The purpose of this study is to examine learners’ perceptions of AI-based machine translation (MT) in high school ‘Reading British and American Literature’ classes. This research explored how students perceived the impact of MT on their class participation, learning motivation, confidence in English use, and improvement in English ability. The study also examined how the effectiveness of MT use differed according to students’ English proficiency levels. A total of 153 third-year students participated in a nine-week English literature course. Data were collected through an online survey and statistically analyzed. The findings reveal that students showed positive perceptions regarding class participation, learning motivation, confidence in English use, and improvement in English ability. Notably, participation in the English literature classes using AI-based MT was significantly higher than that in other English classes. Analysis by English proficiency levels showed no significant differences in class participation and affective factors (learning motivation and confidence). However, lower-proficiency learners perceived greater improvement in English proficiency compared to higher-proficiency learners. These results suggest that incorporating AI-based MT in English literature classes can create an inclusive learning environment that supports learners across different proficiency levels, particularly benefiting lower-proficiency students in terms of improvement in English ability.
The purpose of this study is to develop a chatbot for Korean language education using Google Dialogflow, aiming to determine its effectiveness as a learning tool and to investigate learners’ perceptions of prototype chatbots. Six Korean language education chatbots were developed for beginner Korean language learners, and 30 beginner learners—15 from Mongolia studying in Korea and 15 from Japan studying abroad—were recruited. These learners practiced Korean conversation with the chatbots for about three weeks, and pre- and post-surveys were conducted. Analysis showed that using the chatbots for conversation practice positively impacted learners’ confidence. However, the chatbots’ overall effectiveness fell short of expectations, as significant results were observed only in confidence among the three investigated areas: interest, confidence, and motivation. Learners were generally satisfied with the chatbots, although Japanese learners rated its effectiveness in improving expressions and comprehension skills low, suggesting a need for further analysis. Both groups found voice chatbots more beneficial, underscoring a significant need for individual speaking practice, especially among Japanese learners. Despite limitations such as the inability to engage in flexible conversations, the study demonstrates the potential of chatbots developed as a learning tool and identifies learners’ perceptions from various perspectives.
The purpose of this study was to examine the use of machine translation by Uzbek-speaking Korean learners, focusing on their usage patterns, attitudes, perceptions, and expectations, as well as identifying the educational implications of using machine translation. An online survey, lasting two weeks, involved 85 Korean language learners from universities in Korea and Uzbekistan. The main findings indicated a high reliance on machine translation for Korean language learning, with the majority of respondents using machine translations to find accurate vocabulary and expressions. Regarding their attitudes towards machine translation, learners mainly utilized it for literal communication, reading, and writing, and were generally satisfied with them, especially as tools for learning spellings and pronunciations. The use of machine translation significantly influenced learners’ confidence, interest in learning, and anxiety reduction. In terms of perception, learners found machine translation effective for learning Korean vocabulary, expressions, and writing, but also perceived machine translators as sources of stress and anxiety. Expectations for using machine translation were high for completing tasks in vocabulary, expression, and writing, but low for improving grammar skills and producing error-free Korean expressions.
In light of the expanding use of technology in education, we attempted to analyze how Korean college students perceived the use of Machine Translation (MT) tools in the classroom. Specifically, this study attempted to explore students’ perceptions of their ability to use MT tools and to measure the reliability of the MT-generated output, along with measuring students’ general sense of confidence in English learning. This research analyzed 183 EFL college students’ responses to an online survey, and a one-way ANOVA was used to test for the differences in the averages of three groups. The results of data analysis revealed that 1) Among beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced learners, those self-identifying as advanced had the highest scores on all the factors measured.; 2) There was a significant mean difference in students’ perceptions of the ability to use MT tools, their beliefs regarding MT’s effectiveness as a learning tool, and affective attitudes towards the use of MT tools between beginner and advanced groups. Based on the findings, pedagogical implications for the effective use of MT tools in the Korean EFL classrooms, and suggestions for future research were presented.
