Using a Conversational Agent for Promoting Collaborative Language Learning

Research in the field of Second Language Acquisition has repeatedly highlighted the importance of conversational interactions between students working together in small groups. Particularly, peer dialogue can play a vital role in intellectual development and language acquisition. Thus, we argue that the use of a conversational agent, designed to advance peer interaction and cognitive activity, would enhance learning outcomes related to language learning. In this work, we describe the design of a web-based collaborative system that utilizes a configurable conversational agent, which facilitates and triggers the learners' discussion. We also present an exploratory case study that was conducted in an English language school. Our analysis indicates a positive effect regarding the usability and user acceptance of the system.