The use of ChatGPT while Maritime English teaching and assessment

ChatGPT is a powerful tool widely used by many students. It is important for educators to understand how it can be utilised to reduce the time spent on repeated assessments. The aim of this study was to enhance the teaching of Maritime English through the use of ChatGPT. The research employed methods such as analysis, systematisation, observation, comparison, generalisation, and interpretation of results. The article explored the potential of using a new AI-powered chatbot in the teaching of Maritime English and in the assessment of future marine engineers. By leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities, Maritime English instructors were able to offer students an interactive language learning experience that simulates real-life communication scenarios. This innovative approach not only improved students’ language skills but also prepared them for effective communication at sea. It was found that ChatGPT can generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses, as it is initially trained on a diverse dataset before being fine-tuned for specific tasks, and processes sequential data − making it particularly effective for understanding natural language. The study outlined the functions of the chatbot and presents a model for implementing ChatGPT in Maritime English teaching. It concluded with challenges encountered during the research and suggested possible solutions. The study highlighted that ChatGPT can provide instant feedback on grammar, vocabulary usage, and communication style, enabling students to continuously improve their language proficiency. It can be used for both oral and written assessments, providing accurate evaluations of students’ language competence and communicative abilities. Integrating ChatGPT into existing Maritime English courses can complement traditional teaching methods and increase student engagement. The findings of the study can be used by Maritime English educators to enhance their knowledge of how to effectively integrate ChatGPT into their lessons