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Presentation Learner motivation and CALL
Positive Psychology–Based Custom GPT Coaching for English Learning and Well-Being: A Qualitative Pilot with Japanese University EFL Students
This qualitative pilot study examines a researcher-developed custom GPT, the “English & Well-Being Coach,” designed to extend positive psychology learning beyond class for Japanese university EFL students. Grounded in Seligman’s PERMA framework (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment), the coach prompts weekly reflection on one PERMA element and responds in CEFR A2–B1 English with brief, empathetic mentor-style guidance (validation, strengths-focused reframing, follow-up questions, and encouragement), ending with a short summary and targeted English feedback. The study aims to increase students’ everyday exposure to PERMA concepts for reframing school/life challenges while providing low-stakes opportunities for meaningful English self-expression. Over a five-week cycle (P–E–R–M–A), participants completed one coaching chat per week and provided transcripts of their conversations. Additional data include a pre-survey on prior AI use/expectations and a post-survey on perceived effectiveness and areas for improvement. The presentation reports students’ perceptions of coaching support, the role of PERMA prompts in shaping reflection, and the perceived usefulness of end-of-chat language feedback, with implications for future CALL research.
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Jason Gold is an Associate Professor at Sagami Women’s University in Tokyo. He holds an M.A. in TESOL and a Doctorate in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education. His research interests involve CALL, as well as Educational and Positive Psychology applications for classroom teaching.
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Gilbert Dizon is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Foreign Language Studies at Kansai University, Japan. His research focuses on computer-assisted language learning, with a particular interest in technology-mediated informal language learning and the use of AI in language education. His work has appeared in international journals such as Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence, Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, and Language Learning & Technology. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of The JALTCALL Journal and as an editorial board member of Computer Assisted Language Learning.