Students’ Qualitative Narratives on the Role of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots as Tutors in English as a Second Language Writing Development

The processes of teaching and learning are primarily humanistic. However, contemporary artificial intelligence (AI) technology has significantly changed these processes. The current qualitative study aimed to explore this phenomenon by investigating the role that chatbots can play as language tutors in improving ESL students’ writing. Specifically, the study investigated students’ perceptions and experiences to assess the influence of ChatGPT-generated written communication on ESL writing improvement. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with undergraduates from the College of Languages and Translation at a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The emerging themes revealed that students held positive perceptions of the chatbot as a tutor, highlighting that collaborative learning with the chatbot facilitated the acquisition of writing skills and increased engagement in the writing process. Findings also showed noticeable improvement in language development, at lexical, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic levels, as well as in the use of cognitive and metacognitive writing strategies. The study recommends reevaluating traditional writing instruction methodologies and highlights the benefits of integrating AI chatbots into second-language writing pedagogy. Furthermore, the study emphasises students’ need for accessible English-language tutoring, such as chatbots, which provide immediate, real-time writing instruction. The study also addresses the implications of incorporating AI-powered chatbots into writing curricula at Saudi universities.