Integrating ChatGPT into Thai essay writing instruction for Vietnamese learners

Abstract

Integrating ChatGPT into essay writing instruction offers numerous benefits, helping learners develop writing competence and promoting the ethical use of AI. However, learners’ awareness of academic integrity does not necessarily guarantee that they will adhere to it. This study explores learners’ strategies for practicing Thai essay writing independently before participating in the ChatGPT integrated instructional method, learners’ evaluations of this new method, and learners’ awareness of academic integrity when using ChatGPT. The researchers conducted a quantitative study with 20 learners and collected data through pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The findings indicate that before the intervention, learners combined tools such as ChatGPT and Google Translate with traditional writing strategies. After the intervention, learners demonstrated positive attitudes toward the new instructional method. Nevertheless, they needed additional time to adapt, to develop critical evaluation skills for ChatGPT-generated information, and to enhance their awareness of academic integrity in AI-assisted essay writing. The study also reveals that instructors should not rely solely on the results of AI-detection tools, as these may produce false positives or inaccurate assessments. These findings underscore the crucial role of instructors in guiding, supervising, and safeguarding academic integrity, while highlighting the need to develop complementary assessment methods to evaluate learners’ competencies more objectively and effectively.