With emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology, language education has become an increasingly dynamic field where traditional teaching methods intersect with rapidly evolving digital tools, transforming the way English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is taught and learned. This study examines the intersection of cognitive processes and sociocultural contexts in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms, focusing on 79 learners enrolled in a compulsory EFL course at a Japanese university and their self-regulated use of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Translate for writing tasks. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates learners' evolving perceptions and highlights the interplay between their cognitive engagement and sociocultural interactions within the classroom setting. Quantitative data from pre- and post-surveys reveal learners’ attitudes towards AI-assisted writing, while qualitative insights are drawn from their self-reported experiences. Findings indicate that while the students perceived that their writing outcomes have improved by using AI tools for editing, the role of instructors for providing proper guidance and training on the technology, as well as the collocative learning with peers cannot be replaced by the AI tools. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have quietly assumed a larger role in learning foreign languages over the past several years. As the quality of online machine translation (MT) has improved in recent years, how to use it for language learning purposes seems to be the “elephant in the classroom” (Loock, Lechauguette, & Holt, 2022), with a lack of explicit dialogue between teachers and learners regarding if, when, and how it should be used. There is evidence that students use online MT tools as a part of their language learning repertoire, but many teachers are still hesitant to allow them to be used officially (Ducar & Schocket, 2018; Lee, 2022). Similarly, an emerging new chat bot called ChatGPT was released in late 2022, causing an uproar in education with many institutions considering banning its usage over concerns that students may use it to cheat on exams and assignments. While research has started to identify areas where MT has the potential to be useful for L2 writing, particularly with lexical and syntactic aspects, as an emerging technology, the affordances of ChatGPT in L2 writing remain largely unexplored. It has the potential to encompass some elements associated with MT such as the ability to translate text on request, but it tends to do this at a more holistic level when compared to standard MT tools even including relevant citations and references according to designated formats. To raise language learners’ awareness of the pedagogical uses and potential pitfalls of AI tools, approximately seventy Japanese learners of English at a university in Japan were investigated for their current perspectives and practices with Deep-L and ChatGPT, as well as the impact of targeted training in their use. Strategies that focus on using these tools for planning, writing, and editing were provided. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including: (1) learner attitude surveys; (2) analysis of writing tasks; and (3) observation of strategies used by learners. The processes and products of learners’ writing in English were analysed in terms of content, structure, and lexical and syntactic complexity and accuracy. The study seeks to explore the differences in attitudes towards academic English writing, MT, and ChatGPT, as well as examining both the writing processes and learners’ completed essays. Data collection is still ongoing, and preliminary results will be discussed in terms of the shifts in learner attitudes and behavior with Deep-L and ChatGPT as a result of the training.    References Ducar, C., & Schocket, D.H. (2018). Machine translation and the L2 classroom: Pedagogical solutions for making peace with Google translate. Foreign Language Annals, 51(4), 779–795. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12366 Lee, S.-M. (2022). L2 learners’ strategies for using machine translation as a personalized writing assisting tool. In J. Colpaert, & G. Stockwell (Eds.), Smart CALL: Personalization, Contextualization, & Socialization (pp. 184–206). London: Castledown Publishers.  https://doi.org/10.29140/9781914291012-9 Loock, R., Lechauguette, S., & Holt, B. (2022). Dealing with the “elephant in the classroom”: Developing language students’ machine translation literacy. Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 5(3), 118–134. https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v5n3.53si2 

AI tools have gradually taken on a greater role in foreign language learning in recent years. However, there is a lack of explicit dialogue between teachers and students on how to use online machine translation (MT) for language learning purposes, despite evidence of its use by students. Additionally, the emergence of ChatGPT, a new chat bot, has caused controversy in education as institutions consider banning its usage due to concerns about cheating. While research has identified areas where MT can be useful for second language (L2) writing, ChatGPT's potential remains largely unexplored. To address this, a study investigated the perspectives and practices of approximately seventy Japanese learners of English at a university in Japan on the use of Deep-L and ChatGPT for academic English writing, as well as the impact of targeted training in their use. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, writing task analysis, and observation of learner strategies. The writing was analysed for content, structure, and lexical and syntactic complexity and accuracy. The results of the study indicate the shifts in learner attitudes and behaviour resulting from the training. The study sheds insights into raising awareness among language learners about the pedagogical uses and potential pitfalls of AI tools. 

The current research project aims to understand how teachers and students perceive self-directed learning on Chinese language through Moodle. The potential functions of the Learning Management System (LMS) allow students to set goals, select strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes that further facilitate their autonomy. However, how language teachers and learners view the use of the learning methods may be different. Understanding teachers’ and learners’ perceptions toward self-directed learning methods in online language learning contexts may help improve the quality of online education. Thus, this mixed-method research investigated Chinese language teachers’ and university students’ perception of self-directed learning on a dedicated Moodle site by conducting: 1) three open-ended surveys to understand the participants’ attitudes toward self-directed learning; 2) individual interviews with the participants to explore their beliefs, and 3) activity logs on Moodle to record their engagement. The affordance and implications of using Moodle to facilitate autonomy will be discussed in light of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural engagement.