Japanese EFL students’ evolving use of GenAI tools: A two-year study

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Published

2026-05-29
Issue: Volume 2 Issue 1 (2026)
Section: Articles

Copyright (c) 2026 Kasumi Arciaga, Joel Neff, Michael Burri

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors

  • Kasumi Arciaga Email Dokkyo University, Japan
  • Joel Neff Email Utsunomiya University, Japan
  • Michael Burri Email Wenzhou-Kean University, China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29140/jct.v2n1.103489

Abstract

Considering the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, this study examines the extent to which Japanese university students' use of such tools may change over two academic years. Using survey data from 1,034 respondents across two cohorts (2023 and 2024), independent sample t-tests (Welch's t-test) were conducted to compare mean differences in students' GenAI usage. Of the nine applications researched, only three (translation of instructions and textbooks, and AI use in class) demonstrated statistically significant differences, suggesting modest changes within a pattern of general stability. The study contributes to understanding AI integration in foreign language education by discussing how students' engagement with GenAI tools may change over time.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, English as a foreign language, educational technology

Suggested Citation:

Arciaga, K., Neff, J., & Burri, M. (2026). Japanese EFL students’ evolving use of GenAI tools: A two-year study. JALTCALL Trends, 2(1), 103489. https://doi.org/10.29140/jct.v2n1.103489