Educational application of ChatGPT: Its impact on Korean university students’ English speaking skills

This study explores how generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, can enhance English language education, focusing on personalized learning to maximize each learner’s potential. In an English conversation class, students in the experimental group used ChatGPT as a learning tool after the instructor provided preliminary training. The study compared the improvement in speaking skills between the experimental and control groups and observed learners’ attitudes towards ChatGPT. Results indicated that the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement in speaking skills and positive changes in affective attitudes towards learning with ChatGPT. The findings suggest the need for continuous efforts in the application of AI technology to English teaching methods to aid in improving learners" English speaking skills.