The journey of speaking German with ChatGPT: an experimental exploration of personalized language experiences

This study aims to investigate the impact of ChatGPT 3.5 on the German-language skills of university-level students primarily. Conducted using a quasi-experimental design, the study involved an experimental group that practiced speaking with ChatGPT and a control group that continued learning through traditional methods. The findings suggest that ChatGPT makes limited contributions to the development of speaking skills. While students found ChatGPT helpful for learning new vocabulary and improving pronunciation, they felt it could not replace fundamental human interactions. Progress in speaking skills was also observed among the control group, highlighting the importance of peer dialogues. The results indicate that while AI-powered tools like ChatGPT 3.5 can support the language learning process, a comprehensive language development approach requires the integration of human interactions and diverse teaching methods. Future research could explore ChatGPT's effects on various language skills across student groups and proficiency levels in greater detail.