Omar Massoud
About
No profileSessions
Presentation Integrating ChatGPT in First-Year ESL Writing: Enhancing Skills While Ensuring Ethical AI Use more
As AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into language learning education, this study investigates how these tools affect first-year ESL learners’ writing skills over two semesters. One group used ChatGPT for brainstorming, organization, and grammar checks, while a control group relied on teacher-led workshops, peer-review sessions, and textbook-based grammar practice. Data from pre- and post-tests, level assessments, and self-efficacy surveys indicate stronger improvements in writing fluency, organization, and confidence among those using ChatGPT, especially across different proficiency levels. However, findings also highlight potential pitfalls, including over-reliance on AI outputs and confusion around academic integrity despite the introduction of ethical AI use guidelines. This presentation discusses the benefits and challenges of integrating ChatGPT in first-year ESL writing instruction, emphasizing the need for structured guidance so students can effectively enhance their writing skills while developing responsible AI usage habits. Attendees will gain insights for balancing innovative technologies with foundational writing instruction, thereby promoting both language proficiency and ethical accountability.
Workshop Exploring AI-Generated Synthetic Speech for Perceptual Training and Production Practice more
This 60-minute hands-on workshop invites language teachers interested in CALL tasks to explore the potential of AI assistants in generating level-appropriate elicited imitation (EI) and shadowing (Sh) audio materials. Focusing on the research question: To what extent can AI assistants generate EI and Sh content that meets targeted linguistic complexity? Participants will critically assess whether synthetic speech meets phonetic and linguistic criteria and learn strategies to “trick” AI into producing more precise English audio outputs. The session will provide demonstrations on using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) alongside AI tools to generate audio files, supporting shadowing practice and enhancing perceptual discrimination skills. Interactive activities will compare AI-generated audio with human speech to evaluate naturalness, comprehensibility, and intelligibility. Attendees will gain practical skills in fine-tuning AI prompts, adapting synthetic outputs for diverse learner levels, and assessing speech quality using established linguistic criteria. Take-away benefits include hands-on experience with AI prompt engineering, insights into the integration of synthetic speech into language teaching, and practical guidelines for developing CALL materials that support both perceptual and productive language skills. This workshop empowers educators with innovative, empirically grounded strategies for enhancing language learning.
