OPTIMIZING FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ WRITING SKILLS WITH AI: EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CHATGPT

Writing is a core skill that foreign language learners must master in the process of language learning, but it is also one of the most challenging. Successful writing involves a combination of grammar proficiency, vocabulary knowledge, cultural awareness, critical thinking, adherence to spelling and punctuation rules, as well as the ability to maintain cohesion, coherence, and appropriate register depending on the text type. With the rise of AI-driven technologies, particularly chatbots like ChatGPT, there is a growing interest in their potential to enhance writing skills. While recent research indicates that AI tools can accelerate and facilitate the writing process, it also highlights concerns about the risks of misuse, which could hinder learning outcomes if not properly managed. This paper examines the role of AI in supporting the development of foreign language learners’ writing skills. By reviewing existing research, it identifies effective strategies for integrating ChatGPT into the writing process while upholding academic integrity and ethical standards. The paper also reports on a small-scale experiment on essay writing conducted with university students from RN Macedonia, who were given explicit instructions on using ChatGPT to improve their original essays. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of students’ original and revised essays demonstrate the importance of clear guidance in AI use and underscore the significant potential of AI to enhance learners’ writing skills.