In facing industry revolution 4.0, utilizing advanced information and computer technology in educational environment is crucial. One of the advanced computation technologies that can be used for learning, especially language learning, is chatbot. Chatbot is a computer program based on artificial intelligence that can carry out conversations through audio or text. This study intends to find out and analyze the types of artificial intelligence in the form of chatbots and the possibility of their use as language learning medium. The data in this study obtained from literature review on chatbot researches, and from observation results on chatbot-based language learning medium developed by the author. The results indicated that chatbots have a high potential to be used as a language learning medium, both as tutor in practicing language, and as independent learning medium. Moreover, research results revealed that language learners are interested in using chatbots because they can be used anytime and anywhere, and they are more confident in learning languages using chatbots than when dealing directly with human tutors.

Autonomous learning has an important role in online learning because teachers cannot directly supervise the student learning process, which makes students themselves responsible for their learning. As an attempt to provide teachers with an alternative autonomous learning medium, this study aimed to use a chatbot-based Japanese grammar learning application namely Gengobot as an autonomous Japanese learning medium. This study applied Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model. The data of this research was collected using a pre-experimental method and distributed a Likert scale questionnaire to 50 Japanese language learners with Japanese language levels equivalent to or less than JLPT level N3. The results showed that Gengobot as a chatbot-based Japanese grammar learning medium is an interesting and innovative medium to support Japanese autonomous learning because learners can decide how they learn using this application to improve their Japanese grammar skills. In addition, Gengobot is a chatbot-based learning medium that is more interactive than other Mobile-based media, which makes learners more interested in using Gengobot as a Japanese grammar learning medium. However, Gengobot still needs further development such as adding advanced grammar content (N2 and N1), adding Japanese pronunciation features (audio), etc.

Transformation of the global learning landscape in twenty-first century is shaped by the uptake of digital technology and social network applications, along with students’ alteration of characteristics, needs, and demands. As an attempt to integrate digital technology and social network application, this study aimed to develop a chatbot-based application integrated with social media LINE to enhance language learning, specifically for learning Japanese grammar. The application, namely Gengobot, is a chatbot-based grammar application, consisting of Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 5 and Level 4 (N5 and N4) grammar materials in three language: Indonesian, English, and Japanese. This study applied design-based research method with Waterfall application development procedure, and a questionnaire to gather feedbacks from fifty-three students regarding Gengobot features and contents. Gengobot application was successfully developed using code igniter framework, MySQL database, and webhook to integrate Gengobot application with LINE messaging API. Application testing confirmed that Gengobot is successfully developed and operated properly. The students agreed that Gengobot materials and features considered to be adequate, useful, user friendly, and suitable to support language learning. Gengobot is also highly accessible since it is integrated to social media LINE, allowing students to adjust its use to their own learning preference and needs, which is suitable to enhance students’ personal learning environment.

This study aims to compare students’ Japanese language grammar ability, between students who practice with a chatbot-based application (Gengobot) with students who do not use the application. This research was conducted using quantitative experimental research methods, with experimental class and control class. The subjects of this research were 22 Japanese language students. The results showed that the grammar ability of students who used Gengobot application as a training medium improved significantly than students who used conventional media as paper works. Factors that cause these differences are the use of cognitive and behavioristic approaches in applications, as well as the use of media, which is more practical and engaging. The questionnaire regarding student responses to the Gengobot application shows positive results. Things that need to be considered in future research are the development of the Gengobot application to be more flexible and to add more material to the application.

This study sought to examine vocational students’ evaluation and feedback regarding the chatbot-based application as an assistive technology in learning basic Japanese in vocational high school and investigate students’ recommendations on the possible future advancement of the chatbot-based application to help students learn the Japanese language better. This study employed a questionnaire and follow-up interview to collect the data, which questionnaire was administered to 100 vocational students enrolled in 8 state vocational high schools located in different regions in Indonesia. The data collected were analysed using SPSS 24, and also tested for reliability and validity. The findings of this study denote the use of the chatbot-based application, namely Gengobot, useful in enhancing students’ basic Japanese grammar learning, improving vocabulary mastery related to vocational terminologies, providing practices for basic Japanese language level exercise, having attractive and interactive features, and fostering learners’ autonomy and independence learning due to its practicality, portability, accessibility, and flexibility. The results also conveyed the practicality problems and confusion in using the application as an application integrated into social media. Hence, further development of the chatbot-based application Gengobot as assistive technology in learning Japanese is recommended. All in all, the chatbot-based application Gengobot as an assistive Japanese language learning application can be concluded as compelling, and is recommended to be used for vocational students to enhance autonomous learning as well as to support distance learning.

