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INTRODUCTION

Writing proficiency is highlighted as essential for effective communication and

academic success. Graham & Alves (2021) emphasize its complexity and

necessity, particularly for language learners (Graham & Alves, 2021). Tamayo

(2022) also underscores its significance in various academic tasks, including

compositions, essays, and reports. Practicing writing enhances critical

thinking and enables the clear expression of ideas and emotions. In the

context of technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence, as noted by

Hwang, Xie, Wah, & Gašević, (2020), has revolutionized various industries,

including academic writing. Ghafar et al. (2023) discuss AI’s significant

influence on education, making writing more convenient. AI tools like

ChatGPT offer assistance during the writing process, providing suggestions

and generating text. Alharbi (2023) and Gayed, Carlon, Oriola, & Cross

(2022), acknowledges the benefits of AI tools but raises concerns about

overdependence and their potential impact on critical thinking skills and writing

proficiency.

The development of AI tools has given rise to more advanced intelligent

writing assistance, providing immediate feedback to writers (such as

ChatGPT). These tools can summarize, paraphrase, check grammar and

generate prompt answers. This real time feedback helps students grasp the

underlying ideas of effective writing and offers guidance on improving their

writing skills (Akgun & Greenhow, 2022). According to Austria, Camagay,

Domasing, Gelido, Libatique, & Cabutotan (2023), AI chatbots significantly

influence students’ writing abilities. Apart from their capacity to offer instant

feedback and deliver personalized guidance, they also foster a supportive

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learning atmosphere, contributing to improved writing proficiency and

language skills. The influence of AI chatbots is expanding due to their

convenience and easy accessibility. Mahapatra (2024), also agree that

ChatGPT improves writing skills, the use of ChatGPT as a formative feedback

tool for undergraduate ESL students’ writing skills yielded positive results. The

data collected from tertiary-level students demonstrated that ChatGPT had a

beneficial influence on how students approached feedback, engage with it,

and made improvements in their writing. This tool proved effective in helping

students overcome anxiety often associated with seeking and receiving

feedback, making it potential catalyst for significant change in field. On the

other hand, according to previous studies

(Gregoric & Pendrill, 2023; Das & J.V., 2024), although AI writing tools like

ChatGPT demonstrates advanced linguistic capabilities, it also produces

unreliable, incorrect, and contradictory responses that may affect the writing

outputs of students. The absence of human-like creativity can lead to negative

impacts on learners’ critical thinking skills.

In the study conducted in Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, AI tools like ChatGPT

serves as a valuable academic support tool, leading to a positive influence on

students’ motivation to learn. By appropriately harnessing its capabilities,

ChatGPT plays a crucial role in promoting educational progress and

facilitating improved outcomes in their writing. As a result, it effectively

sustains their motivation to actively pursue knowledge and achieve superior

results (Catariquit & Catariquit, 2023). On the other hand, educators in

National University of Baliwag, Philippines have shared their perspectives and

concerns regarding students’ excessive dependence on artificial intelligence.

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The over reliance of artificial intelligence is where they raised their concerns, it

can be a probable obstacle in comprehending basic language principles and

diverse writing formats by the student body. Therefore, the concept of artificial

intelligence should serve as a supportive tool, not a replacement for

foundational learning, particularly in the area of writing (Bautista, et al., 2023).

According to a local study conducted in college of Pantukan, artificial

intelligence can improve educational accessibility by providing broader access

to educational resources. Since, it caters students’ individualized learning

needs, assistance to sentence construction and grammar (Asirit & Hua, 2023).

Similarly, Obenza et al., (2023) conducted a study to understand college

students’ perspectives and experiences in Region XI with the ChatGPT

utilization. The findings of their research indicate that using ChatGPT has a

positive influence on their time management, AI-powered solutions have the

potential to optimize and streamline educational processes. However, the

study also revealed that the utilization of AI tools like ChatGPT can hinder the

development of crucial skills such as problem-solving skills and critical

thinking

skills.

The influence of artificial intelligence on students has been extensively

studied. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding how English

language learners perceive and experience the use of ChatGPT, specifically in

enhancing their writing proficiency. To address this gap, this research aims to

explore how English language learners utilize artificial intelligence in

improving their writing proficiency, and to determine whether it serves as an

aid for learning or a replacement for traditional learning methods.

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Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored to the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM)

which is an influential framework that helps predict when and how people will

use a new technology (Davis, 1989; Iqbal et al., 2022). It examines how

entities behave when accepting and adjusting to technology, with a focus on

end users or adopters. According to the model, two key factors affecting

people’s attitudes toward using information technology are Perceived

Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEU). Perceived usefulness

refers to a person’s subjective perception that using a specific application

system would enhance their performance within an organizational context,

while perceived ease of use refers to the degree to which the prospective user

perceives the target system to be free of effort (Gong et al., 2004; Mohebi,

2021). Teachers are an important component of this equation in the field of

education since they are vital to the process of adopting and integrating

technology in the classroom (Mohebi, 2021).

Within the framework of this study, Davis’ theory was invoked to offer a

valuable perspective that allowed the researchers to analyze the variables

affecting their attitude and motivation for using the technology tools. The study

aims to ascertain how AI writing tools such as ChatGPT can enhance the

effect of artificial intelligence on English language learners’ writing proficiency

by assessing their perceived usefulness and ease. This study will contribute to

the understanding of the integration of technology in language learning.

Limitations/Delimitations

The study is delimited from first-year to fourth-year students under the

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Education Department who are Bachelor of Secondary Education major in

English students at the University of Mindanao Digos College, school year

2023-2024. The participants in this research are limited to BSED-English

students who are using ChatGPT. This research specifically explores the AI

utilization, specifically ChatGPT, in writing proficiency among English

language learners (ELL) and excludes the potential of any AI writing

assistance. Additionally, the findings are constrained from first-year to fourth-

year level, and generalizing them to students at different proficiency levels or

departments within the university is cautioned. These delimitations ensure a

focused investigation within a specific context, population, and time frame,

enhancing the study's internal validity.

Significance of the Study

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically AI-powered writing

tools, has become prevalent nowadays providing assistance to both teachers

and learners bringing significant changes in educational setting.

In this study, learners’ awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of

utilizing artificial intelligence tools, specifically ChatGPT, takes on paramount

significance. It significantly provides assistance to students with various tasks,

such as efficiently and effectively completing research and writing

assignments, which include generating text, translating languages, and

addressing academic inquiries (Dwivedi et al., 2023; Kasneci et al., 2023;

Lund et al., 2023; Rasul et al., 2023). This AI tool also contributes on

improving grammar by offering interactive feedback (Haggag, 2023).

Moreover, having awareness of the pros and cons of employing this AI-based
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writing tool empowers learners to be responsible enough and set limitations

on its usage to avoid over-reliance, which takes away leaners’ creativity and

originality. Reinhold et al., (2020); Shatri (2020) emphasized that proper

utilization of information technology promotes and develops a variety of skills

in students.

This study is also for teachers in which information technology provides

educational advantages, such as instant access to numerous resources and

the creation of a collaborative learning approach (Galle, 2018; Shatri, 2020).

