Exploring ChatGPT's Role in English Language Learning: Insights from Pre-Service Teachers
Main Article Content
Abstract
The proliferation of AI tools like ChatGPT is reshaping the traditional teaching-learning model, expanding the boundaries of classroom learning into new and innovative spaces. This study utilized a descriptive quantitative design using a validated survey questionnaire to explore pre-service teachers' perceptions of ChatGPT's influence on their engagement in English language learning activities. Participants included 451 pre-service teachers majoring in English from two higher education institutions in region 7. The findings indicate a predominantly positive perception of ChatGPT among pre-service teachers. They reported heightened interest, motivation, and active participation in language learning activities facilitated by ChatGPT. Additionally, participants recognized ChatGPT's role in enhancing language proficiency and skills development. Nevertheless, concerns regarding potential over-reliance on AI writing tools, as highlighted in the literature, were noted. While pre-service teachers acknowledged ChatGPT's benefits, uncertainties were expressed about its potential impact on critical thinking and creativity. The results suggest that ChatGPT holds promise as a valuable tool for promoting classroom engagement and enriching language learning experiences. However, further research is needed to explore the impact of AI tools in enhancing students’ macro skills and to identify the best integration strategies for maximizing the benefits of ChatGPT in language education.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
W. R. Alda, G. C. Elejorde, and R. C. Alda, "Techmentoring program: A schoolbased ICT initiative for teachers," J. Res., Policy & Pract. Teachers Teach. Educ., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 82–97, 2022, doi: 10.37134/jrpptte.vol12.2.6.2022.
C. Zhu, M. Sun, J. Luo, T. Li, and M. Wang, "How to harness the potential of ChatGPT in education?," Knowledge Manag. & E-Learn., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 133–152, 2023, doi: 10.34105/j.kmel.2023.15.008.
G. Caldarini, S. Jaf, and K. McGarry, "A literature survey of recent advances in chatbots," Information, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 41, 2022, doi: 10.3390/INFO13010041.
S. Rizvi, J. Waite, and S. Sentance, "Artificial Intelligence teaching and learning in K-12 from 2019 to 2022: A systematic literature review," Computers & Educ. Artif. Intell., 2023, art. no. 100145, doi: 10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100145.
L. V. Kushmar, A. O. Vornachev, I. O. Korobova, and N. O. Kaida, "Artificial Intelligence in language learning: What are we afraid of," Arab World English J. (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL, no. 8, pp. 262–273, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call8.18
OpenAI, "OpenAI," [Online]. Available: https://openai.com. [Accessed: 10-Mar-2023].
F. Y. Wang, Q. Miao, X. Li, X. Wang, and Y. Lin, "What does ChatGPT say: The DAO from algorithmic intelligence to linguistic intelligence," IEEE/CAA J. Automatica Sinica, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 575–579, 2023, doi: 10.1109/JAS.2023.123486.
S. M. Kelly, "ChatGPT passes exams from law and business schools," CNN Business, Jan. 26, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/26/tech/chatgpt-passes-exams/index.html.
E. Loos, J. Gröpler, and M.-L. S. Goudeau, "Using ChatGPT in education: Human reflection on ChatGPT’s self-reflection," Societies, vol. 13, p. 196, 2023, doi: 10.3390/soc13080196.
S. Grassini, "Shaping the future of education: Exploring the potential and consequences of AI and ChatGPT in educational settings," Education Sciences, vol. 13, no. 7, p. 692, 2023, doi: 10.3390/educsci13070692.
R. Alda, "Podcasting tasks and students' aural-oral skills," Int. J. English Educ., vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 244–251, 2018. [Online]. Available: http://ijee.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/19rivika.28065057.pdf.
C. Liu, J. Hou, Y. F. Tu, Y. Wang, and G. J. Hwang, "Incorporating a reflective thinking promoting mechanism into artificial intelligence-supported English writing environments," Interactive Learn. Environ., pp. 1–19, 2021, doi: 10.1080/10494820.2021.2012812.
N. Shandu-Omukunyi, "English first additional language learning and teaching with digital resources," South African Computer J., vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 184–200, 2023, doi: 10.18489/sacj.v35i1.1109.
A. Miller, The Artist in the Machine: The World of AI-Powered Creativity. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2019, doi: 10.7551/mitpress/11585.001.0001.
M. Ward, Victorian Fictions of Computational Creativity. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020, pp. 144–164, doi: 10.1093/oso/9780198846666.003.0007.
M. Hosseini, L. M. Rasmussen, and D. B. Resnik, "Using AI to write scholarly publications," Accountability Res., pp. 1–9, 2023, doi: 10.1080/08989621.2023.2168535.
