Ritsumeikan University, located in Tokyo, has taken a major stride in revolutionizing English education with the introduction of an innovative AI tool called Transable. This tool combines ChatGPT and machine translation functions to provide English learning support in the university’s English classes. Transable translates Japanese into English, checks the grammar of translated sentences, and even back-translates English texts into Japanese to ensure accuracy.
One of the key features of Transable is its integration with ChatGPT, which offers users the opportunity to ask questions and seek explanations regarding the correctness of translated text. Not only can users request alternative phrases, but they can also have ChatGPT evaluate their own English sentences for errors. This provides students with the benefit of having an English teacher available around the clock.
The brain behind Transable is Kohei Sugiyama, a doctoral student at Ritsumeikan University’s Graduate School of Science and Engineering. Sugiyama developed the tool out of necessity when he had to write an English paper and recognized the need for more efficient translation between Japanese and English. With the support of Studymeter Inc., an IT learning service planning and development company, Sugiyama unveiled Transable in January.
The performance of Transable has been highly praised by Ritsumeikan University, leading to its trial implementation in some of the university’s Project-based English Program (PEP) classes. Tsukasa Yamanaka, a professor at Ritsumeikan University’s College of Life Sciences, emphasized the potential for improving English education through generative AI technology. Yamanaka found that students working in groups were particularly adept at utilizing ChatGPT to plan panel discussions, resulting in improved quality and originality in their work.
Students have responded positively to the introduction of Transable in their classes. Not only has it saved them time during writing, but it has also exposed them to new expressions in English. However, there are concerns that the use of generative AI may hinder students’ learning abilities. To address this, Professor Yamanaka ensures that students do not solely rely on Transable for their class presentations, reminding them that the final presentation should be their own effort.
Nevertheless, Transable offers an opportunity for individuals unfamiliar with English to communicate and participate in complex discussions in the foreign language. Sugiyama has plans to enhance Transable to better cater to learners’ English proficiency levels. Currently, the tool is available online free of charge.
Ritsumeikan University’s commitment to integrating innovative AI technology like Transable demonstrates their dedication to enhancing English education. By combining machine translation and generative AI, students are equipped with a powerful tool that not only improves efficiency but also facilitates better communication and understanding in the English language. With the promising results from Transable’s trial implementation, it opens up possibilities for a more engaging and interactive learning experience for students in the future.
