Innovation in Language Learning

Since the emergence of ChatGPT, educators have become aware of the potential for students to generate essays using this program (Jimenez, 2023). In response, I have implemented pen-and-paper writing tests in my university classes in Japan to prevent this issue. Consequently, ChatGPT is utilized solely as a post-writing tool. Schmidt-Fajlik (2023) conducted a questionnaire to gather feedback from Japanese students on the tool's use as a grammar checker. However, this study aims to assess whether it has led to improvements in English writing. This presentation discusses how ChatGPT and peer noticing can be integrated to improve students' writing skills. To begin, participants were assigned the task of writing four essays. Prior to returning their essays, I carefully noted down any errors to observe whether they would avoid making the same mistakes in subsequent tasks. In the following week, students were provided with a specific ChatGPT prompt aimed at identifying and rectifying errors in their writing, which they recorded. Moreover, they were paired with peers who shared similar error patterns, allowing them to engage in discussions and mutual error recognition. Additionally, to encourage more English speaking opportunities, each student was asked to share at least one lesson learned from ChatGPT with the entire class. Through this study, we aim to assess the effectiveness of this combined approach in enhancing students' writing skills by the end of the semester.