Is ChatGPT a Cure all? Demystifying the Impact of Using ChatGPT on EFL Learners’ Writing Skill

The aim of the current study was to demystify the impact of using ChatGPT on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing skill. To this end, ۴۵ EFL male and female students from two language schools participated in this study, selected via convenience sampling from ۶۷ learners based on a placement test. The participants were divided into three groups. In the first experimental group the students practiced writing using ChatGPT, while in the second experimental group, they received writing instructions using ChatGPT and teacher input, and in the third, the participants followed the conventional method was utilized. Before and after the treatment, the participants were subjected to pre and posttest. Finally, the performance of the three groups was compared via one-way ANOVA. In addition, ۱۰ EFL learners from both experimental groups were selected voluntarily to take part in the interview and the qualitative data were analyzed based on the theme-based analysis. The findings revealed that the second experimental group outperformed the first experimental and the control groups, revealing the efficiency of the instruction via ChatGPT along with teacher input. The result of the interview showed that while the EFL students generally hold a favorable view of ChatGPT, they expressed concerns about the use of the artificial intelligence (AI) tool. In addition, they lack the necessary skills to effectively employ it to help them write. This deficiency could be a significant obstacle to the implementation of technology in their EFL writing.

Keywords:

EFL learners , CALL , ChatGPT , Writing Skill