South Korea is testing a new generation of robots that can instruct schoolchildren. The robot, which speaks English fluently, will be tested in five primary and middle schools in Seoul beginning in March 2024.
Robot Engkey
A private corporation built the robot, known as Engkey. The robot is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and resembles a restaurant service robot. Engkey can talk in English like a native speaker and may assist students in improving their English vocabulary, conversation skills, and pronunciation.
The function of Engkey
Engkey will work in the classroom as a teaching assistant. The robot will assist kids in developing English abilities such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Engkey may also tailor the learning curriculum to each individual learner, allowing them to study at their own speed.
In addition to Engkey, chatbot applications with virtual assistants are available for students to practice interacting on a number of themes. After rehearsing situations using the terminology and structures they have acquired, the virtual assistant will offer feedback on their English abilities.
The potential of Engkey
The Seoul Office of Education stated that if the trial is successful, more robots would be deployed to other schools. The organization expects that Engkey will assist to improve English in public schools.
However, many English professors are afraid that pupils’ virtual contacts with Engkey may make it impossible for them to speak with actual people. They argue that Engkey concentrates on memorization, which does not assist English learners develop the cooperation and negotiating skills required for effective communication.
Those who favor Engkey feel that the robot would be beneficial in rural schools, which struggle to hire native English-speaking instructors.
The English proficiency ranking of South Korea
According to the EF English Proficiency Index, published by the worldwide education group EF on November 18, South Korea scored 525 out of 800, 23 points better than the global average. South Korea ranks 49th out of 113 nations and territories, falling into the middle-level competent category.
Some perspectives on Engkey:
Professor Kim Mun Sang, head of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology’s Intelligent Robot Center, believes Engkey will help promote a new English teaching approach.
According to Michael Valley, an English professor at Munseong University, Engkey’s emphasis on memorization does not assist English learners develop the teamwork and negotiating skills required for effective communication.
“These robots make students lose the sense of realism and closeness that human teachers provide,” he told me.
Engkey is a revolutionary invention in schooling. However, there are still many differing viewpoints regarding this robot’s chances of success.