In fact, teachers are already integrating technology into their teaching

practices, adapting to the modernity of time and significantly enhancing the

learning process, deviating from traditional classroom approaches.

Furthermore, AIbased writing tools, such as ChatGPT, provide comprehensive

and useful feedback, including corrections and suggestions, which are

beneficial for teachers to minimize their workload of reviewing and assessing

writing, as these tools display high accuracy and rapid evaluation speed

without errors (Huang et al., 2020). In a study conducted by Iqbal et al.

(2022), the authors investigated teachers’ attitudes towards using ChatGPT,

with their study revealing that the most discussed potential benefit among

respondents was how this AI tool simplifies lesson planning. Thus, this study

contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of AI in education, highlighting

its potential to enhance writing proficiency while emphasizing the importance

of a balanced and mindful approach in its implementation.

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Objectives of the Study

This study focuses on the relationship of technology innovations and

education. Specifically, the aim of this study is to explore the perspectives and

experiences of English language learner students at University of Mindanao

Digos College regarding the influence of artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) on

their writing proficiency. Additionally, it aims to provide a valuable insight about

how learners perceive and utilize the tool whether it is an aid or a substitute

for learning.

Therefore, this study seeks to provide an answer to the research questions

provided below.

1. What are the perceptions and experiences of English language

learners in utilizing ChatGPT to their learning?

2. What is the intention of English learners in utilizing artificial

intelligence? 3. How does the utilization of ChatGPT influence students’

writing proficiency in terms of their writing outputs?

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METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods of the study; it includes research

participants, data sampling, research instrument, research design and data

analysis tool/procedure.

Research Participants

The research participants for this study will be the first year to fourth year

students, under the Education Department who are under the program of

Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English at the University of

Mindanao Digos College. They will be the participants of this study because

they are actively engaged in learning and improving their writing proficiency,

and also because they are English language learners making them suitable

group to the study. The participants should be a ChatGPT user. They will be

selected using stratified sampling which involves dividing a population into

smaller groups known strata. This sampling technique ensures that the

sample will accurately reflect the overall population of the selected group.

Research Instrument

This study will utilize semi-structured questionnaires. The researchers ask a

standard set of questions to collect data. However, it allows the researcher to

ask additional questions if an interesting or new line of inquiry develops during

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the interview process (Young et al., 2018; Mannan, 2020). This flexibility of

asking questions helps the researcher to discuss in depth about a particular

topic (Mannan, 2020) thus in this study, semi- structured questionnaires allow

the researchers to explore perceptions and experiences of the English

language learners about the influence of ChatGPT on their writing proficiency.

The questionnaires will be designed to gather data on the influence of

ChatGPT on the writing proficiency of language learners.

Research Design

This study will be using qualitative phenomenological approach to investigate

the perceptions and experiences of English language learners in using

ChatGPT to their writing proficiency. As well as to explore how they perceive

and utilize the tool whether it serves as an aid or a substitute for learning.

Qualitative research involves gathering and analyzing data from participant

observation, in-depth interviews, and other forms of contact (Zakaria

& Sulistya, 2023). This will enable researchers to identify learners who utilize

AI-powered writing tools, exploring their perceptions and experiences.

Phenomenological approach is a qualitative research method based on the

concept that the universal essence of anything is ultimately determined by

how its people experience them (Wirihana et al., 2018). Employing this

method would help the researchers in gathering a rich data set that explores

the perceptions and experiences of English language learners in utilization of

ChatGPT to their writing proficiency. It will also allow, the researchers to delve

into subjective experiences of the participants in utilizing these tools for their

learning to acquire a better understanding and insights of how ChatGPT make

an influence to their writing proficiency.

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Data Analysis Procedure

This study will be using thematic analysis, which will be analyze by the data

analyst. It enables them to extract valuable insights and perspective from the

responses and identify similarities and differences among the participants'

viewpoints.

Thematic analysis involves several steps. (Perkins & Roe, 2023)

1. First, the data is familiarized through reading and re-reading.

2. Next, initial codes are generated. In this phase the data will be organize in a

meaningful and systematic way.

[Link], search for themes. grouping the codes they've generated into broader

themes.

4. And then review the themes, reviewing and refining the themes identified

to ensure they accurately represent the data.

5. Then, define and name the themes. In this phase, clearly defining what

each theme is about and what it represents about the data. They also give

each theme a concise, descriptive name.

6. Finally, writing the findings and weaving together the themes and

supporting them with quotes from the interview data.

Ethical Considerations

To explore the perceptions and experiences of English Learners’ utilization of

ChatGPT to their writing proficiency, the researchers strictly observed the

following steps.
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[Link] that all participants are fully aware of the purpose, procedures, and

potential risks and benefits of the research before giving their voluntary

consent. Participants should also have the option to withdraw from the study

at any time without facing any consequences.

[Link] the privacy and confidentiality of participants by using anonymous

data collection methods and securely storing any identifying information.

Personally identifiable information should only be shared with explicit consent.

[Link] the research in a fair and equitable manner, without any bias or

discrimination. Consider the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities

of all participants and treat them equally.

[Link] necessary precautions to minimize any potential harm that participants

may experience as a result of their participation in the research.

[Link] uphold professionalism and show respect. It is crucial to exercise

caution and refrain from using any offensive or discriminatory language when

creating surveys, conducting interviews, or facilitating focus groups.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter comprises the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the

data gathered from the study. Results and discussions are presented

according to the problems of this study. The interview started by discussing

the participants and key informants’ outlook regarding the perceptions and

experiences of English language learners in utilizing ChatGPT to their

learning; followed by the intention of English learners in utilizing artificial

intelligence; the influence of ChatGPT on students’ writing proficiency in terms

of their writing outputs.

As known by the majority, one primary function of ChatGPT in education is to

provide personalized feedback and support to learners, aiding in language

skill development and enhancing critical thinking abilities through natural

language capabilities. However, there are some misconceptions surrounding

the use of ChatGPT in education, with some individuals mistakenly believing

that it can replace the role of human instructors and independent learning

processes.

Conversely, the participants' perspectives and experiences on the use

of ChatGPT in their education were collected through in-depth interviews.

Perceptions and Experiences of English Language Learners in Utilizing

ChatGPT to their Learning

Out of the responses from the participants of the study, three essential

themes were drawn from the transcripts, as follows 1) Educational Gains 2)

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User-friendly and Accessibility 3) Challenges and Risks. These are presented

in Figure 1.

Educational Gains

PERCEPTIONS AND
EXPERIENCES

Educational Gains User-Friendly and

Challenges and Risks
Accessibility

Figure 1. Perceptions and experiences

Educational gains refer to the benefits that students perceive they acquire

during their time at university, particularly in terms of their learning and

personal development (Kirchtag, 2023). Which specifically represent the

positive outcomes and growth that students experience as a result of

educational experiences. The progress students make over time, specifically

measuring the difference in their skills, like writing, as well as competencies

and content knowledge, helps the educators understand how much students

have

advanced or improved, providing insights into the effectiveness of educational

interventions and the overall learning experience (McGrath et al, xi; Uum &

Pepin, 2022).
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Moreover, ChatGPT’s emergence has provided students with support in

various aspects of their academic journey. Its feedback can assist students in

detecting errors and guide them towards successful improvement, making

ChatGPT as an effective “More Knowledgeable Other” (MKO) in the learning

process (Feng & Razali, 2020; Rasul, et al., 2023). Thus, participants reported

that ChatGPT significantly aided in generating ideas, which facilitated the

brainstorming process and helped them overcome writer’s block. By

simplifying complex concepts, ChatGPT enabled students to grasp

challenging material more easily, thereby enhancing their understanding and

retention of

information.

