This mini-review aims to identify major research trends, models, and theories and provide specific pedagogical implications for teaching when using chatbots in EFL classes. This study follows the guidelines of the PRISMA methodology and searches for open-access empirical studies in two reputable databases, Web of Science and Scopus. The results of this mini-review confirm the findings of other research studies, which show that the present research on the use of chatbots in university EFL settings focuses on their effectiveness, motivation, satisfaction, exposure, and assessment. The key contribution of this study lies in its evaluation of the chatbot's potential in applying and integrating the existing theories and concepts used in EFL teaching and learning, such as CEFR, mind mapping, or self-regulatory learning theory. This will address the gap in the literature because no previous review study has conducted such an analysis. Overall, the findings of this mini-review contribute with their specific pedagogical implications and methods to the effective use of chatbots in the EFL environment, be it formal or informal.

Department of Applied Linguistics Faculty of Informatics and Management University of Hradec Kralove Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Department of English American International University Bangladesh Dhaka Bangladesh

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Adam M., Wessel M., Benlian A. (2021). AI-based chatbots in customer service and their effects on user compliance. Electr. Mark. 31, 427–445. doi: 10.1007/s12525-020-00414-7 DOI

Adamopoulou E., Moussiades L. (2020). Chatbots: history, technology, and applications. Mach. Learn. Appl. 2:100006. doi: 10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006 DOI

Allouch M., Azaria A., Azoulay R. (2021). Conversational agents: goals, technologies, vision and challenges. Sensors 21:8448. doi: 10.3390/s21248448, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Bao M. (2019). Can home use of speech-enabled artificial intelligence mitigate foreign language anxiety – investigation of a concept. Arab World English J. 5, 28–40. doi: 10.24093/awej/call5.3 DOI

Belda-Medina J., Calvo-Ferrer J. R. (2022). Using chatbots as AI conversational partners in language learning. Appl. Sci. 12:8427. doi: 10.3390/app12178427 DOI

Çakıroğlu A. (2018). The language acquisition approaches and the development of literacy skills in children. IEJEE 11, 201–206. doi: 10.26822/iejee.2019248600 DOI

Chen H. L., Widarso G. V., Sutrisno H. (2020). A chatbot for learning Chinese: learning achievement and technology acceptance. J. Educ. Comput. Res. 58, 1161–1189. doi: 10.1177/0735633120929622 DOI

Chu S. T., Hwang G. J., Tu Y. F. (2022). Artificial intelligence-based robots in education: a systematic review of selected SSCI publications. Comp. Educ. Art. Intel. 3:100091

Divekar R. R., Lepp H., Chopade P., Albin A., Brenner D., Ramanarayanan V. (2021). “Conversational agents in language education: where they fit and their research challenges,” in HCI International 2021 - Late Breaking Posters. 272–279.

Ebadi S., Amini A. (2022). Examining the roles of social presence and human-likeness on Iranian EFL learners’ motivation using artificial intelligence technology: a case of CSIEC chatbot. Interact. Learn. Environ. 1-19, 1–19. doi: 10.1080/10494820.2022.2096638 DOI

Fitria T. N. (2021). The use technology based on artificial intelligence in English teaching and learning. J. English Lang. Teach. For. Lang. Context 6, 213–223. doi: 10.24235/eltecho.v6i2.9299 DOI

Gayed J. M., Carlon M. K. J., Oriola A. M., Cross J. S. (2022). Exploring an AI-based writing assistant’s impact on English language learners. Comp. Educ. Art. Intel. 3:100055. doi: 10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100055 DOI

Hew K. F., Huang W., Du J., Jia C. (2022). Using chatbots to support student goal setting and social presence in fully online activities: learner engagement and perceptions. J. Comput. High. Educ. 35, 40–68. doi: 10.1007/s12528-022-09338-x, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Huang W., Hew K. F., Fryer L. K. (2022). Chatbots for language learning—are they really useful? A systematic review of chatbot-supported language learning. J. Comput. Assist. Learn. 38, 237–257. doi: 10.1111/jcal.12610 DOI

Ibna Seraj P. M., Habil H. (2021). A systematic overview of issues for developing EFL learners’ Oral English communication skills. J. Lang. Educ. 7, 229–240. doi: 10.17323/jle.2021.10737 DOI

Junaidi B. H., Julita K., Rahman F., Derin T. (2020). Artificial intelligence in EFL context: rising students’ speaking performance with Lyra virtual assistance. Int. J. Adv. Sci. Tech. 29, 6735–6741.

