Trends, Research Issues and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Language Education

• Published in: Educational Technology ＆ Society Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 112 - 131
• Main Authors: Huang, Xinyi, Zou, Di, Cheng, Gary, Chen, Xieling, Xie, Haoran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palmerston North International Forum of Educational Technology ＆ Society 01.01.2023; International Forum of Educational Technology & Society, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan; International Forum of Educational Technology & Society
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Audio Equipment; automated writing evaluation; bibliometric analysis; Bibliometrics; Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer assisted language learning; Computer mediated communication; Educational aspects; Educational technology; Educational Trends; English; English for Special Purposes; Forecasts and trends; Grammar; Individualized Instruction; Intelligent systems; intelligent tutoring system; Intelligent Tutoring Systems; language education; Language instruction; Language Processing; Natural Language Processing; Personalized learning; Pronunciation; Pronunciation Instruction; Reading Instruction; Research Reports; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Special Issue Articles; Speech Communication; Speech recognition; Student writing; Teaching Methods; Technology application; Trend Analysis; Tutoring; Vocabulary Development; Vocabulary learning; Web Based Instruction; Writing; Writing Evaluation; Writing Instruction; Hong Kong; Hong Kong, China; Bibliometric Analysis; Language Education; Intelligent Tutoring System; Artificial Intelligence; Automated Writing Evaluation
• ISSN: 1176-3647; 1436-4522; 1436-4522
• DOI: 10.30191/ETS.202301_26(1).0009

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in language education; however, the trends, research issues, and applications of AI in language learning remain largely under-investigated. Accordingly, the present paper, using bibliometric analysis, investigates these issues via a review of 516 papers published between 2000 and 2019, focusing on how AI was integrated into language education. Findings revealed that the frequency of studies on AI-enhanced language education increased over the period. The USA and Arizona State University were the most active country and institution, respectively. The 10 most popular topics were: (1) automated writing evaluation; (2) intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) for reading and writing; (3) automated error detection; (4) computer-mediated communication; (5) personalized systems for language learning; (6) natural language and vocabulary learning; (7) web resources and web-based systems for language learning; (8) ITS for writing in English for specific purposes; (9) intelligent tutoring and assessment systems for pronunciation and speech training; and (10) affective states and emotions. The results also indicated that AI was frequently used to assist students in learning writing, reading, vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and listening. Natural language processing, automated speech recognition, and learner profiling were commonly applied to develop automated writing evaluation, personalized learning, and intelligent tutoring systems.