The Use of AI Chatbots in Role-play Simulations for EFL Teaching

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of incorporating an AI-powered chatbot pertaining to ChatGPT in a simulated shopping role-play environment aimed at enhancing English as Foreign Language competencies. In this experiment, EFL adult learners at a private language school English used the chatbot, focusing on shopping and bargaining communication, participated in roleplay simulations where ChatGPT acted as a virtual party of the conversation, a client, or a salesperson. This trial spanned over a period of 2 weeks. The simulation scenario required students to communicate with the chatbot involving elements such as prices, service agreements, timelines, and terms of trade. This AI-enhanced environment enabled students to engage dynamically in a simulating real-world conversation. Our findings suggest that integrating ChatGPT as a conversational AI Chatbot in role-play simulations offers multiple pedagogical benefits. First, students gained increased fluency in handling shopping and bargaining conversations, as ChatGPT provided instant feedback, adaptable responses, and a non-judgmental space to practice high-stakes communication. Additionally, ChatGPT’s diverse response patterns encouraged the learners to think critically and adjust their participation in real-time, offering authentic interactions. The participants expressed content as they praised ChatGPT’s competence in building shopping-specific language patterns, such as using persuasive vocabulary and responding to objections, arguing that AI tools can be integrated in EFL teaching environment. Overall, the inclusion of ChatGPT in EFL simulations fostered an interactive, and realistic environment that enhanced the learners’ shopping abilities and confidence, boosting their functional English skills, entailing the potential of AI chatbots as effective tools in role-based EFL training.