ChatGPT, an advanced AI product, has profoundly impacted various aspects of human life, thanks to its ability to generate human-like texts swiftly and effectively. This potential influence has extended to second/foreign language writing, a skill challenging for learners and instructors. This exploratory study delves into ChatGPT's applicability in L2 writing, aiming to assist instructors in diagnosing challenges faced by English L2 writers. It analyzes prompts students enter to seek feedback from ChatGPT and gathers data through a survey questionnaire on students' perceived benefits and drawbacks of ChatGPT in L2 writing development. Fifteen undergraduates in an English reading and writing course participated in the study. They composed argumentation essays, sought feedback from ChatGPT on identified issues, and then revised their essays based on the received advice. The study revealed that participants primarily sought advice from ChatGPT on vocabulary, language use, and clarity. However, students' prompts often lacked specificity, including entire paragraphs instead of precise sentences or phrases. While students welcomed ChatGPT as an immediate source of writing advice, they expressed concerns about its long-term impact on their writing development. Interestingly, students were more willing to revise their drafts when allowed to use ChatGPT. The researcher concluded that ChatGPT's AI capabilities show promise in assisting L2 writing instructors by diagnosing writing challenges and offering immediate feedback. However, careful integration is essential to ensure a balanced approach for long-term writing development.

Abstract Summary
ChatGPT, an advanced AI product, has significantly impacted human life with its human-like text generation capabilities. It extends its influence to second/foreign language writing, and this study explores its applicability in aiding English L2 writing challenges. By analyzing students' prompts seeking feedback from ChatGPT and conducting a survey, the study reveals students primarily sought advice on vocabulary, language use, and clarity. However, prompts often lacked specificity, including whole paragraphs instead of specific sentences or phrases. Although students welcomed ChatGPT's immediate advice, they expressed concerns about its long-term impact on their writing development. Nevertheless, the research suggests that ChatGPT's AI capabilities hold promise in assisting L2 writing instructors with prompt diagnosis and immediate feedback, requiring cautious integration for balanced long-term writing development.

Authors:
Huifen Lin, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Huifen Lin is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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