Proficiency and Preference Using Local Language with a Teachable Agent

• Main Authors: Ogan, Amy, Yarzebinski, Evelyn, De Roock, Roberto, Dumdumaya, Cristina E, Banawan, Michelle P, Rodrigo, Ma. Mercedes T
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2017
• Subjects: Natural language dialogue; Code-switching; Teachable agent; Culture; Computer Sciences
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/discs-faculty-pubs/60; https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61425-0_61
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

With a teachable agent system and a set of linguistically diverse comparison prototypes, we explore questions of proficiency with and preference for local language agents in two sites in the Philippines. We found that students in a higher-performing school produce more English-language math explanations at a faster rate than students in a lower-performing school, who were more proficient in their local language. However, these students preferred the English-language agent, while students in the higher-performing school had equal preference for agents who communicates in the local language. These findings demonstrate the complex interactions between language and engagement in AIED systems.