“ChatGPT helps me in a way that when I encounter topics or

words that I don’t fully understand especially complex ideas they
provide immediate assistance in a clear manner.” (Participant 5)

“For me, ChatGPT provides ideas on how to construct and write

as part of the writing process.” (Participant 10)

“ChatGPT’s ability to generate complete sentence constructions

and explanations has been extremely helpful in my writing
process. It helps me improve my grammar vocabulary and
overall writing skills.” (Participant 14)

“It can provide more ideas to expand the given topic and make it
easier to understand.” (Participant 20)

Thus, these responses from the participants illustrate that ChatGPT’s ability

to provide writing guidance has been particularly beneficial for English

language learners, who often struggle with language nuances. Mahapatra

(2024), also agree that ChatGPT improves writing skills, the use of ChatGPT
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as a formative feedback tool for undergraduate ESL students’ writing skills

yielded positive results. It also shows on the results of the study conducted by

Phuong (2024), that ChatGPT aids in comprehending learning materials from

various subjects and has helped developed a broader English vocabulary,

particularly in technical terms relevant to their major and specialization.

In an analysis of recent experimental results, Cope et al. (2021)

investigated how AI can enhance learning and assess knowledge within

educational settings. In their study, the authors identified several areas where

AI demonstrates superior capabilities compared to traditional methods, most

notably the technology was found to have the ability to promote mastery

learning through personalized, step-by-step feedback, customizable learning

paths and content, and progress tracking, enabling students to learn at

individualized speeds (Ali, 2023)

Furthermore, this support has not only improved the quality of their written

assignments but also boosted their confidence in using English. Participants

noted that ChatGPT's feedback helped them identify and correct common

errors, leading to a noticeable improvement in their writing skills over time.

User-Friendly and Accessibility

The term “user-friendliness,” which originated in the 1980s, has been

replaced by the term “usability” (Sauer et al., 2020). It refers to the ease of

use and accessibility for individuals interacting with a product or system.

Accessibility, on the other hand, pertains to how easily a product, device,

service, or environment can be used by individuals with disabilities or for

persons with other special needs or functional limitations (Kulkarni, 2019).

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The release of the ChatGPT text generation tool by OpenAI in November

2022 broadened accessibility to a wider audience (Lancaster, 2023). Its

accessibility provides convenience to users, allowing them to utilize ChatGPT

effectively for their needs, whether for learning, communication, or

problemsolving. They can easily access the AI writing tool by downloading its

application or simply using it via a website search.

“For me, ChatGPT is really convenient every time you run out of
ideas for your essays and the deadline is approaching.”
(Participant 1)

“ChatGPT is very accessible because it's easy to use and

provides answers quickly.” (Participant 4)

“Well, I describe ChatGPT as a very user-friendly and accessible

like a friend that you can always count on”. (Participant 13)

“By understanding and mimicking human behavior, ChatGPT

offers a unique opportunity to enhance accessibility for
individuals with disabilities.” (Participant 17)

As cited in the research by Yorio, (2023); Panda & Kaur, (2023) whether for

research, assignments, or seeking guidance on specific topics, ChatGPT can

provide a wealth of knowledge within seconds. Its ability to provide quick

response to queries is one of its standout features, providing users a

seamless and efficient experience. This is supported through the study of

Chinonso et al. (2023), that AI language model can respond quickly and

immediately to inquiries and instructions. Moreover, ChatGPT’s accessibility

and userfriendliness gives the impression of having a study companion that is

always available to assist and support users with students’ learning needs.
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This feature of ChatGPT enable students to communicate with the chatbot

anytime they want, allowing them to receive the support and guidance they

need

(Chukwuere, 2024).
Furthermore, ChatGPT’s benefits also significantly extend to individuals

with disabilities, offering a range of supportive features that enhance learning

and accessibility. As concluded by Mujahid & Saha (2023), using tools such as

ChatGPT in education for children with disabilities can eliminate infrastructure

obstacles.

Challenges and Risks

Challenges refer to any obstacles, issues, or insufficient capabilities, that may

could hinder progress (Rosalina et al., 2021). While risks are the counterpart

of opportunities, indicating exposure to chance, dangers, and the potential for

unfavorable outcomes (Wideman, 2022). ChatGPT offers numerous benefits

to its users, but there are also negative impacts that cannot be ignored, such

as bias, inaccuracy and the risk of over-reliance. Participants shared their

insights into the risks and challenges of using ChatGPT:

“For me there are many disadvantages to ChatGPT but mainly

it's the risk of becoming too dependent on ChatGPT.”
(Participant 2)

“Furthermore, AI tools might inadvertently perpetuate biases

present in their training data leading to biased or culturally
insensitive content.” (Participant 6)

“You'll become reliant on the ideas provided by ChatGPT which

prevents you from providing your own input.” (Participant 7)
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“The drawbacks of using ChatGPT is the inaccuracy of its

replies. For example, if I search for a topic and it provides an
answer, I verify it through further research only to find out that
the information is not accurate.” (Participant 8)

“There’s a chance of plagiarism if you copy it word for word.”

(Participant 11)
As emphasized by Sok and Heng (2023) in their study, due to the

convenience of ChatGPT, students, particularly those who work on last-minute

assignment, might rely on this tool to create their work without using their

analytical thinking and decision-making skills. Relying heavily on generative AI

tools like ChatGPT can negatively affect education and research. This is

because the convenience of obtaining answers, problem-solving strategies,

and scientific text generation can limit critical thinking and problem-solving

abilities (Rahman & Watanobe, 2023).

ChatGPT is indeed known for its ability to generate quick response, however,

it is also crucial for users to approach information provided by ChatGPT with

caution. As ChatGPT has the potential to introduce biases, mistakes, or

inaccuracies based on its training data (Cao, 2023). It has also been

emphasized by Kalla et al. (2023) in their study that biases and inaccuracies

within the data reflected in ChatGPT’s responses is its one disadvantage.

Recognizing the importance of verifying answers provided by ChatGPT

through additional research or sources is extremely important to ensure the

reliability of information that it has given.

In addition to these issues, plagiarism is also one of its risks. According to

Crompton and Burke (2024), the most often cited misuse regarding ChatGPT

was plagiarism or cheating, thereby posing significant threats to academic

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integrity. It has also been stated by Cotton et al. (2023) that academic

instructors might face challenges in accurately assessing a student’s

understanding of the material if the student is using a chatbot application to

complete their tasks. This is because the responses generated by the chatbot

may not accurately reflect the student’s true level of understanding.

