Low-proficiency EFL undergraduates report feeling more competent in English tasks through ChatGPT-assisted writing feedback, conversational practice, and translation support¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · qualitative r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Students experienced greater competence handling English-language tasks, including essay writing with idea generation, editing and proofreading, conversational practice, and translation from Malay to English. → Annamalai N 2026

Evidence¶

Annamalai N 2026¶

Annamalai N, Nasor M, Din Eak A and Ayoub Alkubaisy AA (2026) Students’ experiences of using ChatGPT for English language learning: a qualitative study in a Malaysian higher education institution. Front. Psychol. 17:1875727. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1875727

q2 · i? · qualitative · r3

Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews (30–45 min) with 25 Malaysian undergraduates who had used ChatGPT at least twice weekly for a 5-month semester. Participants reported that "competence was experienced not merely through access to assistance" but as growing effectiveness and confidence; no effect sizes are reported in this qualitative study.

"Overall, competence was experienced not merely through access to assistance but through learners’ perceptions that they were becoming more effective, confident, and capable in navigating Englishlanguagechallenges."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Self-Efficacy — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Students report heightened autonomy in English learning through self-directed regulation, personalized feedback, and active evaluation of ChatGPT suggestions — related
• EFL students perceive AI-generated writing feedback as a competent source that improves vocabulary, grammar, structure, coherence, and values its immediacy — related
• Students experience a perceived sense of support and connectedness through conversational ChatGPT interaction, though this is not genuine human relatedness — related
• Students report negative experiences with ChatGPT including inaccurate outputs, lack of emotional connection, and risk of overreliance, which constrain competence — related
• EFL proficiency significantly shapes chatbot interaction: high-proficiency learners over-engage in dialogue while low-proficiency learners over-rely on feedback requests — related