ChatGPT, the New Language Students’ Influencer

Abstract

This study explores the impact of ChatGPT, an AI tool, on undergraduate students in the field of Language Teaching. The research, conducted through a descriptive qualitative approach, aims to analyze the multifaceted effects of ChatGPT on academic performance and learning processes. The primary objective is to assess how ChatGPT aids or hinders students' tasks and to understand its broader implications in educational settings. Therefore, using surveys and qualitative analysis, the study finds that ChatGPT facilitates idea generation, paraphrasing, time efficiency, and information retrieval, significantly benefiting students. However, it also identifies a dependency on the tool, potentially diminishing essential skill acquisition. The research categorizes students' trust in ChatGPT into total, partial, and mistrust, highlighting the need for balanced usage. The findings underscore ChatGPT's transformative potential in education, suggesting careful integration to maximize benefits and mitigate drawbacks, contributing valuable insights into AI's role in language teaching.