Voice of the Insiders: Graduate Students’ Perceptions of the Application of ChatGPT in an EAP Context

Academic English writing is an essential yet challenging domain for English learners (ELs). This study explored graduate-level ELs’ perceptions of applying ChatGPT in educational settings, particularly in relation to their second/foreign language (L2) development. We collected students’ argumentative essays and conducted focus group interviews from four intact classes of an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course at a top-tier Chinese university. Whereas the students generally had a positive attitude toward the use of ChatGPT in higher education and highlighted functions that expedited the accomplishment of academic tasks and/or facilitated academic English writing on the language level, they also tended to be cautious and defined ChatGPT as a tool that required the guidance of human agency. Such views and perceptions provide insights into how to integrate AI tools such as ChatGPT strategically and appropriately into teaching and learning in EAP courses, especially at the graduate level.