Enhancing Students’ Communication Skills through AI-Assisted Role-Play Using ChatGPT in an English for Hospitality Business Course: A Case Study
Keywords:
AI-assisted learning, ChatGPT, Communication skills, Role-play, English for Hospitality BusinessAbstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in language education has created new opportunities for enhancing students’ communication skills through interactive learning environments. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of AI-assisted role-play using ChatGPT in enhancing students’ communication skills in an English for Hospitality Business course. The study also explored students’ perceptions toward the use of ChatGPT in role-play activities. A case study research design was employed in this study. The participants consisted of 56 undergraduate students enrolled in an English for Hospitality Business course at a university in Thailand. The research instruments included AI-assisted role-play activities, a communication skills assessment rubric, and a questionnaire measuring students’ perceptions toward the use of ChatGPT in learning activities. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, while qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that students demonstrated a high level of communication performance in AI-assisted role-play activities, particularly in interactional skills and appropriateness of language use. The findings also indicated that students had highly positive perceptions toward the use of ChatGPT as a learning tool. Many students reported that ChatGPT helped them practice English communication more effectively, increased their confidence in speaking English, and made learning activities more engaging. The findings suggest that AI-assisted role-play can serve as an effective instructional strategy for enhancing communication skills in English for Specific Purposes courses, particularly in hospitality-related contexts.
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