The Pros and Cons of ChatGPT in Foreign Language Teaching and Its Impact on Student Motivation

Abstract

Artificial intelligence has rapidly entered contemporary society, influencing individuals across all age groups and integrated into various fields, including language teaching. However, this rapid adoption has raised concerns among both educators and researchers. This study was designed to address these concerns by providing empirical evidence. The primary objective was to examine the impact of ChatGPT on student motivation in foreign language learning and to identify its advantages and disadvantages in classroom settings. A mixed-method approach was employed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study aimed to answer the following questions: "What is the effect of ChatGPT on student motivation in foreign language teaching?" and "How are students' experiences and perceptions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of ChatGPT in language learning?" The findings indicate that ChatGPT-based classroom activities positively influenced student motivation, with its benefits outweighing its limitations. The most frequently cited advantages included grammatical error correction, vocabulary learning, translation assistance, fast performance, and providing accurate and consistent responses. However, drawbacks, such as occasional repetition, internet dependency, incorrect responses, and the lack of human-like interaction, were also identified. While internet dependency remains a challenge, proper guidance from educators can mitigate other limitations. The recent emergence of ChatGPT has prompted extensive discussions across disciplines. As research on its advantages and drawbacks expands, this study contributes to the discourse on the comprehension and pedagogical application of artificial intelligence in language education.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, foreign language teaching, ChatGPT, motivation, pros and cons of ChatGPT