Exploring Chatbot AI in improving vocational students’ English pronunciation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/acoj.231429

Keywords:

Chatbot AI, vocational education, English pronunciation, quasi-experimental, A1 level

Abstract

Thanks to technological development, there has been a remarkable leap in the application of artificial intelligence, especially in education. This paper examines the effectiveness of Chatbot Mission Fluent, an AI chatbot, in improving English pronunciation among vocational students in a Hanoi college. Sixty vocational students participate in an A1 English course hosted in a quasi-experimental research design. After the course, participants were interviewed and asked to complete a survey questionnaire to collect their feedback on the AI Chatbot. The experimental group showed notably better English pronunciation than the control group. This research aims to address the knowledge gap regarding the use of AI chatbots as a tool in vocational education. Through this approach, the potential of AI chatbots in improving English pronunciation is carefully explored and emphasized among vocational students. However, this paper also noticed some difficulties in applying and monetarily supporting Missionfluent throughout the process. Overall, this study focuses on the significance of incorporating innovative technologies into language learning programs and highlights the beneficial potential of AI Chatbots’ application in improving vocational students' English pronunciation while acknowledging AI Chatbots’ drawbacks which were discovered in the procedure.

Author Biographies

Hoang Ngoc Tue, School of Languages and Tourism, Hanoi University of Industry, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Tue is the Head of the School of Languages and Tourism, Hanoi University of Industry, Vietnam. He has been working as an English teacher and an educational administrator at his university for more than 20 years now. He has conducted many studies and projects to improve the quality of English language education at tertiary level. He received his Doctor of Education degree from Queensland University of Technology, Australia in 2015. His research interests include ICT in education, blended learning, English for Occupational Purposes and Teacher Professional Development.

Duong Ngoc Han, FPT Polytechnic College, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Duong Ngoc Han is an English lecturer at Hanoi FPT Polytechnic College and the Hanoi University of Industry's School of Languages and Tourism in Vietnam. In 2021, she graduated from Hanoi University with a Bachelor's degree. Her preferred career is using ICT technologies to learn and teach English. Her phone number is 0859549469, and her email address is ngochan99yc@gmail.com.

Le Duc Hanh, School of Languages and Tourism, Hanoi University of Industry, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Ms. Le Duc-Hanh has been working as an English lecturer at School of Languages and Tourism, Hanoi University of Industry, Vietnam since 2007. Besides teaching, she currently works as the deputy director of center of training and partnership development at her school. She has taken responsibilities of designing, teaching EOP blended program for technical students. Her areas of professional interest include professional development, EMI, and ICTs in education.

 

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Published

03-12-2023

How to Cite

Hoang, N. T., Ngoc Han, D., & Le, D. H. (2023). Exploring Chatbot AI in improving vocational students’ English pronunciation. AsiaCALL Online Journal, 14(2), 140–155. https://doi.org/10.54855/acoj.231429

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