AI-based Process-Writing in ESP: Korean University Students’ Cover Letter Refinement

초록

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and limitations of ChatGPT in improving Korean university students’ cover letter writing skills in ESP contexts. Data were collected from 48 university students through pre- and post-writing, survey questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. The research methodology combined quantitative analysis using SPSS Statistics 29 for survey data and qualitative analysis of interview responses. The findings demonstrated that ChatGPT significantly enhanced students’ linguistic performance, particularly in vocabulary usage, grammatical accuracy, and writing clarity, while reducing writing anxiety and improving learning efficiency. However, the tool showed limitations in developing higher-order cognitive skills, including critical thinking and creativity. The study concludes that ChatGPT should serve as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for traditional instruction, and recommends developing specific pedagogical strategies to maximize its benefits while addressing its limitations. These findings provide valuable insights for educators seeking to integrate AI-based tools effectively into ESP writing instruction, emphasizing the importance of balancing technological assistance with learner autonomy. Further investigation into pedagogical frameworks is needed to optimize AI assistance in ESP contexts.

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