ChatGPT and the development of core language skills - An exploratory study of EFL college students

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo

Chatbots with AI capabilities, such as ChatGPT, serve as interactive and adaptive tools for language learning, and this exploratory study investigates how they support core language skill development in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. Thirty EFL college students from Iraq and the Czech Republic participated in a six-week experiment using ChatGPT in different roles, including content analysis, as a guide, and as an exercise partner and rater. Phenomenographic interviews followed the intervention. Results show limited effectiveness for pure content-analysis outputs, while guided use and partner interaction strongly support speaking, writing, listening, reading, and communication, with effects varying by prompts and generally positive learner attitudes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study Design and Intervention

Findings and Discussion

Implications

OPEN ACCESS Research Article Contemporary Educational Technology, 2025, 17(4), ep591 ISSN: 1309-517X (Online) ChatGPT and the development of core language skills: An exploratory study of EFL college students Liqaa Habeb Al-Obaydi 1 0000-0003-3991-6035 Marcel Pikhart 2* 0000-0002-5633-9332 Md Kamal Hossain 3 0009-0005-0009-6166 1 English Department, College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Diyala, Baquba, IRAQ 2 Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Králové, CZECH REPUBLIC 3 Department of Teacher Education, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA * [Corresponding author:](Corresponding author: marcel.pikhart@uhk.cz)[ marcel.pikhart@uhk.cz](Corresponding author: marcel.pikhart@uhk.cz) Citation: Al-Obaydi, L. H., Pikhart, M., & Hossain, M. K. (2025) . ChatGPT and the development of core language skills: An exploratory study of EFL college students. Contemporary Educational Technology, 17(4), ep591. [https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/17242](https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/17242) ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT | Received: 10 Dec 2024
Accepted: 17 Jun 2025
INTRODUCTION | Chatbots with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, such as ChatGPT, are an important tool for language learning because they provide an interactive and adaptive learning environment that can be adjusted to each learner’s level of skill. This paper explores the application of ChatGPT, an advanced AI-powered chatbot, as a tool for language learning, focusing on the development of core language skills such as speaking, reading, writing, listening, and communication. The study involves 30 English as a foreign language college students from two different higher education contexts, Iraq and the Czech Republic. The research utilizes two methods; content analysis by asking direct questions and using ChatGPT as a guide to recommend actions is the second phase, followed by an exercise partner and rater. Jigsaw technique is also used to assign language skills to the groups of participants to consult ChatGPT then share and evaluate its effectiveness. A phenomenographic research design using an interview was used to gather data for this study, which accurately reflects how a group of people views a certain phenomenon. Following the six-week experiment, the participants are interviewed to get their thoughts on using ChatGPT to improve language skills. The findings indicate that ChatGPT’s content analysis method has limited effectiveness in developing language skills due to the kind of output gained which is only instructions and/or recommendations. However, using ChatGPT as a guide and then as a partner offers very big support for students in all language skills, with varied results influenced by the prompts used. Students generally have positive attitudes toward using ChatGPT, finding it essential for developing their speaking (75%), writing (100%), listening (87%), reading (87%), and communication (75%) . The study suggests that ChatGPT may be more advantageous for students if it is used in regular language practice for a long period of time.
Keywords: ChatGPT, foreign language learning, core language skills, second language acquisition, digital learning, chatbots, artificial intelligence in education | | --- | --- | A key component of successful second language learning is producing rich output, which is encouraged by the contemporary use of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots. ChatGPT is an effective example that is able to create and react to dialogue suggestions that resemble those of a human. ChatGPT’s ability to accurately mimic human interaction offers a novel and intriguing approach to language learning, even though chatbots have been used in educational settings since the early 1970s (Huang et al., 2022; Kim et al., 2022) . ChatGPT sets itself apart from conventional language learning resources by making it simple f

FAQs

What core language skills does the study focus on improving with ChatGPT?

The study targets speaking, reading, writing, listening, and communication as core language skills for EFL students.

How was ChatGPT used during the six-week experiment?

Participants used ChatGPT in multiple roles, including a content-analysis phase through direct questions and a second phase where ChatGPT provided guidance, followed by use as an exercise partner and rater; a jigsaw technique also assigned skills to groups.

What do the results indicate about ChatGPT’s effectiveness?

Pure content analysis showed limited effectiveness because the outputs were mainly instructions or recommendations. Using ChatGPT as a guide and as a partner provided stronger support across all language skills, with outcomes influenced by the prompts used.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo