Using ChatGPT as an AI chatbot in improving EFL students’ writing skills
Many English as a foreign language (EFL) students around the world have spent years learning English and invested a significant amount of time and money enrolling in English courses yet still struggle to write in English effectively. In the Indonesian context, students learn English in both junior and senior high schools, with some starting as early as elementary school. Despite at least six years of learning English in formal education, along with private courses outside of school, they still struggle to convey their messages clearly in English. In improving EFL students’ writing skills, one of the most widely discussed research areas within the field of language learning is the use of written corrective feedback (WCF). Through WCF, English teachers help students notice and understand their linguistic mistakes, which can help them acquire new language (e.g., vocabulary, grammar) and improve their writing accuracy and clarity. Despite current research showing the benefits of teacher feedback, some students express that they may not always understand their teachers’ feedback because of a lack of detailed explanations and anxiety about clarifying feedback with their teachers. Due to time constraints, especially in large classes, teachers may be unable to provide detailed feedback. To address these issues, ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, could help teachers not only provide detailed feedback to their students but also assist students in learning independently at any time. Thus, the current study will explore how Indonesian students can improve their EFL writing skills with the use of ChatGPT. Additionally, it will compare the effectiveness of AI feedback with teacher and peer feedback in improving L2 writing performance. Finally, the research will examine EFL students’ perceptions of using GenAI chatbots in enhancing their writing skills.
Muhammad Ahkam Arifin is a Ph.D. candidate in the Washington State University College of Education’s Language, Literacy, and Technology program. His research interest includes the use of generative artificial intelligence chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT) in language learning.