Moreover, relying solely on artificial intelligence writing tool like

ChatGPT for completing tasks can diminish the student’s ability to

independently synthesize and apply knowledge, which could hinder the

development of critical thinking and analytical abilities that are important for

learning and academic progress. These skills are particularly important for

writing activities, as they enable students to improve their writing, if they have

over-reliance on ChatGPT, it may limit students to complete assignment solely

with the assistance of the tool (Sok & Heng, 2023; Mubaroq et al., 2024).

Intentions of English Language

Learners in Utilizing ChatGPT in
their Learning

From the participants' feedback in the study, five key themes emerged

from the transcripts regarding the intentions in Utilizing, which as follows: 1.

Accessibility and Convenience 2. Support and Guidance 3. Enhancing

Creativity and Idea Generation 4. Improving Writing Skills 5. Promoting

Independent Learning and Critical Thinking.

These are presented in figure 2.

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Accessibility and Convenience

Using ChatGPT to improve their writing skills, English language learners

identified several important themes about how they intended to use artificial

intelligence. First off, is accessibility and convenience. Convenience and

accessibility play a crucial role in a student’s learning experience. With

convenience referring to the student’s perception of convenience in terms of

the freedom of study time and the ease of effort to study. (Hussein, L., & Hilmi,

M, F., 2021) And accessibility indicating the ease of accessing resources.

INTENTIONS IN UTILIZING

Promoting
Enhancing
Accessibility Independent
Support And Creativity Improving
And Learning and
Guidance and Idea Writing Skills
Convenience Critical
Generation
Thinking

Figure 2. Thematic Diagram on intentions of utilizing

Wherein we can get it from ChatGPT, as it can be accessed from anywhere

with an internet connection, making it a highly accessible source of

information. This can be particularly useful for individuals who may not have

access to a physical library or who need to access information quickly. (Aithal,

2023). Nonetheless, users offered their thoughts on why they thought it would

be a good choice for school projects and activities. They discovered that
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ChatGPT was helpful, providing direction and encouragement all through the

writing process.

"For me, ChatGPT is just one call away as a tool for my

activities or assignments because it is specific, and it
provides all the ideas you want to express that you couldn't
think of during your writing." (Participant 1)
"ChatGPT is very accessible because unlike searching on
Google, you'll have to search word by word, with ChatGPT,
you can just input a single word, and it will provide a wealth
of ideas or topics related to that." (Participant 2)
"I chose ChatGPT as an option because besides being a
free AI tool, it's easy to use. It provides specific answers
quickly." (Participant 3)
"For me, I chose ChatGPT as my preferred option to ask
for answers because it quickly provides responses, giving
all the information needed." (Participant 4)
"For me, when we have activities that are complex, I use
ChatGPT to simplify and contextualize the ideas. This
helps me understand them thoroughly." (Participant 7)
"Aside from the fact that it is already well-known, it has
received positive feedback for its ability to assist with
sentence structure. I believe ChatGPT is the first AI of its
kind that I’ve encountered." (Participant 9)
"I chose ChatGPT because it’s very easy to use. If you
know how to formulate a question and ask it, ChatGPT will
give you a direct and complete answer. Using ChatGPT
also helps me to save time because it’s more direct,
allowing me to finish my tasks more quickly and on time."
(Participant 11)
"I chose ChatGPT to assist with my activities and
assignments because it provides relevant ideas. I've
experienced writer’s block, where I struggle to think of what
to write, and ChatGPT helps with that. When I want to
expand my ideas or if there's something I haven't
understood in my activities or assignments, I ask ChatGPT
for assistance. It helps me understand things in a simple
way and generates accurate answers so I can better
comprehend them." (Participant 12)
"Aside from being recommended by a classmate, it is also
very user-friendly. When you need to ask or want to know
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something, it's just one chat away, and I think it's instant.
That's the reason why I find it helpful." (Participant 13)
"I chose ChatGPT as an option to help with my school
activities, especially during times when I feel drained and
unable to complete other tasks. ChatGPT can be reliable
and, as I mentioned earlier, very easy to use. It can provide
personalized assistance to me." (Participant 14)
"As a helpful tool for school activities, and assignments.
ChatGPT offers a wide range of features that can be
incredibly useful in various tasks. it's ability to generate
ideas, provide assistance with sentence construction and
also user-friendly make it a convenient option for quick
assistance whenever you need it." (Participant 18)
Thus, the insights shared by participants utilizing ChatGPT for writing

proficiency highlight the tool's role in enhancing accessibility, convenience,

and assistance in various aspects of the writing process. As stated by

Mahapatra (2024), "ChatGPT positively influences how students seek

feedback, how they engage with it and how they make improvements in their

academic writing. It enables students to overcome the anxiety involved in

asking for and receiving the desired kind of feedback." However,

understanding how to use these tools properly is critical for avoiding potential

downsides. According to participant 6;

“It is important not to blindly trust ChatGPT when seeking

ideas, as it may not always provide accurate information.”
Fontenelle- Tereshchuk (2024) wrote that, "Finding a balance between the

human touch in learning and utilizing virtual tools to facilitate the learning

process may indicate that we do not have to 'pick' a side when it comes to

living with ChatGPT, the secret may be exploring ways to develop strategic

practices to make it work for the good of education."

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Support and guidance

In the exploration of English language learners' utilization of ChatGPT for

writing proficiency, the theme of Support and Guidance emerges as a crucial

aspect. Guidance is a component of education that educates a student to

recognize and develop his or her own abilities in order to achieve overall

success in one’s academic career. (Gosh, S., 2021) Similarly, Support is an

action that helps students with the necessary assistance.

FontenelleTereshchuk (2024) then emphasizes the evolving role of technology

in our lives, highlighting its potential to make tasks easier and save time.

Participants in the study identified ChatGPT as a valuable aid that offers

guidance and support in various writing tasks, showcasing its role in

broadening vocabulary, simplifying ideas, and aiding in sentence structure.

"It is an aid for me, because for example, during our activity in
IPI transcription for one of our majors, I need something to
base my reference on to improve how I transcribe an IPI.
During that time, I use ChatGPT to guide me on how to do it."
(Participant 1)
"For me, it is an aid because I can tell myself that I am
responsible in using it. I don't take it word for word; I only get
its idea, then I rephrase it if I have something to add,
ChatGPT just completes the thought, but I don't fully rely on
it." (Participant 2) "It's an aid for me because it helps me with
ideas on certain topics that need answering." (Participant 3)
"For me, it's an aid. It really depends on the individual on how
they use ChatGPT responsibly, whether it's solely for
academic purposes or not. It shouldn't be used in a way that
whatever ChatGPT provides is automatically accepted.
Instead, it should serve as a guide for me to easily construct a
task." (Participant 5)
"For me, when I use ChatGPT to get ideas, I always relate
them to my own. I also occasionally use it for paraphrasing
because of its good choice of words." (Participant 6)
 24

