Utilising Artificial Intelligence to Bolster and Refine the Production of Formal Letters in English Tailored for Students of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Over the past decade, advancements in technology, notably Artificial Intelligence (AI), have significantly transformed educational methodologies and shifted the existing educational framework. Innovations like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Gemini have garnered considerable attention, with their groundbreaking features potentially revolutionizing the realm of education, prompting concerns among educators and researchers (Grassini, 2023; Halaweh, 2023). This research endeavours to utilise AI, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, to bolster and refine formal letter writing and email composition skills among first-cycle undergraduate students enrolled in the English for Engineering module at a Spanish university. Initially, students underwent a pre-test assessing their English proficiency and confidence levels, along with their familiarity with ChatGPT and other AI tools utilised for educational and writing purposes. Subsequently, students engaged in collaborative group tasks using Google Docs within Google Drive. Finally, a post-test was administered to gauge students' perceptions regarding their experience with English for Specific Purposes, particularly English for Mechanical Engineering, and their utilisation of ChatGPT and other AI tools for educational and writing purposes. Findings indicate that integrating AI can enhance students' grasp of written language accuracy in formal letter writing, particularly in inquiries, quotations, and complaint letters, facilitating better organisation and structure in their written correspondence in terms of style, accuracy, and communicative efficacy. This study suggests that investigations like the one presented here enable educators to explore the incorporation of AI, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, to enrich students' writing proficiency, foster creativity, and cultivate technological aptitude within the classroom setting.