(1) GermanChat in Language Education

Mr Alexander KLING [Staff Profile]

Lecturer (German)

Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

GermanChat: A German Chatbot for Enhanced Oral Language Practice

Language instruction often underemphasises oral skills, leaving learners with limited opportunities for authentic practice. To address this gap, we developed a German chatbot that functions as a simulated conversation partner, leveraging generative AI to provide both text-based and voice-based interactions. The chatbot engages students in beginner-friendly dialogues—such as introductions, hometown discussions, and everyday topics—by initiating exchanges, responding to questions, and sustaining conversation flow.

 

In addition to promoting conversation, the system offers level-appropriate corrections in vocabulary and grammar, aligned with CEFR A1 proficiency, with optional translation support to aid comprehension. Students benefit from flexible, low-stakes practice at their own pace, boosting confidence and encouraging active participation. Integration into coursework allows instructors to assign oral tasks as homework, extending practice beyond the classroom.

 

By combining authentic dialogue, adaptive feedback, and immediate correction, the chatbot enhances fluency, fosters learner autonomy, and creates a supportive environment for developing German language skills.

 

About the Featured Speaker

Mr Alexander KLING received his Master's degrees in Chinese Studies and History from Free University Berlin, Germany. After obtaining his certificates for Teachers of German as a Foreign Language, he was a German teacher for various language schools in Berlin, Germany. Mr KLING was a German lecturer at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an, China and a German teacher and teacher-trainer at Goethe-Institut China in Beijing. Before joining CUHK, he was the Director of the Goethe Language Centre at Sichuan International Studies University in Chongqing, China.

 

(2) AI-Powered Flashcard Platform in Chemistry Education

Dr Sam HAU [Staff Profile]

Lecturer

Department of Chemistry

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

 

A Next‑Generation GenAI‑Powered, Flashcard‑Driven Language Tutoring Platform in Action

Chemistry is far more than words and symbols in textbooks; the countless chemicals that surround us deeply embed it in our everyday lives. Despite this relevance, many students perceive chemistry as a complex subject. This challenge is especially evident for learners who face language barriers, such as those transitioning from non-English-medium education systems into an English-medium academic environment. Adapting to new disciplinary language and learning conventions can be time‑consuming, frustrating, and demotivating, often reducing students' engagement and confidence.

 

To address these issues, this project proposes the development of gamified, flashcard-based e-learning materials powered by a GenAI tutoring system. The AI-enhanced platform will diagnose learners' strengths and weaknesses, offer tailored feedback and explanations, and provide additional language support to scaffold understanding of key chemistry concepts and terminology. By combining adaptive practice, immediate feedback, and game-like elements, the tool aims to increase student motivation, support diverse language backgrounds, promote more effective self‑regulated learning, and ultimately improve conceptual understanding and learning outcomes in introductory chemistry and related foundational science courses.

 

About the Featured Speaker

Dr Sam HAU completed his BSc with First Class Honours in Chemistry from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2005 and earned his PhD in Organic Synthesis from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2010. Dr HAU gained valuable experience in X-ray Crystallography and Structural Characterisation during his four years as a postdoctoral fellow at CUHK. In 2019, he joined CUHK as a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. Dr HAU is passionate about developing innovative teaching methods and exploring the use of AI in chemistry education. He is committed to supporting his students and contributing to chemistry through his research and teaching.