"For me, it serves as an aid as it provides ideas. It’s beneficial

in a way that it doesn’t overly burden my mind, but it’s
important to remember not to rely solely on all the ideas it
provides. You can take a few ideas from it and integrate it with
your own ideas."(Participant 7)
"I think ChatGPT’s role in the writing process is limited to the
planning phase, not the entire process. This phase involves
gathering ideas and planning how to write, which is where
ChatGPT can be useful. Unfortunately, some students rely
solely on ChatGPT, which they shouldn't." (Participant 8)
"It can help with sentence structure. Of course, I'm not that
smart, but when I use ChatGPT, it can provide all the ideas or
disseminate them effectively." (Participant 9)
"ChatGPT provides ideas and, at the same time, ensures that
the sentence structure and words are well-organized."
(Participant 10)
"ChatGPT serves as an invaluable writing companion because
it assists in brainstorming, generating ideas, and refining
content. Whether I want to be creative in my writing or provide
a concise summary of a lengthy story for those who prefer it,
ChatGPT can provide ideas or knowledge and enhance my
writing proficiency by offering insights. It also helps me
overcome writer’s block, making my writing easier and faster. I
find that ChatGPT significantly aids my writing proficiency by
guiding me on correct structure, explaining where I may have
gone wrong, and serving as support during and after the
writing process."(Participant 12)
"For me, I use ChatGPT as a guide or aid to enhance my
learning in constructing sentences in the English language.
When I come across complex sentences that seem difficult, I
turn to ChatGPT and ask it to simplify that particular sentence
so I can easily grasp its meaning. (Participant 13)
"I perceive ChatGPT as a valuable tool that can complement
my writing process. It helps me generate ideas, improve my
grammar and vocabulary, and structure my writing more
effectively because ChatGPT can provide more ideas for
me."(Participant 14)
Participants acknowledged ChatGPT as a valuable aid in enhancing their

writing skills, generating ideas, and improving their overall writing process.

However, they also recognize that while ChatGPT serves as guidance and
 25

support, users should exercise caution and not rely solely on it for their writing

tasks. This was supported by studies, stating that, “The fears about this new

chatbot avatar are raising fears among certain professional establishments as

well as people involved in it, the first being the educational sector. (Greengard

& Samuel 2022; Karthikeyan, 2022), One reason is overreliance on ChatGPT.

It is essential for users to maintain a critical mindset and utilize ChatGPT as a

tool for support and guidance rather than as a substitute for independent

thinking and creativity.

Enhancing Creativity and Idea Generation

Enhanced creativity in writing proficiency goes beyond writing

practices, wherein students think of outside-the-box ideas. If students are

creative in their writing, it is easier for them to express themselves artistically

and engage with readers with their imaginative writing. In this theme,

enhancing creativity entails increasing the ability to write original ideas, think

innovatively, and convey thoughts and emotions in a distinctive and engaging

manner. According to Beteczki & Karpati (2021) Creativity is as something

new, interesting, different, unique, all teachers recognized appropriateness as

a joint requirement. It occurs when an individual surpasses schematic thinking

to produce something original and [Link] addition, Idea generation, is a

creative process, involves human judgment. Also, idea generation is the

source of creativity and innovation (Ayele, W., & Juell-Skielse, G., 2022).

Thus, this subject focuses into how ChatGPT may be used as a tool for

enhancing creativity and idea generation. ChatGPT can help students arrange

their ideas for research and writing. In this manner, students can easily submit

prompts, allowing ChatGPT to build an outline immediately (Kasneci et al.,

 26

2023: Sok, S., Heng, K., 2023). Participants’ experiences with this theme

provide light on how ChatGPT helps them expand their creative horizons and

generate new and unique ideas for their writing projects.

“For me, the ability of CHATGPT is that every time I need

those words that I’m confused about or I need to use it in an
essay, I really search for it and tell what I want to convey or
what specific need I have.” (Participant 1)
“It’s amazing because its words are profound, words you
haven’t seen or heard them before.” (Participant 6)
“For me, it really helps with sentence structure. For example,
when there’s a question and you already have an answer in
mind, you can further elaborate on it using ChatGPT.”
(Participant 9)
“I suppose that ChatGPT can create sentences in a simple
form that I can easily understand.” (Participants13)
However, while ChatGPT proves its role in idea generation, there’s also

concerns that arose regarding its complex sentence construction and

occasional errors, which were supported by these participants;

“GPT is helpful in generating ideas, but sometimes its

sentence construction is too complex, which I’ve noticed. It
also has grammatical errors in its wordings, so I’m quite
reluctant to depend on ChatGPT for writing. It’s not reliable in
that regard for me. However, it is dependable when you’re
gathering ideas.” (Participant 8)
“It helps me generate complete sentences and enhances my
writing process. However, there are times when its responses
are not suitable to the questions asked.” (Participant 16)
Furthermore, ChatGPT despite of its breakthroughs, it also present significant

downsides. A study revealed that, “with an initial evaluation, ChatGPT did not

consistently respond with accurate information when questioning about

anatomical facts in its current version.” (Mogali, 2023; Sok & Heng,2023).

Therefore, it becomes apparent, that relying solely on ChatGPT for critical or

 27

factual Information is not advisable. This highlights the need for users to

exercise caution and verify data from reliable sources.

Improving Writing Skills

Technology has been evolving year by year, and this continuous

advancement has significantly impacted various aspects of our lives. And

one aspect which is being identified as a theme in the perceptions in utilizing

ChatGPT, a product of technology, is “Improvement of Writing Skills”. Writing

skills are one of the language skills in the form of indirect communication by

utilizing graphology, language structure and vocabulary to produce coherent,

expressive and easy to understand writing to express ideas, thoughts or

ideas to others (Sinaga, G., Amri, Y., Lestari, T., 2021). According to the

participants ChatGPT enhances and improves the writing skills of English

language learners. And these was supported by the study of Baskara (2024),

he explained that “ChatGPT can generate human-like text and provide real-

time feedback and support for learners. The potential benefits of using

ChatGPT in language education include providing personalized feedback and

support, engaging and motivating learners through natural language

capabilities, and supporting the development of language skills through

practice and repetition.” This theme explores how ChatGPT serves as a tool

in assisting users to develop and enhance their writing abilities. Furthermore,

Participants’ experiences within this theme shed light on the role of ChatGPT

in improving the quality and effectiveness of their writing.

“For me, it widens your vocabulary when you encounter words

you’ve never encountered before, and you can use it for
writing.” (Participant 10)
 28

“I’m not proficient at constructing sentences, and my

vocabulary tends to be repetitive. Since using ChatGPT, it has
provided me with ideas and introduced me to a wider range of
vocabulary” (Participant 10)
“In terms of writing, it’s also crucial as it helps improve my
vocabulary and comprehension. “(Participant 11)
“Before, ChatGPT, looking back at my previous outputs, I
would say my proficiency seemed quite low. My vocabulary
was shallow, and I struggled with grammar. I felt that my
writing lacked clarity and coherence, and I often struggled with
organizing my thoughts. “(Participant 11)
“As a helpful tool for school activities, and assignments.
ChatGPT offers a wide range of features that can be
incredibly useful in various tasks. It’s ability to generate ideas,
provide assistance with sentence construction and also user-
friendly make it a convenient option for quick assistance
whenever you need it.” (Participant 8)
Hence, utilization of this AI technology, learners can use the benefits of

ChatGPT to improve their writing skills, enhance their language proficiency,

and enter a more effective and engaging learning experience. But this would

only happen if it is used responsibly and with applied ethics, there is no such

thing that is flawless and ideal (Mhlanga, 2023). Thus, with everything that

ChatGPT provides, it is essential to know how to use it responsibly, effectively

and smartly.

