8회기에 걸쳐 실시하였다. 실험에 투입한 자기평가 도구는 자기점검식 평정방법과 학습 일지 방법을 혼합하여 본 연구자가 제작하였다. 본 연구에서 사용된 말하기 능력 측정 도구로는 말하기 능력 4가지 하위요소에 대해 3점 척도의 자기점검 평정표로 제작한 자기평가지로 동일하게 사용하였다. 말하기 능력은 교사 채점자 3인이 말하기 내용선정, 말하기 내용조직, 표현 및 전달, 자신감 있게 말하는 태도의 각 요소에 대하여 3점 척도의 분석적 평가를 한 후 그 결과를 평균하였다. 말하기 능력은 실험 전인 사전검사와 8회기 자기평가를 적용한 정보를 전달하는 말하기 실험 후의 사후검사, 그리고 4주 후의 지연검사를 통해 측정되었다. 연구에서 얻어진 결과는 첫째, 자기평가 활동이 학생들의 말하기 능력을 향상시켰으나 지속적인 효과는 나타나지 않았다. 둘째, 자기평가는 말하기 능력 상, 중, 하위 집단간 비교에서 상위집단의 말하기 능력을 향상시켰으나 지속적인 효과는 나타나지 않았다. 따라서 본 연구는 자기평가 활동이 장기적으로 이루어진다면 학생들의 수행능력을 향상시킬 수 있는 바람직한 교육적 대안이 될 수 있를 것이다.