Draft:The application of Chat GPT in L2 Courses

Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence software, often referred to as a "chatbot", which uses natural language processing to generate humanlike dialogue in response to a user's prompt. The application itself is very user friendly, given that the textbox at the bottom of the screen is the only widget that users can interact with. Users can prompt the software by typing a question into the textbox. However, the application is not just limited to questions. Users can seek practical advice from the software pertaining to any matter. For example, a user can prompt the application to create a six-day workout plan aimed towards weight loss, or to give a three paragraph summary on the reasons for the fall of the Soviet Union. These are just two specific examples of the endless topics which Chat GPT is capable of understanding and regurgitating new information based on the intentions of the user.

This software's application surely extends to aiding users in second language acquisition. For one, Chat GPT can be used as a feedback tool by users who seek to improve their fluency in a second language. Users can upload text such as essays, speeches, or discussion posts and prompt the application to generate feedback based on specific rubrics. This provides the user with a more immersive and personalized experience. For example, users who are learning Spanish as a second language can prompt Chat GPT to provide feedback on an essay based on specific grammar, vocabulary, and arrangement requirements set forth within a professor's rubric. Another extremely useful application of Chat GPT in second language acquisition is its ability to generate personalized tasks for its users, such as multiple choice quizzes or long response questions. The personalization boils all the way down to being able to prompt the application for practice assignments based on level of difficulty. For example, users can prompt the application to generate multiple choice quizzes aimed towards beginner-level Spanish speakers, or aimed towards advanced-level Spanish speakers. This feature/practice allows the user to seek extra help outside of the classroom from Chat GPT, in case they are not understanding a topic covered in class and require more work to solidify their understandings of specialized topics in Spanish (and all other languages).

- Andres Arzola