Using Humanoid Robots as Instructional Media in Elementary Language Education

Abstract

As robot technologies have developed rapidly, many researchers have tried to use robots to support education. Studies have shown that robots can help students develop problem-solving abilities and learn computer programs, mathematics, and science. However, few studies discuss the use of robots to facilitate language teaching and learning. It is worth discussing whether language education needs robot support, whether robots present an appropriate medium for language instruction, and what challenges must be overcome. This paper reviews past studies of educational robots, and we designed tested five language instruction scenarios using a teacher and a robot. Based on our empirical experience, we provide suggestions for future research into, and design of, robots for language education.