Effectiveness of artificial intelligence integration in legal English vocabulary instruction: a case study at Hanoi Open University

Abstract

Abstract: This paper investigates the effectiveness of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in
teaching Legal English vocabulary at Hanoi Open University. The study analyzes feedback from 245
third-year students of the Faculty of Law at Hanoi Open University during the 2024-2025 academic
year regarding the use of AI tools in Legal English vocabulary instruction. The integrated AI tools
include ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, which were utilized to assist in explaining legal
terminology, providing contextual examples, suggesting collocations, and comparing semantic
differences between terms. The findings indicate that students highly valued the role of AI in
supporting vocabulary learning and demonstrated active learning engagement. Comparative analysis
revealed that students who frequently used AI tools reported higher self-perceived progress in
acquiring specialized vocabulary (M = 4.23) compared to infrequent users (M = 3.75). The study
demonstrates the effectiveness of AI integration in Legal English instruction and provides
recommendations for implementing AI technology at the Faculty of Law, Hanoi Open University.
Key words: Legal English; vocabulary; terminology; artificial intelligence; task-based learning