MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE HANOI UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY DUONG NGOC HAN EXPLORING CHATBOT AI IN IMPROVING VOCATIONAL STUDENTS’ ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION MASTER THESIS IN ENGLISH LINGUISTICS Hanoi, 2024 MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE HANOI UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY DUONG NGOC HAN EXPLORING CHATBOT AI IN IMPROVING VOCATIONAL STUDENTS’ ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION Major: English Linguistics Code: 8220201 MASTER THESIS IN ENGLISH LINGUISTICS SUPERVISOR: Dr. Hoang Ngoc Tue Hanoi - 2024 i DECLARATION BY THE AUTHOR I hereby declare that I legitimately write this thesis. To the best of my comprehension, this thesis does not include any previously published information by anybody else, unless proper attribution has been made. Nothing in this thesis, whether in English or another language, has been accepted as a component of the requirements for any other higher education non-degree program.
This is a true copy of the thesis, including final revisions. Date:_____________________ Signature of the student Duong Ngoc Han ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to thank my adviser sincerely, Dr. Hoang Ngoc Tue, for his unwavering support of my thesis as well as his patience, inspiration, and vast knowledge. His advice was helpful to me from the very beginning to the end while I conducted my research and wrote my thesis.
Besides, thanks to my parents for their parental presence and unwavering advice. They have continually supported me financially to complete this education as well as for their encouragement and inspiration throughout my life. I am deeply grateful to my husband, whose unwavering support has been instrumental throughout this journey. Without him, I would not have been able to navigate the challenges of sleepless nights and tight deadlines.
Moreover, I would like to give a big thanks to my beloved teacher, Ms Le Duc Hanh, who inspired me a lot in my research career. Finally, my sincere gratitude goes out to my two feline friends whose playful antics and comforting presence have provided me with entertainment and emotional support during this demanding process. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION BY THE AUTHOR. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
v LIST OF FIGURES. vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. Aim(s) and objectives of the study. Scope of the study.
Significance of the study. Structure of the thesis. 7 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEWS. Pronunciation in English teaching and learning.
Definition of Pronunciation. Aspects of Pronunciation. The importance of pronunciation. Traditional Approaches for Teaching Pronunciation.
Innovative Approaches for Teaching Pronunciation .Overview of chatbot AI .Conceptual framework: L2 motivation self-system (L2MSS) .Research method: quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test .DATA COLLECTION TOOLS. 34 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. Findings from the questionnaire survey. Findings from test data.
Findings from interviews. Benefits of incorporating chatbot AI. Challenges of incorporating chatbot AI. 69 v ABSTRACT With the rapid expansion of our globalized world, artificial intelligence has made remarkable strides, and its impact on education is becoming increasingly undeniable.
Considering this, the current study attempts to find out how well vocational students enrolled in a Hanoi college can pronounce words correctly in English using Chatbot AI named MissionFluent (https://missionfluent. The study included 60 individuals at level A1, using a quasi-experimental research approach. Surveys and interviews were conducted to gather information about their opinions and experiences with the chatbot AI intervention. When comparing the experimental group's English pronunciation to that of the control group, the study's findings show a considerable improvement.
Research findings indicate that the integration of AI technology plays a significant role in enhancing students' motivation to engage in learning English pronunciation. Moreover, it has been observed that AI not only boosts students' motivation but also contributes to the enhancement of their pronunciation skills. The utilization of AI tools in language learning has shown promising results in fostering students' enthusiasm for mastering English pronunciation, leading to notable improvements in their overall pronunciation proficiency. This highlights the positive impact of AI on students' motivation levels and their ability to effectively develop their pronunciation skills in the English language.
With a particular focus on improving English pronunciation, this study contributes to the limited number of research on the application of chatbot AI in vocational education. This research discusses the possible advantages chatbot AI may provide for enhancing vocational students' English speech abilities. Therefore, it is noteworthy that issues with MissionFluent usage and its financial consequences were noted. In conclusion, the study highlights the critical need for incorporating innovative technologies vi into vocational language learning programs and the potential benefits of chatbot AI technology to enhance vocational students' English pronunciation skills.
It highlights the need for educational institutions to embrace such technological advancements to create more effective and engaging learning environments for vocational students, ultimately equipping them with the necessary language skills to thrive in their chosen professions. vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 AI Chatbot MissionFluent interface .2 Dörnyei’s process model of L2 motivation self-system.1 Students self-assess their English ability .2 English pronunciation motivation of students before using Chatbot AI .3 Reasons for motivation to improve English pronunciation .4 English pronunciation motivation of students after using Chatbot AI .5 Students' expectations regarding chatbot AI that enhances English pronunciation .6 Students' confidence in English pronunciation after using Chatbot AI .7 Students' improvement in English pronunciation after using Chatbot AI .8 The MissionFluent Chatbot's AI familiarity among students.9 Recommendations from students for other vocational students to use AI chatbots to study English pronunciation .10 Students' scores of the control group from the Pre-test and Post-test .11 Students' scores of the control group from the Pre-test and Post-test .12 Student percentages of pre-and post-test scores. 46 viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AI Artificial intelligent L2 Second language acquisition CEFR Common European Framework of Reference for Languages L2MSS L2 motivational self-system 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale Technology has revolutionized the field of English language teaching, particularly in the realm of speaking and pronunciation.