AbstrakPada saat mempelajari bahasa asing, pada umumnya kita tentu akan mempelajariya huruf dari bahasa tersebut. Setiap bahasa memiliki fonem yang berbeda-beda. Pembelajaran huruf dan bagaimana cara melafalkannya merupakan pembelajaran dasar dalam pembelajaran bahasa asing. Fonem adalah bunyi terkecil yang dapat membedakan makna, sedangkan huruf adalah lambang bunyi atau lambang fonem. Misalnya, dalam bahasa Indonesia yang membedakan kata "kelas" dan "keras" adalah fonem /l/ dan /r/. Contoh lainnya yang berhubungan dengan bahasa Jepang. Pada penulisan bahasa Jepang, sering kita temukan kata dari bahasa asing yang ditulis dengan fonem yang sama. Misalnya, kata "light" (cahaya) dan "right" (kanan) yang memiliki makna yang berbeda, namun sama-sama ditulis dengan huruf atau lambang fonem yang sama yaitu 「 ラ イ ト 」 /raito/. Dengan kesalahan seperti ini akan mudah sekali terjadi kesalahpahaman dalam berkomunikasi. Terutama, komunikasi verbal.Setelah membandingkan fonem yang dimiliki oleh bahasa Jepang dan bahasa Indonesia, salah satu fonem bahasa Jepang yang tidak terdapat dalam bahasa Indonesia adalah fonem [ts]. Penelitian ini dilakukan di kampus Showa, Gunma University kepada 15 orang mahasiswa Indonesia, yang terbagi 2 suku bangsa dengan 2 bahasa daerah yang berbeda (Sunda dan Jawa). Pada penelitian kali ini, pertama-tama, penulis memperdengarkan sebuah rekaman yang berisikan kalimat yang sama dengan teks yang telah dibaca oleh responden, lalu meminta responden untuk mengulanginya dan kemudian merekamnya. Selanjutnya, penulis meminta responden untuk mebaca sebuah teks, kemudian merekamnya kembali. Setelah data terkumpul dan di periksa oleh penutur asli bahasa Jepang, penulis menganalisisnya berdasarkan teori yang ada. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa bahasa ibu (bahasa daerah) tidak berpengaruh dalam kealahan pelafalan bahasa dikarenakan responden melakukan kesalahan ditempat yang sama dan persentase jumlah responden yang mampu melafalkan dengan baik dan benar, dengan yang tidak, dapat dikatakan seimbang (50:50). Kemudian, huruf "tsu" yang berada diawal kataatau tidak didahului oleh bunyi apapun lebih rentan terjadi kesalahan. Dengan kata lain, bunyi yang keluar sebelum huruf "tsu" berpengaruh dalam membantu melafalkan fonem [ts] dalam huruf konsonan "tsu".

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Japanese lexicon are divided into four categories, namely 1) Wago (words with pronunciation and morphology are in accordance with native Japanese linguistic conventions), 2) Kango (words introduced from China with kanji which are read using on-yomi pronunciation), 3) Gairaigo (words borrowed from foreign language), and 4) Konshugo (words come from combination of three previous categories). Gairaigo is one of Japanese lexicon that has the longest history. Other than Chinese, the first gairaigo came from Portuguese to Japan in 1549. This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of gairaigo use in recent Japanese daily conversation, by examining the use of gairaigo in a Youtube social experiment video entitled "Can Japanese Speak in Pure Japanese?" and four other Japan's trending Youtube videos using transcription method. The results showed that Japanese speakers are rather difficult to speak in pure Japanese and use gairaigo occasionally, which tendency appeared in all videos. There are four reasons found why gairaigo is used frequently, namely 1) providing an alternative tone of discourse; 2) Naming imported things or ideas which did not exist in Japanese culture previously; 3) Often associated with a sophisticated culture, so the modern image is stronger; 4) Availability of more helpful common vocabulary. Along with globalization, contact between Japanese and other languages created more gairaigo, and gairaigo is getting widely used because of its aforementioned advantageous functions. Hence, it is necessary to include gairaigo when learning Japanese.