Generative Artificial Intelligence as an Assistant in Learning English as a Foreign Language: Forums and Metalinguistic Reflection

Abstract

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has sparked considerable interest in educational contexts. Numerous experiences have been reported regarding the implementation of GAI in higher education in general and in supporting the learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This paper describes an experience in which the use of a GAI-based virtual assistant was implemented and explored in an EFL course at the university. A chatbot was designed for English 1, and students used it in four forum activities. The task involved producing a short-written text, revising it with the virtual assistant, engaging in metalinguistic reflection, and sharing these three stages in the forum. At the end of the semester, two surveys were administered to the students, and screenshots from the forums were collected. The findings indicate a high level of student interest in the use of the chatbot, as it mainly supports grammar, coherence, and vocabulary development, as evidenced in their reflections. The results further suggest that the chatbot largely met students’ needs related to the development of written production in EFL, thus justifying its integration as a complementary pedagogical resource.