EVALUATING CHATGPT’S INFLUENCE ON ESL EDUCATORS’ TEACHING AND MOTIVATION

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has significantly transformed teaching methodologies, with ChatGPT emerging as a widely adopted tool among English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors. AI-powered tools provide automated lesson planning, real-time student feedback, personalized learning resources, and enhanced engagement strategies, revolutionizing traditional pedagogical approaches. However, while AI has been recognized for streamlining teaching processes and improving efficiency, concerns persist regarding its potential impact on teacher autonomy, instructional quality, content accuracy, and ethical considerations. This study aims to examine the impact of ChatGPT on pedagogical approaches, resource accessibility, and teacher motivation, providing empirical insights into how AI is reshaping ESL instruction. Using a quantitative research methodology, data were collected from 39 ESL educators across universities, polytechnics, community colleges, and schools in Malaysia through structured surveys. The study sought to determine how ChatGPT influences lesson planning, teaching effectiveness, and student engagement, while also addressing concerns about over-reliance on AI, content accuracy, and ethical implications. The findings indicate that 92.3% of ESL instructors have incorporated ChatGPT into their teaching practices, primarily for lesson planning, student feedback, and resource development. Educators reported that AI tools significantly assisted in creating instructional content,generatingideasforinteractiveexercises,andofferingreal-timegrammarandvocabulary support. Additionally, 79.4% of educators observed a shift toward student-centered learning, leveraging ChatGPT to personalize learning experiences and provide adaptive instruction tailored to students’ proficiency levels. AI integration was also linked to increased efficiency in lesson planning and reduced workload, contributing to higher job satisfaction, with 75% of educators reporting a positive impact on motivation. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship (r = 0.74) between AI usage and instructor motivation, while regression analysis (R2 = 0.55) suggested that higher ChatGPT adoption predicts greater teaching satisfaction. Furthermore, 60% of respondents observed improved student engagement, particularly in writing exercises, discussion-based activities, and independent language practice. Students benefited from AI-assisted feedback, which enhanced their grammar, sentence structure, and content organization skills, ultimately improving their writing proficiency. However, despite these benefits, concerns about AI’s limitations were raised, particularly regarding cultural sensitivity, contextual appropriateness, and ethical implications. 25% of educators expressed reservations about ChatGPT’s ability to capture nuanced language aspects, noting that AI-generated responses often lack contextual awareness and tone adaptation, which are essential in language instruction. Additionally, educators highlighted the risk of students becoming overly dependent on AI-generated content, potentially undermining critical thinking, originality, and independent language development. Another critical concern was AI literacy among educators, as many instructors lack formal training in AI integration, making it challenging to maximize its benefits while mitigating risks. This study highlights the need for structured AI literacy programs, equipping educators with best practices for AI-assisted teaching, ethical considerations, and techniques for verifying AI-generated content. To address these challenges, institutions should develop AI implementation guidelines, ensuring that ChatGPT enhances rather than replaces human-led instruction. The findings of this study contribute to ongoing discussions on AI-driven pedagogy, offering practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and institutions on how to responsibly integrate AI into ESL classrooms. By fostering AI literacy, ethical AI usage, and balanced teaching strategies, institutions can maximize AI’s benefits while preserving pedagogical integrity. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of regulating AI adoption in education, ensuring that AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for critical teaching and learning processes.