Utilizing ChatGPT in checking academic writing for postgraduate students

Although artificial intelligence has long been controversial, there is no doubt about its enormous impact on language education. This study investigates the potential utility of ChatGPT in assisting postgraduate students enrolled in academic writing courses at a public university in Southeast Asia in terms of grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and cohesiveness. The study used quantitative data collected through questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT in improving students' academic writing skills. Data was gathered via an online questionnaire completed by 18 postgraduate students who had used the chatbot to write essays. Our findings reveal that ChatGPT can significantly enhance students' writing skills, helping them avoid grammatical and lexical errors while also reducing writing time. However, the study also uncovered certain challenges, such as concerns about the use of a copyrighted chatbot and the cost of implementation. Despite these obstacles, the research underscores the value of ChatGPT as a tool for educators designing language programs and for researchers working in comparable settings.