Using Artificial Intelligence Chatbots to Support English-as-a-Foreign Language Students’ Self-Regulated Reading

Abstract

Self-regulated learning (SRL) has been integrated into English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL) reading instruction to enhance students’ reading achievement. Evidence indicates that providing personalized support is critical to SRL. However, providing personalized support is time-consuming and challenging to implement in language classrooms. Although personalized support has been built into many online reading systems, the support is often delivered in a one-way manner, with little chance for follow-up discussions. This innovation in practice introduces an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed to provide personalized SRL support for EFL students in reading. The AI chatbot was designed as a reading companion to facilitate active, out-of-class reading that expands in-class instruction. By giving autonomy to students to engage with appropriate reading materials and receive personalized self-regulated reading (SRR) guidance, the innovation empowered learners to overcome challenges in the reading process and facilitated their use of SRR strategies. The pedagogical values of the innovation were explored from students’ perspectives. Future pedagogical directions for AI-supported SRR instruction is also discussed.