본 연구는 전 세계가 하나가 되는 초연결주의와 다문화로 대변되는 현 대 사회의 흐름에 맞추어 글로벌 문화에 대한 관심과 이해를 넓힐 필요 성이 있다는 자각에서 시작되었다. 본 연구의 목적은 글로벌 문화 교육 을 위한 구체적인 수업 절차와 수업 활동을 제시하고 이에 대한 학습자 반응과 인식을 고찰하고자 하는 것이다. 이를 위해 다양한 미디어에 반 영되어 있는 글로벌 문화 관련 주제를 8개 선정하였고 각 주제별로 학습 자들이 비판적으로 사고하고 이해할 수 있도록 학습자 참여 중심의 수업 을 진행하였다. 글로벌 문화 내용과 수업 활동, 문화 수업을 위한 수업 방식에 대한 학습자들의 반응을 파악하기 위해 설문 조사와 의견 메모 활동을 실시하였다. 그 결과 학습자들은 다양한 미디어를 활용한 수업 방식에 만족도가 높았으며(76%) 이에 대한 이유는 학습자 참여 수업, 다 양한 매체 활용, 체계적인 수업 구성으로 나타났다. 글로벌 문화 수업 내 용과 수업 활동에 대한 만족도는 매우 높게 나타났으며(92%) 이에 대한 이유는 문화 학습에 유익함, 흥미롭고 재미있음, 영어 학습에도 유익함으 로 나타났다. 교수자들은 학습자들의 글로벌 역량을 증진시키기 위해 글 로벌 문화 교육을 위한 다양한 수업 활동의 구상을 위해 정진할 필요가 있다.
This study reports Chinese and Korean university EFL students’ perceptions of and attitudes toward online and face-to-face English language learning modes during COVID-19. Few previous studies have focused on how students thought of online and face-to-face learning experiences of subjects regarding new concept learning and delivery of new contents. Research gravitating around English courses showed students' mixed perceptions. The survey was conducted for 302 Korean and 337 Chinese university students who took communication-oriented English courses. Descriptive statistics and qualitative data analysis were used for analysis. Results indicated that students preferred face-to-face English learning with some specific indications of achieving a stronger help and quality for communicative competence in language. Online learning also benefited students with a sense of both flexibility and independence. Positive components of face-to-face learning for language education might be considered for online education while incorporation features such as flexibility and independence to enrich language education during COVID-19.
본 연구에서는 산학 연구로 제작된 게임 에디터를 (Game Editor, MakersLab)을 활용하여 실제 게임을 제작하는 학습을 통해 소프트웨어 교육에서의 학습 플랫폼의 중요도와 이에 따른 학습자들의 프로그래밍, 게임의 플레이 및 제작에 대한 인식 변화를 연구하고자 한다. 게임 플레이에는 익숙하지만 프로그래밍과 게임제작에는 경험이 없는 학습자들을 대상으로 게임 에디터를 학습 플렛폼으로 활용하여 프로그래밍 교육 및 게임제작 관련 수업을 진행 후, 학습자들을 대상으로 인터뷰 및 설문조사를 실시하였다. 학습자들은 대부분 항목에서 '만족한다'는 의견이 지배적이었고, 게임이 제작되어지는 과정에 대해 체험한 것에 대해 흥미로웠다는 의견을 주었다. 하지만, 게임 제작을 처음 경험하는 학습자들에게 게임 에디터 플랫폼은 복잡한 인터페이스 및 기능으로 인해 조작의 어려움을 호소하기도 하였다. 게임 플레이 후, 직접 게임을 기획과 제작을 수행하고, 타 학습자와 서로의 게임에 대해 논의하는 과정 등은 어렵다고만 생각되는 소프트웨어 교육의 동기 부여와 흥미 유발을 위한 좋은 학습 재료로 활용될 수 있음을 본 연구에서는 확인 하였다.
