Bringing AI to the extensive-reading classroom: Practical ideas and student feedback

Abstract

This paper introduces practical strategies for incorporating AI (specifically ChatGPT) into extensive reading (ER) classes and discusses data collected from a case study involving 42 students at a private university in central Japan. The study will outline how students were trained to use ChatGPT to help improve their English reading skills, both in class and at home, and then highlight students’ reflections on their experiences with using it. As part of the course, students used ChatGPT to generate short reading assignments for homework, complete with comprehension questions. Students read these AI-generated stories at home and then exchanged them with their partners in the following classes to read and discuss. Examples of assignments and activities that the instructor created with the help of ChatGPT will also be introduced and outlined in this short paper. After introducing and discussing practical ideas for AI-generated activities for the ER classroom, survey data that were collected from all students as well as interview data that were collected from a sample of the group will also be examined and discussed. Furthermore, students’ opinions of ChatGPT as well as their concerns about using it will be highlighted and discussed.

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