Exploring the attitudes of EFL university instructors and students toward utilizing ChatGPT for acquiring writing fluency and accuracy skills

Abstract

Technological advancements, including ChatGPT, influence foreign language education in several ways. This study specifically explores the attitudes of university instructors and students regarding the use of ChatGPT, a robust language model capable of producing error-free essays and translating texts, among other uses, to enhance writing fluency and accuracy skills in English as a foreign language (EFL). Four research questions were addressed to examine the study’s main concerns. Conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year at a private university in Sharjah, where the author works, the study involved a sample of EFL instructors and students. A mixed methods design was used by employing two tools: a five-point Likert scale questionnaire comprising nine items and a semi-free interview with two questions. The findings indicated that most of the study’s subjects did not view utilizing ChatGPT in EFL higher education as significant in terms of augmenting writing fluency and accuracy skills. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that using ChatGPT for the acquisition of fluent and accurate writing skills is not significantly impactful in EFL in higher education. Unless wisely utilized as a supportive tool for developing writing abilities rather than the main means for performing writing tasks, ChatGPT utilization is not significantly beneficial.