Revolutionizing EFL special education: how ChatGPT is transforming the way teachers approach language learning

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explored the attitudes of 199 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) special education teachers towards using ChatGPT for language learning. The survey questionnaire, consisting of 21 items, examined attitudes, effectiveness, barriers, and the future use of ChatGPT. The results revealed that participants held moderate attitudes, perceiving ChatGPT as moderately effective with moderate barriers. While no significant differences were found between male and female teachers in attitudes and effectiveness, significant gender differences emerged in the future use of ChatGPT, with female teachers exhibiting a greater willingness to embrace it. Follow-up email interviews with five participants provided valuable insights into strategies, effectiveness, challenges, and inclusivity when using ChatGPT in language instruction for special education students. These findings contribute to implementing and developing ChatGPT as a language learning tool for EFL special education students, emphasizing the importance of gender-inclusive approaches and practical considerations to enhance its efficacy.

La espada de doble filo: beneficios y desafíos que las herramientas de inteligencia artificial pueden traer a la enseñanza y aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera

“…The most commonly used tool in EFL contexts by educators is ChatGPT (see annex 1). It was found in six works (Alenizi et al, 2023;Algaraady & Mahyoob, 2023;Chan & Hu, 2023;Denecke et al, 2023;Gültekin Talayhan & Babayiğit, 2023;Ulla et al, 2023) out of the initial 50 which corresponds to 12% of the total. On the other hand, the least commonly used AI technologies by teachers were Perplexity, British Council Website, Breaking News Website, Randall Cyber, PowerPoint, Facebook, Google Search, Google Scholar, and Google Translate.…”

Artificial intelligence in university education: Systematic review

“…For Russel cited in (UNESCO, 2023), generative arti cial intelligence is an excellent aid for teachers because of its ability to provide content and dialogue with students; however, its development must be controlled and supervised. The same author, referring to teachers, states that "their work will change, but we will always need teachers"; they must also be familiar with the progress of the latest AI technologies and how to integrate them effectively into their teaching practices (Alenezi et al, 2023).…”

Harnessing AI Chatbots for EFL Essay Writing: A Paradigm Shift in Language Pedagogy

“…The potential for data breaches and unauthorised use of student data necessitates robust privacy measures and data protection protocols (Bouhia et al, 2022). Moreover, the excessive dependence on technology carries a risk, as students may become dependent on AI chatbots for writing assistance (Alenezi et al, 2023), potentially hindering the development of independent writing skills and critical thinking (Følstad et al, 2021).…”