Tailoring Auto-Peer for Japanese EFL Writing : Enhancing Ethical and Effective AI Integration

We introduce a project to tailor the automated writing evaluation (AWE) tool Auto-Peer for English academic writing classrooms in Japan that includes a prompt feature to guide productive and ethical large language model-based generative artificial intelligence tool use. The project is titled Feedback Literacy and AI Ethics: Leveraging Auto-Peer for Productive Interaction with Generative AI Tools in L2 Writing Education in Japan (JSPS KAKEN grant JP24K04103). Auto-Peer currently offers immediate, personalized automated feedback, fostering student feedback literacy, but is optimized for higher-level ESL learners (Thomas & McCarthy, 2023). In Japan, where many English learners are at foundational writing levels (Mizusawa, 2020), it is necessary to update its algorithms to effectively serve students’ needs (McCarthy et al., 2021). Here we outline our plans to develop Auto-Peer by collecting quantitative and qualitative data through a mixed-methods quasi-experimental design to assess its effectiveness in improving English writing skills and by developing the prompt library feature for generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. By documenting the project’s initial objectives, desired outcomes, and expected challenges, we establish the foundation for the research and development of Auto-Peer and its role vis-a-vis the ethical and effective use of generative AI tools in L2 writing education.