Promoting Independent Learning and Critical Thinking

The theme of “Promoting Independent Learning and Critical Thinking”

explores the role of ChatGPT in empowering users to develop self-directed

learning skills and enhance their critical thinking abilities. Independent

learning pays attention to four basic concepts including self-concept,

experience, readiness to learn, and a perspective on time and orientation to

learning. (Rozi,
 29

F., et al., 2021) And ChatGPT according to participants, promote it. In addition,

Critical Thinking is the ability to analyze available information without allowing

our biases, prejudices or misconceptions to skew our conclusions and

opinions. Improving critical thinking can promote interest and engagement and

inspire people to embrace and question new ideas and data, thus giving them

new perspectives and teaching them to shape their opinions better. (Bonet, L.,

et al., 2022). ChatGPT encourages independent exploration, fosters analytical

thinking, and gives a deeper understanding of various topics among English

language learners. Recent studies have shown that GPT-3 can stimulate

curiosity, enhance students’ question asking skills, and generate programming

code explanations (Abdelghani et al., 2022; Rasul et al., 2023) Furthermore,

Participants’ encounters in this theme shares how ChatGPT functions as a

tool to encourage independence, creativity, and thoughtful involvement in the

educational journey.

“For me, Ai or ChatGPT serves as my companion, because it

provides me with ideas and prevents me from sticking to just
one topic, allowing me to enhance the ideas for my tasks.
“(Participant 5)
“For me, it can broaden your vocabulary and critical thinking
skills in such a way that you need to analyze the ideas it
provides before using them.” (Participant 7)
ChatGPT continues to prove its role in helping the students in their

academics. It becomes a promising tool that promotes a student’s active

participation and cognitive advancement by adapting to their learning pace

and offering continuous support in their knowledge acquisition process.

(García-Peñalvo, 2023; Rueda et Al., (2023) Following this line, it has proven

to be a valuable tool to promote the development of writing skills in students.

By interacting with the system, students can receive grammatical corrections,

 30

suggestions for improvement and detailed feedback on their writing, which

gives them the opportunity to improve their written communication and

achieve greater effectiveness in their written expression. (Osorio, 2023;

Rueda et Al., (2023)

However, it is also noted that with the production of ChatGPT, some

people wonders if the role of this artificial intelligence is an aid, or a

substitution of the capabilities of students and teachers. And according to

these participants;

“ChatGPT’s role in learning is merely as an aid. It should not be

something you rely on or use as a substitute for learning;
otherwise, you’ll never truly learn.” (Participant 6)
“AI’s role is to aid learning for students, not to substitute for it.”
(Participant 8)
Furthermore, ChatGPT is not intended to replace in-person instruction from

qualified instructors. It ought to be regarded as a device that supplements

classroom instruction and student learning rather than one that supplants it.

Rather than depending solely on the AI tool to carry out all of the necessary

tasks, teachers should utilize ChatGPT in a manner that improves their

methods of instruction and encourages students to engage in analytical and

critical thinking. In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion over the

application of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in the classroom setting.

It is important to note that even though ChatGPT presents several

opportunities for improvement in educational settings, it is not intended to take

the place of actual instructors. (Mhlanga, 2023).

 31

ChatGPT’s Influence on Students’ Writing

Proficiency in Terms of their Writing
Outputs

There are three essential themes drawn from the transcripts of the

participants of ChatGPT’s influence on their writing proficiency. These are; 1)

Perceived Dependence on ChatGPT; 2) Changes observed since using

ChatGPT; 3) Improvement in Writing Proficiency. The essential themes are

presented in Figure 3.

Perceived Dependence on ChatGPT

Perceived dependence refers to the sense of reliance or attachment

that individuals have on something that will help them in a certain way.

Perceived dependence in the context of artificial writing tools like ChatGPT,

implies a level of trust and reliance, and leaning on ChatGPT reflects the

degree to which individuals rely on it for writing tasks completion and to make

their outputs wellwritten and organized (Stojanov, Liu, & Koh, 2024). However,

as the utilization of ChatGPT becomes increasingly prevalent nowadays, the

students find it to use, in order for them to do tasks easily that results to

dependency. According to the participants,

“I seem to rely on ChatGPT.” (Participant 1)

"I mainly use ChatGPT and I can't say that I have improved
myself because I rely on ChatGPT." (Participant 4)

This theme is supported by the of Lau & Woods (2008): Stojanov et al.,

(2024) emphasizes that the level of importance students attribute to ChatGPT

 32

ChatGPT INFLUENCE IN
WRITING PROFICIENCY

Perceived Changes Observed Improvement in

Dependence on
Since Using ChatGPT Writing Proficiency
ChatGPT

Figure 3. Thematic Diagram on ChatGPT influence in writing proficiency

in their learning methods determines their reliance on the tool. According to

Sánchez-Ruiz et al. (2023), using ChatGPT as a primary writing tool indicates

a growing reliance on its capabilities, potentially shaping practices that impair

students’ critical thinking abilities. Fuchs (2023), also underlined the

significance of students being conscious and cautious about being overly

reliant on ChatGPT. This could result in students adopting a passive learning

approach where they merely accept and replicate the AI-generated responses

without assessing the accuracy and significance of the information presented.

"I use ChatGPT as a guide or aid to enhance my learning."

(Participant 13)

“It helps me improve grammatical and contextual errors as well as

brainstorm ideas for content.” (Participant 17)

"It acts as a guide that helps me refine my writing." (Participant 19)

As noted in the findings of Escalante, Pack, & Barret (2023), it

highlighted that although ChatGPT offers comprehensive and easily

 33

understandable feedback in improving grammar, sentence structure, there is a

concern that students may depend on the tool. Thus, there is a risk of

students becoming too overly dependent on these tools in writing their

academic outputs, potentially impacting their ability to critically engage with

their own writing and learn independently making them a passive learner.

"Using AI can make you dependent on technology." (Participant

13)

According to Yarnaphat (2023), the perceived ease of use of ChatGPT

in writing, as measured by the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model),

influences students’ dependence on it. The ease with which learners could

access and use the technology, without needing substantial training or prior

expertise, increases the students’ dependence on it. Perceived dependence

on ChatGPT is supported by the findings of the study of Bautista et al., (2023)

highlighted

that the perceived dependence on ChatGPT can be a hindrance in

comprehending basic language principles which also support the finding of

Catariquit, K. & Catariquit L.’s (2023) study.

Furthermore, the dependence on ChatGPT for writing may have both

beneficial and negative consequences; it all depends on how responsible the

user is, according to the findings of a study by Lo and Hew (2023). On the

other hand, it significant to note that, while it provides an advanced method of

learning that aids students in writing, it is critical to establish a balance while

using this tool to avoid over reliance and reducing human originality.
 34

Changes Observed Since Using ChatGPT

There have been significant changes that have impacted the lives of

many students since the emergence of ChatGPT. This is attributed to its

userfriendly interface, immediate feedback, and wide array of ideas it offers.

