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This review analyzed the trends in conversational AI tools in ELT from January 2013 to November 2023. The study examined 32 papers, focusing on publication trends, tool types, research methods, learning outcomes, and factors influencing their use. Findings revealed a gradual increase in publications, with 4 (12%) from 2013 to 2021, 13 (41%) in 2022, and 15 (47%) in 2023. All studies (100%) were conducted in Asian EFL contexts. Among the AI chatbots, Google Assistant(25%) was the most widely used. Quasi-experimental (45%) and cross-section (41%) research designs were commonly employed. Mixed-method (50%) approaches were prevalent for data collection and analysis. Conversational AI yielded positive outcomes in affective (43%) and cognitive skills (41%). The main factors influencing user perceptions or behaviors were individual (47%) and microsystem layers (31%). Future studies should (a) include diverse contexts beyond Asia, (b) consider the use of up-to-date tools (e.g., ChatGPT), (c) employ rigorous experimental designs, (d) explore behavioral learning outcomes, and (e) investigate broader environmental factors. The systematic review enhances current knowledge of recent research trends, identifies environmental factors influencing conversational AI tools concentrating in ELT, and provides insights for future research and practice in this rapidly evolving field.

AbstractDespite the accumulated body of research on both second-language learners’ attitudes toward varieties of English and teaching English as an international language (TEIL), little research considers exactly how these attitudinal changes take place through TEIL. To address this gap, a Critical Extracurricular Project (CEP) instructional intervention was implemented for five weeks with Korean university students (N= 17) who participated in the Busan International Film Festival, interviewed diverse English users, produced a video, and submitted a written report. Data were collected through reflective essay, semi-structured interview, and in-class observation. Learning tasks and instructional support supplemented by a teacher were significant sources of influence on the participants’ attitudinal changes toward varieties of English. This suggests language teachers, as significant change agents who design and implement TEIL (e.g. CEP), play a critical role in shaping students’ English as an international language experiences and bringing about attitude change toward varieties of English.

The electrochemical characteristics of silver catalyst impregnated on carbon black at the oxygen electrode for an alkaline fuel cell were studied. The electrode containing 30 wt.% silver catalyst showed a current density equivalent to that of Pt catalyst. To improve the catalytic activity and electrode performance, silver was bimetallized with Mg and the alloy state was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. When the atomic content of Ag-Mg alloy was 3:1, it showed the highest current density. A decrease in the corrosion potential at the electrode was found by the catalytic effect of silver. The contact of carbon and silver caused a decrease in the reaction sites of silver and the electrolyte, and hence the dissolution potential of silver was increased. Because the fuel cell was operated at an overpotential of 100–300 mV, the dissolution of silver was not important.

The characteristics of synthesized potassium hexatitanate (K2O·6TiO2) and the manufacturing process of the matrix for an alkaline fuel cell were studied. Potassium hexatitanate was synthesized by sintering a mixture of K2CO3and TiO2at 850 °C, and the thin film type matrix was manufactured with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the binder. The highest wettability, 50%, was obtained for the matrix manufactured using 12 h ball-milled powder containing 10 wt.% PTFE, and it also showed good mechanical properties. The matrix made using K2O·6TiO2whiskers showed 165% wettability. The wettability, bubble pressure and porosity of the matrix made using a 1:2 powder:whisker mixture were 140%, 220 mmHg and 62%, respectively.

The current doubling behavior of alcohols was studied on an n-type ZnO polycrystalline electrode. The increase in photocurrent due to alcohols on the ZnO depended on pH of the solution. The photocurrent was almost doubled in alkaline solution. It was found that the ZnO photoanode dissolved in the neutral aqueous solution but the dissolution reaction of ZnO was completely suppressed in alkaline solution at a sufficiently large pH. From the experimental results obtained by the rotating ring disk electrode and gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses, a mechanism of the current-doubling reaction is proposed.

The photoelectrochemical behavior of p-type boron phosphide (p-BP) in acidic solution was investigated. The p-BP photocathode was stable in sulfuric acid solution under irradiation, and the band gap deduced from the photocurrent action spectrum in acidic solution was 2.0 eV. The gas evolved from p-BP photocathode was hydrogen which was obtained with a current efficiency of ca.100%. The photocurrent was markedly increased by suitable ruthenium treatment of the BP. A photoelectrochemical cell (PEC), Pt(H2)/0.5 M H2SO4(1 M=1 mol dm−3)/ /0.5 M H2SO4/p-BP, was shown to have an open-circuit photovoltage of 0.45 V and a fill factor of 0.25.