Applications of Robot Assisted Language Learning (RALL) in Language Learning and Teaching

Abstract

Abstract:This study covers a complete overview of the theoretical rationale of application of robots, other instructional inter faces like CALL, MALL, m-learning, r-learning, different types of robots, their instructional roles , their educational activities, the related researches, findings, and challenges of robotic assisted language learning . Since robotic revolution, many investigators in different countries have attempted to utilize robots to enhance education. As many people in the world have personal computers (PCs), in the following years, Personal Robots (PR) may become the next tool for every one's life. Robots not only have the attributes of CALL/MALL, but also are able for independent movements, voice/visual recognition and environmental interactions, non-verbal communication, collaboration with native speakers, diagnosing pronunciation, video conferencing with native speakers, native speaker tutoring, adaptability, sensing, repeatability, intelligence, mobility and human appearance. Robot-aided learning (r-learning) services can be described as interactive and instructional activities which can be interacted and performed between robots and learners in both virtual and real worlds.

Interaction and collaboration in robot-assisted language learning for adults

“…Later, van den Berghe, Verhagen, Oudgenoeg-Paz, van der Ven, & Leseman (2019) concurred that interaction in and with the learner's physical environment is particularly important for language learning, and that this is a key feature of RALL. Aidinlou, Alemi, Farjami, and Makhdoumi (2014) advocated other advantages of RALL, such as repeatability, flexibility, humanoid appearance and expression of emotions. The argument that robots may improve learning of a second language (L2) has been corroborated by e.g., Han, Jo, Jones, and Jo (2008) and Wedenborn, Wik, Engwall, and Beskow (2016).…”

“…The above studies hence suggest that robots may contribute to more effective language learning compared with other practice methods. Han (2012) and Aidinlou et al (2014) summarised early RALL, studies as well as general theoretical and practical considerations for RALL. In two recent extensive surveys of earlier RALL studies, van den Berghe et al (2019) and Randall (2020) made extensive reviews of, respectively, 33 and 79 studies, discussing the methodology, results and limitations of using robots for first and second language learning of vocabulary, reading and writing skills, grammar and sign language.…”

“…However, the type of robot used influences the role that it may be given and how the learning material should be presented (i.e., the teaching strategy), and this is further related to the learners' age. Some previous studies have considered different types of educational robot hardware and software (Han, 2012;Mubin, Shahid, & Bartneck, 2013a;Randall, 2020), teaching strategies and underlying pedagogical theories (Mubin, Stevens, Shahid, Al Mahmud, & Dong, 2013b;Wu, Wang, & Chen, 2015), the role of the robot in the practice (Aidinlou et al, 2014;Han, 2012;Mubin et al, 2013b) and learner age groups (van den Berghe et al, 2019), but this article expands on the question how different robot types should be combined with different teaching strategies and robot roles, in general, and for adults in particular. Belpaeme et al (2018) described similar considerations for preschool children, but since there are few previous RALL studies with adult learners, the goal of the literature survey is to answer the question: What conclusions for RALL for adults can be drawn from how robot type, teaching strategy and robot role have been combined for different learner age groups in previous studies?…”

Robot Interaction Styles for Conversation Practice in Second Language Learning

“…RALL is in general a very new research field, with most work being carried out during the previous decade. A number of existing surveys [3,[6][7][8][9] summarize earlier studies, as well as the general research questions and challenges. It has been known for quite some time that robots can be beneficial for language learning.…”

Faster pedagogical framework for steam education based on educational robotics

“…The fascination of general public and, especially children, with robots has significant social, political, and emotional implications, including for education. Further on, the advantages of using robots in language instruction, known as Robot Assisted Language Learning (RALL) [3] can be transferred to teaching other AHSS subjects. Actually spending time working with real robot-based examples gives the students many opportunities to see the topic from standpoints that are difficult or impossible to convey in a classical textbook-oriented lecture.…”