The utilization of this tool has resulted in noticeable shift in students’ behavior

and substantial enhancements in their writing proficiency, including improved

structure, coherence, and efficiency in their writing (Dong, 2024). As a result,

students’ written outputs have the chances to become more effective in

conveying the intended message, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

“It helps organize my writing for better understanding and a

smoother flow of ideas.” (Participant 1)

"For me it really helps in improving the proficiency of my

outputs not just in vocabulary but also in the ideas provided."
(Participant 4)

“Thanks to ChatGPT, the revisions I made to my output were

organized.” (Participant 5)

"ChatGPT assists in organizing my writing." (Participant 11)

The utilization of ChatGPT helps students improve their own writing

approaches and styles to more structured and organized writing. Allagui,

(2023); Mahapatra (2024) supported this claim that ChatGPT influences

writing proficiency and allows students to better organize their thoughts with

proper structure. Since it caters the individual needs of the user, the tool

brings changes to the writing proficiency of the students who may found

organizing their ideas difficult (Asirit & Hua, 2023).

"The writings became more professional." (Participant 3)

"For me it really helps in improving the proficiency of my

outputs not just in vocabulary but also in the ideas provided."
(Participant 4)
 35

"Using ChatGPT can expand your vocabulary as it introduces

you to new words." (Participant 8)

"It has greatly helped me learn how to incorporate these

complex words into my writing." (Participant 9)

"My writing efficiency has increased." (Participant 12)

"ChatGPT has significantly contributed to enhancing the

proficiency of my writing outputs." (Participant 18)

This theme is supported by the findings of the study by AIAfnan,

Dishari, Jovic, & Lomidze (2024), highlighted that ChatGPT as an educational

tool enhances writing proficiency of students and brings significant changes to

the writing outputs of the students. Its capability to provide answers to different

inquiries and prompts is precise and on point, as it gives suggestions and

corrects the paper and explains the user on how to make their paper more

proficient (AIAfnan et al., 2024).

"Using ChatGPT can expand your vocabulary as it introduces

you to new words." (Participant 6)

"ChatGPT generates additional ideas that I can incorporate

into my writing." (Participant 8)

"It has greatly helped me learn how to incorporate these

complex words into my writing." (Participant 9)

"ChatGPT provides additional ideas to enrich your work."

(Participant 10)

"My grammar has improved and I can generate and organize

ideas more efficiently." (Participant 19)
"The changes that I observe in my writing output are that it
has more ideas to support and is more detailed to understand
the topic." (Participant 20)
 36

The support from ChatGPT enables learners to deepen their

vocabulary that improves their writing. As noted by Liu at al. (2023), it has

become a writing companion and proves that with its ability to offer answers to

prompts and recommend enhancements, it assists and provide changes in

students in expressing their ideas effectively and enriching the depth of their

content, and providing better quality output. Similarly, according to Javaid,

Haleem, Singh, Khan, S., & Khan, I. (2023), ChatGPT enriches the knowledge

a specific topic and provides wide information that helps the learners

understand the topic. Since it provides a better way in translation,

summarization, paraphrasing, and provide wide vocabulary words that help

users enrich vocabulary knowledge, it aids the deficiency of learners in writing.

This is supported by the research of Gayed et al. al. (2022), that also

investigated the influence of ChatGPT on students’ vocabulary use and

development. Their research found that these kinds of AI-writing tools offer

clear advantages and changes to the writing proficiency of students, enabling

the students to get some idea, words in making their outputs. According to

Participant 15,

"ChatGPT has truly helped me by providing clear and

accurate information."

Although there are some benefits and advantages ChatGPT provides, it is

also being noted that not all ChatGPT provides is correct and needed

development. Dong (2024) supports this claim and highlighted the need for

proper guidance and critical use of AI tools to maximize learning potential.

Running out of ideas sometimes is one of the problems of a student

when it comes to writing. According to Gayed et. al., (2022), ChatGPT can be
 37

an instrument in fostering brainstorming and idea development aiding writer’s

block while also highlighting the need for responsible and proper usage of this

tools to improve independent learning. According to participant 12,

"ChatGPT can assist me. It can also help me avoid writer's

block." (Participant 12)

This theme is supported by the findings of the study by Mahapatra, (2024) that

there are significant benefits and changes observed in the proficiency of

writing of the students since using ChatGPT, like improved structure in writing

that enables them to provide their ideas clearly. They can now explain enrich

their work with rich vocabulary words, more structured and organized writing,

while noting also that not all ChatGPT provides is correct and needed

development.

Improvement in Writing Proficiency

Improvement in writing proficiency refers to the increase in quality and

effectiveness of written communication over time (Sparks, Song, Brantley, &

Liu, 2014). The ability to write well is not only about mastering grammar and

spelling but also effectively communicating ideas. There are significant

improvements in students’ writing proficiency, including vocabulary, grammar,

and overall writing quality, after using ChatGPT. This is supported by the study

of Gao, Howard, Markov, Dyer, Ramesh, Luo, & Pearson (2020); Mahapatra

(2024) which highlighted that its ability to add unique words and expansive

vocabulary can make the writing proficiency of students more advanced and

more interesting.

“It really helps increase vocabulary.” (Participant 2)

 38

“It helps me enhance my vocabulary, grammar, word choice, and

how to write essays proficiently,” (Participant 3)
“For me, it widens my vocabulary.” (Participant 7)
“ChatGPT’s vocabulary isn’t shallow; it offers rich and varied
vocabulary options.” (Participant 11)
"ChatGPT has significantly contributed to enhancing the proficiency of
my writing outputs." (Participant 18)

This is supported by the results of the study of Mahapatra (2024),

which show that using this tool provides a substantial positive impact on

writing that improves grammar structure as well as the overall quality of the

writing output. Participants noted some improvements on their written outputs,

they stated;

“It has become formal and suitable for academic writing.” (Participant
2)
“The writings became more professional.” (Participant 3)
“It reads professionally because it incorporates a wide range
of words.” (Participant 9)
ChatGPT improves writing proficiency and it increases efficiency and

accuracy that guides writers, learners to produce a high-quality written output

(Mondal, H., & Mondal, S., 2023) enabling students to improve the tone of

their writing. Mahapatra (2024) confirms the theme, the findings shows that

significant improvements in students' writing skills are evident, including

vocabulary, grammar, and overall writing quality, after using ChatGPT for self-

and peer-assessments. Similarly, the study of Zhao (2022) shows that it helps

college students improves the tone and the better connection among ideas in

their written outputs. This shift towards formality and professionalism in writing

can be attributed to the influence of academic environments and expectations.

As a result, shown in the study of Mahapatra (2024), students are able to

 39

convey ideas more effectively and professionally in their writing outputs due to

the aid from ChatGPT.

"ChatGPT has improved my proficiency in writing outputs by

providing me with more ideas." (Participant 5)
"It helps enhance creativity and improve structure."
(Participant 7)
“Your work becomes more creative and unique compared to
relying solely on yourself.” (Participant 10)

"ChatGPT has significantly contributed to enhancing the

proficiency of my writing outputs." (Participant 18)

"My grammar has improved and I can generate and organize

ideas more efficiently." (Participant 19)

"It assists in making my writing better and ensures that what I

write is well-understood." (Participant 20)
Improved proficiency is also evident in the creativity of students’ writing. As

stated by the participants. With the assistance of ChatGPT, there have been

improvements in the creativity of the output as they are able to express

themselves more clearly and with greater depth, as stated in the results of the

study conducted by Wang & Guo (2023). Mahapatra (2024) also suggested

that there’s an important line to balance the usage of ChatGPT. Participant 19

also finds that it makes the written outputs refined, stating that;

“It acts as a guide that helps me refine my writing.”