The act of refusal takes place in everyday lives, but it has been discussed to be a difficult speech act for nonnative speakers. This study seeks to investigate Korean EFL learners’ refusals in extended discourse along with their pragmatic perceptions. Sixteen college students were engaged in oral role-plays with two native English speakers and instructed to refuse the interlocutor’s request. The refusal performances were analyzed using conversation analysis framework with respect to the interlocutors’ different powers and the learners’ proficiency levels. Learners also participated in retrospective verbal reports. Findings depict different verbal and nonverbal features illustrating learners’ sensitivity towards higher status and their different linguistic abilities. Furthermore, their verbal reports revealed that despite their pragmatic awareness, learners were not fully equipped with appropriate L2 pragmatic knowledge.
This study explores the notion of ‘good language teacher’ (GLT) identity in the context of English education in South Korea. While other studies have investigated parents’ and general public preferences for and associations of good language teacher identity with ‘native-speaking’ teachers of English, little research has examined the views of young learners as to what constitutes a GLT. In this study, a survey tool was used to collect student images and descriptions of imagined, good English teachers. A total of 577 young Korean students (K-6th grade) provided their own images and descriptions of good English teachers, both in English and Korean. The findings indicate that student perceptions of GLT identity strongly reflects their immediate learning experience. Contrary to previous studies showing preference for teachers according to ‘native speaker’ or other markers (e.g., race, gender), the study demonstrated no strong preference for native speaking teachers. Instead, factors such as personality were emphasized. This study provides implications for recruiting and hiring practices for English teachers.
This paper investigates the differences in college learners' perceptions and correlations of factors related to willingness to communicate (WTC) in an English mediated instruction (EMI) class. Based on a survey of 50 collegiates (33 males, 17 females) and two rounds of interviews with 15 students, the t-tests showed that there were not many statistical differences depending on learner characteristics except the learners' grade difference affecting their perception of improvement in English. However, depending on the course types, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed statistically significant differences in the categories of present level of participation, expected level of participation with L1 option, question & answer, group collaboration, active listening, and preference to EMI with L1 option. Furthermore, the factors of WTC appeared strongly correlated with their perceptions on the improvement in English, increased confidence, and the extent of learning in the EMI class. According to qualitative analyses of open-ended questions in the survey and interviews, the learners thought group presentations in English were most difficult. They also responded that their low English proficiency, peer pressure, and the student-orientedness in class made them passive and less confident. The learners, however, adopted diverse coping strategies to overcome such difficulties. They were also positive about the limited use of L1 in the EMI class. Implications for EMI are suggested.
This case study explored how formal reading instruction and perceived self-efficacy in English contribute to Korean EFL learners' reading strategy development and reading pract ices. The data were collected from indi vidual interviews with four Korean college students. The fmdings revealed that English reading instruction was teacher-centered and the students spent a lot of time learning and practicing test-taking skills to achieve higher scores in English tests such as CSAT and TOEIC. On the whole, the students revealed negative attitudes such as having low confi dence as English readers and fee ling afraid while reading in English. At the same time, however, they had a strong instrumental motivation for reading in English, achieving a higher score on the high stake exams. Regarding reading strategy instruction and development, very few English teachers seemed to introduce and implement reading strategy instruction in the class. Despite this, the students struggled to develop their own reading strategies according to the type of English reading comprehension instruction that they received. Pedagogical implications and action based recommendations for English educators are suggested.
This study attempts to investigate the perceptions of the Korean and native English speaking instructors teaching English in Korean universities toward the importance of motivational strategies and how far their students feel motivated when their teachers use these motivational strategies. In total, 78 instructors and 220 university students with two different English proficiency levels participated in this study and responded to questionnaires. Both Korean and native English speaking instructors' perceptions toward the importance of motivational strategies have a similar pattern. In the responses of both groups, the top three important motivational strategies are proper teacher behavior, recognizing students' effort and promoting learners' self-confidence The lowest rank-ordered strategy is promoting learner autonomy. Instructors' perceptions of importance and students' degree of motivational state show a similar pattern and there are no significant differences between the lower and higher level students except the difference in the mean scores.