Enhancing EFL Learning of Elementary School Students through Human-Robot Interaction

Abstract

This study explored the potential for using in-house built teaching assistant robots in elementary school classrooms for the instruction of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Both hardware and software design for such an innovative English program via interactions with the robot was included in this study. This Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), based on the results, led to better pedagogical effects on learning, This paper provides not only new directions for EFL instructors but also instructional design guidelines that other researchers can follow to create an innovative and enjoyable English classroom that employs an interactive robot as an assistant for enhancing English acquisition while simultaneously reducing the pressure and teaching load of the English instructors.