H. H. Thorp, "ChatGPT is fun, but not an author," Science, vol. 379, no. 6630, p. 313, 2023, doi: 10.1126/science.adg7879.
S. Akgun and C. Greenhow, "Artificial intelligence in education: Addressing ethical challenges in K-12 settings," AI & Ethics, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 431–440, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s43681-021-00096-7.
N. Nazari, M. S. Shabbir, and R. Setiawan, "Application of artificial intelligence powered digital writing assistant in higher education: Randomized controlled trial," Heliyon, vol. 7, no. 5, e07014, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07014.
N. E. J. A. Bowen and N. Thomas, "Manipulating texture and cohesion in academic writing: A keystroke logging study," J. Second Lang. Writing, vol. 50, art. no. 100773, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jslw.2020.100773.
T. S. Chang, Y. Li, H. W. Huang, and B. Whitfield, "Exploring EFL students’ writing performance and their acceptance of AI-based automated writing feedback," in Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. Educ. Dev. Studies, Mar. 2021, pp. 31–35, doi: 10.1145/3459043.3459065.
I. Lee and R. E. Yuan, "Understanding L2 writing teacher expertise," J. Second Lang. Writing, vol. 52, art. no. 100755, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jslw.2020.100755.
A. M. Mahmoud, "Artificial intelligence applications: An introduction to education development in the light of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) challenges," Int. J. Res. Educ. Sci., vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 171–224, 2020, doi: 10.29009/ijres.3.4.4.
A. R. S. Tambunan, W. Andayani, W. S. Sari, and F. K. Lubis, "Investigating EFL students’ linguistic problems using Grammarly as automated writing evaluation feedback," Indonesian J. Appl. Linguist., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 16–27, 2022, doi: 10.17509/ijal.v12i1.46428.
E. Y. Kurniati and R. Fithriani, "Post-graduate students’ perceptions of Quillbot utilization in English academic writing class," J. English Lang. Teach. Linguist., vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 437–451, 2022, doi: 10.21462/jeltl.v7i3.852.
R. Lam and B. L. Moorhouse, Using Digital Portfolios to Develop Students’ Writing: A Practical Guide for Language Teachers. Abingdon: Routledge, 2022, doi: 10.4324/9781003295860.
A. Haleem, M. Javaid, and R. P. Singh, "An era of ChatGPT as a significant futuristic support tool: A study on features, abilities, and challenges," BenchCouncil Trans. Benchmarks, Standards Evaluations, vol. 2, no. 4, art. no. 100089, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.tbench.2023.100089.
M. Farrokhnia, S. K. Banihashem, O. Noroozi, and A. Wals, "A SWOT analysis of ChatGPT: Implications for educational practice and research," Innov. Educ. Teach. Int., pp. 1–15, 2023, doi: 10.1080/14703297.2023.2195846.
News Staff, "Research Finds AI More Popular Among Teachers Than Students," GovTech, Jul. 28, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/research-finds-ai-more-popular-among-teachers-than-students. [Accessed: 21-Mar-2024].
C. Song and Y. Song, "Enhancing academic writing skills and motivation: Assessing the efficacy of ChatGPT in AI-assisted language learning for EFL students," Front. Psychol., vol. 14, art. no. 1260843, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1260843.
W. Marzuki, U. Widiati, D. Rusdin, D. Darwin, and I. Indrawati, "The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students’ writing: EFL teachers’ perspective," Cogent Educ., vol. 10, no. 2, 2023, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2023.2236469.
X. Tang and X. Yang, "Applying large language models in teaching business English writing: A case study of business proposal writing," SHS Web Conf., vol. 181, art. no. 01052, 2024, doi: 10.1051/shsconf/202418101052.
J. M. Gayed, M. K. J. Carlon, A. M. Oriola, and J. S. Cross, "Exploring an AI-based writing assistant’s impact on English language learners," Comput. Educ. Artif. Intell., vol. 3, art. no. 100055, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100055.
J. Huang and M. Tan, "The role of ChatGPT in scientific communication: Writing better scientific review articles," Am. J. Cancer Res., vol. 13, no. 4, p. 1148, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10164801/.
F. Ouyang, L. Zheng, and P. Jiao, "Artificial intelligence in online higher education: A systematic review of empirical research from 2011 to 2020," Educ. Inf. Technol., vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 7893–7925, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10639-022-10925-9.
A. Iskender, "Holy or unholy? Interview with OpenAI’s ChatGPT," Eur. J. Tourism Res., vol. 34, p. 3414, 2023, doi: 10.54055/ejtr.v34i.3169.