Abstract:

The primary purpose of this study is to introduce two case studies to ascertain the effectiveness of a BL/FL-training program that incorporated the AI speakers such as Google Home Mini and Amazon Alexa, including 21st-century learning skills for developing international cultural awareness. The participants were 82 native speakers of Japanese – 59 first-year students and 23 third-year students, all majoring in economics. All of the students were highly involved in flipped learning lessons for eight months. Pre-test and post-test TOEIC scores, as well as post-training survey results, were used in evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program. Only third-year students took pre-and-post OPIC Speaking tests to check their oral proficiency. In the first case study, the first-year students were divided into two groups where AI speakers were used or not for eight months with flipped lessons. Those students (n=29) who studied English with smart speakers outside of the classroom outperformed the group with nonusers of AI speakers (n=30) on a post-course TOEIC test. In the second case study, 23 third-year students studied 21st century-skills through CLIL while using AI speakers outside of class. Gains in both TOEIC scores and Opic Speaking scores indicated the flipped-learning program incorporating AI speakers improved the students’ overall English skills, especially listening comprehension. The results of a final survey revealed that participants responded favourably toward the smart speakers and felt it revolutionized their English learning. The results suggest the integration of AI, along with social media and 21st-century skills, may be an effective way to improve the English language proficiency of adult ELT learners.

Keywords:

AI, Flipped learning, CLIL, TOEIC, OPIC speaking test.