AI 펭톡을 활용한 초등영어 학습부진아 지도 사례 연구

A case study of teaching English for elementary underachievers using the AI Pengtalk

The present study explores the effectiveness of an AI chatbot specifically applied to teach English to underachieving elementary students. The AI Pengtalk, released in April 2021, was expected to be widely used in public elementary schools nationwide. However, this English educational app does not seem to have gained significant traction, likely due to its specific limitations. Recognizing the potential challenges that teachers may encounter when employing the app in elementary school English classes, this case study investigates the applicability of AI Pengtalk particularly for six underachievers in an elementary school setting. The study reveals a novelty effect, providing strong evidence that calls for teachers’ intentional engagement when implementing the app with students. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that AI Pengtalk has positive impacts on students’ English achievement and affective domains such as belief, motivation, and interest in English learning. The results of this study are expected to foster teachers’ deeper understanding when applying digital tools like AI chatbots in the elementary school context.