Developing Future Teachers’ Academic Writing and Critical Thinking Skills Using ChatGPT

Abstract

Preparing future teachers to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic world is a paramount challenge. Academic writing and critical thinking skills influence foreign language teachers’ professional growth, shaping their students’ cognitive development. This paper explores the integration of ChatGPT (generative pre-trained transformer) as a tool to augment future foreign language teachers’ academic writing and critical thinking skills. Through engagement with ChatGPT, future foreign language teachers have the opportunity to interact with a large language model that can provide targeted feedback, prompt thought-provoking discussions, and assist in refining professionally oriented competencies. This study examines the impact of ChatGPT on skills development through a comprehensive analysis of empirical data, pedagogical frameworks, and student experiences. A qualitative study conducted with 35 students enrolled in a foreign languages master’s program utilized focus group interviews and thematic analysis. The findings highlight ChatGPT’s limitations in content generation while also recognizing its potential to reduce research labor and assist in formatting and referencing tasks. The study underscores the importance of informed usage of ChatGPT, with students and educators recognizing the necessity of verifying information and maintaining academic integrity.