In today's digital era, educators and language learning platforms are leveraging advanced tools to augment language acquisition. The integration of virtual classrooms, video conferencing, and interactive language apps have become commonplace, enabling learners to engage in real-time practice and enhance their pronunciation skills (Smith, 2018). These technological advancements offer students access to authentic resources and the opportunity to engage in online conversations with native speakers, fostering an immersive language learning experience (Jones et al. Moreover, learners can receive immediate feedback on their pronunciation, thanks to speech recognition software and AI-powered language tutors (Johnson & Smith, 2020).
These tools analyze learners' accents and provide personalized guidance, empowering them to refine their spoken English skills. By incorporating technology into English language teaching, educators create a dynamic and flexible learning environment that promotes learner autonomy and confidence in navigating the complexities of spoken English (Brown, 2017). Traditional methods of teaching pronunciation often fall short of providing personalized feedback and consistent practice. However, the emergence of chatbot AI presents an innovative approach to address these limitations.
AI chatbots create personalized interactive exercises that mimic real-life conversations, offering learners exclusive chances to enhance their pronunciation skills through targeted practice (Yuan, 2023). 2 While the potential of chatbot AI in various educational contexts has been recognized, its application within vocational education settings remains relatively unexplored. Therefore, it is crucial to explore how chatbot AI can enhance English pronunciation among vocational students. This research endeavor holds significance for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers who seek effective strategies to optimize language learning outcomes (Smith & Johnson, 2021).
By investigating this area, we can identify potential solutions that specifically address the challenges faced by vocational learners. Understanding the impact of chatbot AI on English pronunciation in vocational education settings can lead to the development of tailored interventions and instructional approaches. For example, regular pronunciation assessments using chatbot AI can be implemented to identify areas of improvement for learners (Yang et al. These assessments can evaluate individual sounds, stress patterns, intonation, and rhythm.
Based on the assessment results, targeted interventions can be developed. During pronunciation practice, chatbot AI can provide immediate error correction and feedback, highlighting specific pronunciation errors and offering explanations or alternative pronunciations to help learners correct their mistakes (Ruan et al. Additionally, chatbot AI can create personalized learning paths for individual learners based on their specific pronunciation needs and goals, analyzing their performance and progress to adapt instructional content and provide targeted practice materials (Rusmiyanto et al. It is important to note that these interventions and instructional approaches should be used alongside qualified instructors who can provide guidance, support, and additional feedback to learners.
The chatbot AI should serve as a supplementary tool to enhance pronunciation instruction in vocational education settings. 3 These interventions can cater to the unique needs and goals of vocational students, ultimately improving their language proficiency and employability prospects (Khare et al. Additionally, insights gained in this research can inform the design and implementation of future language learning technologies, ensuring their effectiveness and relevance in vocational education. In Vietnam in recent years, AI has been rapidly growing with strong government support and collaboration between academia and industry.
The country has taken steps to encourage AI research, innovation, and adoption. Consequently, there has been an increase in AI research institutions and businesses, focusing on various domains such as healthcare, agriculture, finance, and manufacturing. They utilize AI technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision to create tailored solutions. Collaboration between academia and industry plays a vital role, as universities and research institutes actively engage in AI research, talent development, and training programs.
Generally, Vietnam is on a positive trajectory towards becoming a regional AI hub. Sustained efforts and investments, along with government support, the emergence of startups, and collaboration between academia and industry, contribute to economic growth and technological advancement. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in education for purposes other than administrative work. For example, it is being utilized to automate grading and assessment procedures, which saves teachers time and produces reliable evaluations.
AI algorithms can evaluate student responses and provide immediate feedback, allowing students to track their progress and make required corrections. 4 Artificial Intelligence is used in language learning programs to improve pronunciation practice and give users immediate feedback. Through an immersive and interactive method, learners can enhance their language acquisition and fluency by merging AI algorithms with speech recognition technology. Overall, the role of chatbot AI in education in Vietnam is steadily expanding, with a particular focus on personalized learning, administrative automation, intelligent tutoring systems, and language learning applications.
Despite the existing challenges, the potential advantages of AI in augmenting teaching and learning experiences are substantial. To further propel the growth of AI in education in Vietnam, continuous investment and support in AI technology and infrastructure are essential. In this study, an AI chatbot named MissionFluent (https://missionfluent.com/) will be employed to investigate the effects of AI on English language learning, specifically concerning pronunciation. MissionFluent offers an interactive platform where learners can practice speaking English, receive pronunciation feedback, and improve their language skills.
Through this research, the study aims to uncover the precise impact of AI technology, represented by MissionFluent, on English language acquisition and pronunciation proficiency. To summarize, technology has significantly transformed the teaching of English, particularly in the domain of speaking and pronunciation. The integration of virtual classrooms, video conferencing, interactive language apps, speech recognition software, and AI-powered language tutors has revolutionized language acquisition. By embracing these advancements, educators create a dynamic and immersive learning environment that empowers learners to refine their spoken English skills.
Exploring the potential 5 of chatbot AI in vocational education settings is crucial for enhancing language learning outcomes and addressing the specific challenges faced by vocational students. Through this exploration, we can pave the way for innovative solutions that optimize English pronunciation instruction and empower vocational learners to succeed in their language learning journey. Aim(s) and objectives of the study The research aims to assess the impact of utilizing chatbot AI as a pronunciation training tool, focusing on its strengths and weaknesses.