The theme for this meeting will be the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools for use in an ESP/EAP setting. There will be three short presentations by panelists on how these tools are incorporated in their classrooms followed by an open discussion with all those present.
We hope that this meeting will provide helpful insights in approaches to using AI tools in educational settings and look forward to a fruitful, rich and lively exchange of ideas.

Presenter 1: SHI Jie and Teo Wen Shen (The National University of Electro-Communications)
Title: Exploring the Impact of AI-Integrated Tools on EFL teaching and learning: A case study of incorporating ChatGPT and DeepL in an ESP/EAP course

Abstract: In the past year, the rapid advancement of AI technology has generated significant attention in society. Its implications in tertiary education have triggered debates due to the powerful capabilities it possesses and the absence of well-established social and academic regulations. Consequently, the integration of AI-integrated tools into classroom instruction has also become a topic of controversy. These tools, such as ChatGPT and DeepL, offer technological strengths but also raise social, ethical, and security concerns, which has contributed to many teachers’ reservations. However, the critical stance towards AI integration in teaching may impede students’ learning process by intentionally avoiding the tools useful for academic improvement. The objective of this study is to investigate students’ experiences using ChatGPT and DeepL in an ESP/EAP course at a Japanese university of science and engineering. Specifically, it focuses on how these tools are used to enhance students’ reading and writing skills. The study reports various strategies employed by the teacher, including vocabulary expansion, language enrichment, and genre recognition and analysis. In addition, the study examines both the advantages and limitations of utilizing AI-integrated tools to support the teaching of research-based reading and writing. Moreover, the study highlights the potential drawbacks associated with students’ excessive reliance on AI technology and underscores the need for a responsible and integrated approach leveraging the expertise of English teachers. With a carefully designed pedagogy, teachers can unlock the full potential of AI-integrated tools, thereby fostering students’ effective and sustainable learning experiences.

Presenter Bio: SHI Jie is a professor at the National University of Electro-Communications (UEC) in Tokyo. She is an English teacher in TESOL and an action researcher in ESP/EAP in EFL context, Sociolinguistics, AI-Assisted Machine Translation, and Cognitive Education. She is also an Adjunct Professor of EAP at the Graduate School of Science at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. She is currently a member of and an advisor for the ESP SIG Kanto Chapter of JACET and is affiliated with several domestic and international associations including TESOL International and the Asia Association of ESP for which she serves as a representative of EAP of ESPIS and a vice-president respectively.

Presenter 2: Robert Gommerman (Chuo University)
Title: Explorations in the use of ChatGPT for brainstorming and topic refinement in the prewriting process of an English for Specific Academic Purposes writing class

Abstract: In an English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) writing class, students produce written work on topics focused on their field of study, using language in a way that is specifically oriented to the language commonly used in their discipline. However, this can be a challenge for students in the early stages of their studies, as they have not completely internalized the important concepts within their chosen area. This can be a significant obstacle for some students, especially during the brainstorming and topic selection stage of the writing process. This presentation explores the use of generative artificial intelligence as a tool for brainstorming ideas and facilitating topic development in an ESAP writing class. By leveraging large language models, such as ChatGPT, students can generate a wide range of creative ideas and potential research topics within a specific field of study. This information can then be used as a basis for further reading and research, helping students overcome a difficult step in the writing process. This presentation also examines the limitations and ethical considerations associated with the use of generative AI in this way, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, human judgment, and responsible use of the technology. While generative AI shows promise in facilitating brainstorming and topic development, it should be used as a complementary tool alongside traditional research methodologies, fostering a collaborative approach that combines the strengths of human creativity and AI capabilities to enhance academic writing processes.

Presenter Bio: Robert Gommerman is a specially appointed assistant professor in the faculty of global management at Chuo University, where he is in charge of the academic English writing program and coordinator of the self access student support center. His research interests are in vocabulary instruction, student performance in an English Mediated Instruction program, and methods for writing assessment in large on-demand English classes. He is currently working on a PhD in computational linguistics.

Presenter 3: Shin’ichi Hashimoto (Tokai University)
Title: Exploratory use of ChatGPT as an aid to understanding answers to standardized English test questions in a graduate level ESP course

Abstract: Guidelines for the use of generative AI tools are taking shape in various forms across many aspects of our lives. In order to familiarize students with the beneficial aspects as well as the limitations of such tools, hands-on experience with specific learning content is one of the fastest ways to achieve this. The presenter will outline ways in which ChatGPT is used in graduate school Engineering English classes and report student feedback gathered through an in-class survey on their thoughts about the experience.

Presenter Bio: Shin Hashimoto is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Tokai University. He has been involved in tertiary-level English education for over 20 years and his main academic interests are in Computer-Aided Language Learning (CALL). Collaborative Education and ESP.

This presentation is supported by the IGTEE research station of UEC Tokyo.