Kim H. S., Cha Y., Kim N. Y. (2021). Effects of Ai chatbots on EFL students’ communication skills. Korean J. English Lang. Linguist. 21, 712–734. doi: 10.15738/kjell.21.202108.712 DOI

Kuhail M. A., Alturki N., Alramlawi S., Alhejori K. (2022). Interacting with educational chatbots: a systematic review. Educ. Inf. Technol. 28, 973–1018. doi: 10.1007/s10639-022-11177-3 DOI

Lin C. J., Mubarok H. (2021). International forum of educational technology & society learning analytics for investigating the mind map-guided AI chatbot approach in an EFL flipped speaking classroom. Technol. Soc. 24, 16–35.

Liu X. (2022). The relation of input, interaction, and output in SLA. Adv. Eco. Bus. Manag. Res. 652, 474–479.

Mageira K., Pittou D., Papasalouros A., Kotis K., Zangogianni P., Daradoumis A. (2022). Educational AI chatbots for content and language integrated learning. Appl. Sci. 12:3239. doi: 10.3390/app12073239 DOI

Mahmoud R. H. (2022). Implementing AI-based conversational chatbots in EFL speaking classes: an evolutionary perspective. Res. Square. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1911791/v1 DOI

Mendoza S., Sánchez-Adame L. M., Urquiza-Yllescas J. F., González-Beltrán B. A., Decouchant D. (2022). A model to develop chatbots for assisting the teaching and learning process. Sensors 22:5532. doi: 10.3390/s22155532, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Merelo J.J., Castillo P.A., Mora A.M., Barranco F., Abbas N., Guillen A., Tsivitanidou O. (2022). Chatbots and messaging platforms in the classroom: an analysis from the teacher's perspective. Available at: https://download.arxiv.org/pdf/2201.10289v1 [Accessed December 24, 2022]. PubMed PMC

Moher D., Shamseer L., Clarke M., Ghersi D., Liberati A., Petticrew M., et al. . (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst. Rev. 4:1. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Mukhallafi T. R. A. (2020). Using artificial intelligence for developing English language teaching/learning: an analytical study from university students’ perspective. Int. J. Eng. Linguist. 10:40. doi: 10.5539/ijel.v10n6p40 DOI

Nghi T. T., Phuc T. H., Thang N. T. (2019). Applying ai chatbot for teaching a foreign language: an empirical research. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Res. 8, 897–902.

Okonkwo C. W., Ade-Ibijola A. (2021). Chatbots applications in education: a systematic review. Comp. Educ. Art. Intel. 2:100033

Panadero E. (2017). A review of self-regulated learning: six models and four directions for research. Front. Psychol. 8:422. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00422, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Pérez J. Q., Daradoumis T., Puig J. M. M. (2020). Rediscovering the use of chatbots in education: a systematic literature review. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. 28, 1549–1565. doi: 10.1002/cae.22326 DOI

Petrović J., Jovanović M. (2021). The role of chatbots in foreign language learning: the present situation and the future outlook. Stud. Comp. Intel. 973, 313–330. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-72711-6_17 DOI

Salamanca C.E.U. (2019). Study and design of a chatbot as support of foreign languages learning within an e-learning platform. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/thesis:17754 (Accessed December 19, 2022).

Smutny P., Schreiberova P. (2020). Chatbots for learning: a review of educational chatbots for the Facebook messenger. Comput. Educ. 151:103862. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103862 DOI

Swestyani S., Masykuri M., Prayitno B. A., Rinanto Y., Widoretno S. (2018). An analysis of logical thinking using mind mapping. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 1022:012020

Wollny S., Schneider J., Mitri D. D., Weidlich J., Rittberger M., Drachsler H. (2021). Are we there yet? - a systematic literature review on chatbots in education. Front. Art. Intel. 4, 1–18. doi: 10.3389/frai.2021.654924, PMID: PubMed DOI PMC

Yang H., Kim H., Lee J. H., Shin D. (2022). Implementation of an AI chatbot as an English conversation partner in EFL speaking classes. ReCALL 34, 327–343. doi: 10.1017/S0958344022000039 DOI

Yin Q., Satar M. (2020). English as a foreign language learner interactions with chatbots: negotiation for meaning. Int. Online J. Educ. Teach. 7, 390–410.