Refining one’s writing is crucial in academic and professional settings, and

ChatGPT serves as an aid tool achieving this goal. In the study of, Berge,

Skar, Matre, Solheim, Evensen, Otnes & Thysegen (2019), the influence of AI

tools with proper prompt and responsible usage, have become as an aid for

writing instruction. The students' writing proficiency also demonstrates

improved organization and coherence; Participant 20 said,

 40

"It assists in making writing better and ensures that what I

write is well-understood."

Findings from the study of Ali, Hezam, Mohammad, & Shamsan (2023), note

that ChatGPT's assistance drives the improvement of the students' writing

proficiency in improving clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of the writing.

Ali, M.A. (2023) also mentioned that it is because of the inspiration students

receive from its direction tpo enhance their writing, emphasizing the value of

individualized feedback and assistance in the educational process while also

highlighting the importance of independent learning.

Summary

The research study is aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of

English language learners’ utilization of ChatGPT to their writing proficiency.

Additionally, it explores their intentions behind using ChatGPT in their writing

tasks and how this utilization influences their writing proficiency in terms of

their writing outputs. Qualitative methods are utilized to attain the designed

objectives. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews using

semistructured questionnaires and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Based on the data obtained, three themes emerged on the perceptions

and experiences of ELLs’ utilization of ChatGPT to their learning: Educational

Gains, User-Friendliness and Accessibility, and Challenges and Risks. First,

Educational Gains, participants have claimed to have found assistance in

ChatGPT in generating ideas, helping them simplify complex ideas, grammar

correction, and guidance in improving their writing skills. They found that the
 41

tool helped them articulate their thoughts more clearly and develop their

writing abilities. Second is its user-friendliness and accessibility which gives

users the convenience of using the artificial intelligence tool without requiring

extensive technical knowledge. Participants appreciated the intuitive interface

and the ease with which they could access ChatGPT from various devices,

making it a flexible and adaptable tool for their learning needs. Third,

Challenges and Risks. While ChatGPT has been beneficial, participants also

highlighted several concerns. One major challenge is the potential for over-

reliance on the tool, which could impede the development of critical thinking

and problem-solving skills. Additionally, there are worries about the accuracy

of the information provided, as AI-generated responses may sometimes

contain errors or biases.

Moreover, the ethical implications of using AI in education, such as issues

related to academic integrity and plagiarism, were also noted by participants.

The study revealed five key themes regarding English Language

Learners' (ELLs) use of ChatGPT for their writing proficiency. These themes

include accessibility and convenience, support and guidance, enhancing

creativity and idea generation, improving writing skills, and promoting

independent learning and critical thinking. Participants noted that ChatGPT

enhances accessibility and convenience in writing tasks but emphasized the

importance of using the tool correctly to avoid inaccuracies. Additionally,

ChatGPT was seen as a support system for writing tasks, aiding in vocabulary

expansion and sentence structure, although users were advised not to rely

solely on it. The tool was also credited with giving creativity and idea

generation, despite occasional errors, prompting users to verify information

 42

from reliable sources. Furthermore, participants reported improvements in

writing skills and language proficiency through ChatGPT usage, leading to a

more engaging learning experience. Lastly, ChatGPT was recognized for

promoting independent learning and critical thinking by encouraging learners

to analyze ideas independently before incorporating them. Participants

stressed that ChatGPT should remain as an aid and not a substitution of

learning.

The data obtained from the English language learners’ perception of

the influence of ChatGPT utilization on their writing proficiency in terms of their

writing outputs reveals three essential themes: Perceived Dependence on

ChatGPT, Changes Observed Since Using ChatGPT, and Improvement in

Writing Proficiency. The results shows that before engaging with ChatGPT,

students faced challenges such as vocabulary deficits, grammar issues, a lack

of confidence, and repetitive ideas in the writing process. The introduction of

writing tools made rough changes in their writing approach which eventually

made an influence on their writing proficiency. It helps in organization,

vocabulary enhancement, and idea generation. However, there is a perceived

dependence on ChatGPT among learners, raising concerns about

overreliance and passive learning. Since using ChatGPT, result show that

learners have observed improvement in their writing proficiency in their writing

outputs. It has aided in structuring their thoughts, providing new ideas, and

refining the writing style that they use to enhance their own writing. It has

been a valuable resource in enhancing creativity in their outputs as well as

professionalism and clarity in students’ written outputs.

 43

Conclusion

Based on the study's analysis and discussion, it is concluded that English

language learners see ChatGPT as a useful learning tool. It has been

demonstrated to improve their writing proficiency considerably. The ChatGPT

offered grammatical corrections, ideas for development, and thorough

feedback, resulting in better and more effective written communication. This

tool aids learners in idea development, simplifies complex topics, and

improves comprehension and retention of information. Learners typically use

ChatGPT for its accessibility, convenience, and assistance with various writing

activities, while acknowledging its limitations and hazards, such as bias and

inaccuracy. ChatGPT has a considerable impact on students' writing

proficiency, with reports of gains in vocabulary, grammar, structure,

coherence, and writing efficiency. However, it is critical to recognize that, while

 44

ChatGPT is an excellent instructional tool, it should not be considered a

replacement for traditional learning methods or human instructors. AI works

best as a supplemental tool, encouraging individual study, critical thinking, and

a greater understanding of many topics.

Recommendations

After thorough assessment and considering the foregoing findings and

conclusions of the study, the following recommendations are presented, first,

users should be aware of the potential for mistakes and occasional errors.

Then they ensure they understand how to utilize ChatGPT appropriately in

order to avoid relying primarily on it for accurate information. Moreover, While

ChatGPT is a useful tool for helping with writing outputs, users should

exercise caution and not rely solely on it for their writing projects. It is critical

to establish a balance while using this tool to avoid overreliance and reducing

human originality. Additionally, Users should maintain a critical mindset and

utilize ChatGPT as a tool for support and guidance rather than as a substitute

for independent thinking and creativity. It should not intend to take the place of

actual instructors; therefore, it is essential to know how to use it responsibly,

effectively, and smartly. Furthermore, Educators should have access and

receive training on how to use AI detector tools to ensure academic integrity

and the authenticity of student work. Proper training will help educators

understand how to effectively integrate these tools into their assessment

processes and utilize them to identify potential instances of plagiarism or

misuse of AI-generated content. In addition, ChatGPT may be implemented in

educational settings to which institutions can leverage the benefits of AI to

enhance the educational experiences for both students and educators,

 45

making learning more efficient, accessible, and personalized. With its

implementation, institutions should develop guidelines and best practices for

the ethical use of ChatGPT to prevent academic dishonesty. Lastly, Further

research should be conducted to explore how ChatGPT affects student

performance in terms of comprehension, retention, and application of

knowledge.

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