Learner interactions with Jouzu: A mobile application with conversational characters

Abstract

Jouzu (https://www.jouzu.ai/) is a mobile app that supports Japanese learners through immersive, judgment-free conversations with fictional characters. By integrating large language models (LLMs) and text-to-speech (TTS) synthesis, Jouzu brings these characters to life with distinct speech patterns inspired by Japanese pop culture. The app enables spoken and written interaction tailored to different proficiency levels. This paper examines how learners engage with these characters and how interactive, voiced dialogue enhances vocabulary acquisition and conversational fluency beyond traditional language learning methods.