Integration of ChatGPT into the Process of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language

This study is dedicated to examining the impact of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly large language models (LLMs), on the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language (ELE). The focus is on the changes occurring in educational practices as a result of the integration of generative systems such as ChatGPT. The research addresses both the potential benefits of incorporating AI into the learning process—such as personalized instruction, the development of communication skills, and increased student motivation—and the risks associated with the misuse of AI, the decline in independent work, and the distortion of academic integrity. Special attention is given to identifying effective and ethical strategies for the application of LLMs in ELE teaching, as well as the need to adapt pedagogical methods to new digital conditions. The study employed systemic analysis to identify interrelations between AI and educational practices; deductive and inductive methods for hypothesis formulation and testing; a structural-functional approach to analyze the role of LLMs in the learning process; and pedagogical observation to capture the specifics of AI usage in real classroom environments. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the impact of large language models on the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language, as well as in the substantiation of practical recommendations for their integration into educational practice. The study highlights both the positive aspects of AI implementation—such as enhanced personalization, expanded linguistic practice, and improved access to educational resources—and key risks, including reduced student autonomy, challenges in maintaining academic integrity, and the likelihood of linguistic errors. Emphasis is placed on the need to foster critical thinking skills among students, update assessment methods, and strengthen teacher training. The research underlines that the effective integration of AI into the educational process must be accompanied by pedagogical innovations aimed at maintaining the quality of education and fostering students' independent information processing skills.