Faculty Publications and Conference Presentations

This paper evaluates the implementation of a chatbot in an elementary Japanese language course at a tertiary institution, examining its benefits and challenges through detailed student feedback. Utilising a mixed-methods approach that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative research methods, data was collected over several months from 40 students enrolled in a zero-beginner Japanese course at a university. The chatbot, designed to function as a private tutor, assisted students with vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation and provided an interactive and personalised learning environment. Student feedback was systematically categorised and analysed to identify trends and patterns in usage and satisfaction. The results indicate that while chatbots offer personalised and interactive learning experiences, their effectiveness is contingent on the accuracy of responses and their ability to adapt to the evolving needs of students as their proficiency increases. The study underscores the need for enhanced features, such as improved contextual understanding and accuracy, to support students’ progress in language learning. The study identifies several challenges, such as ensuring the accuracy of chatbot responses by constantly monitoring the information provided in relation to learners’ proficiency levels. These challenges highlight areas for future improvement and research.