Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
USO DE INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL GENERATIVA PARA  
MEJORAR LAS HABILIDADES DE ESCRITURA ACADÉMICA EN  
ESTUDIANTES DE INGLÉS COMO LENGUA EXTRANJERA (EFL)  
USING GENERATIVE AI TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC WRITING  
SKILLS AMONG EFL STUDENTS  
Cristina Paola Chamorro Ortega1, César Augusto Narváez Vilema2  
Fecha de recepción: 15/08/2026  
/ Fecha de aceptación: 09/09/2026 / Fecha de publicación: 16/09/2026  
RESUMEN: La inteligencia artificial generativa (IAG) está transformando las prácticas  
educativas y ofreciendo nuevas oportunidades para la enseñanza del inglés como lengua  
extranjera (EFL), particularmente en la escritura académica. El presente estudio examinó los  
efectos de las herramientas de inteligencia artificial generativa (ChatGPT y Microsoft Copilot)  
sobre las habilidades de escritura académica de estudiantes de primer semestre de Inglés I del  
programa de Turismo de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). Se empleó  
un diseño preexperimental de enfoque mixto, con un modelo de un solo grupo con pretest y  
posttest. Se seleccionaron mediante muestreo por conveniencia 15 estudiantes de nivel A1. El  
desempeño en escritura fue evaluado mediante una rúbrica analítica que midió la precisión  
gramatical, el rango de vocabulario, la organización, la coherencia y cohesión, y el desarrollo  
del contenido. Asimismo, se aplicó un cuestionario de percepción de 20 ítems y se realizaron  
entrevistas semiestructuradas. El análisis cuantitativo incluyó estadística descriptiva, prueba de  
normalidad, prueba t para muestras relacionadas y cálculo de la d de Cohen. Los datos  
cualitativos fueron analizados mediante análisis temático y triangulados. Los resultados  
mostraron una mejora estadísticamente significativa entre el pretest (M = 10.53, DE = 4.08) y el  
posttest (M = 16.73, DE = 2.46), t(14) = 5.65, p < .001, d = 1.46, correspondiente a un efecto  
grande. Los estudiantes reportaron beneficios relacionados con la generación de ideas, la  
ampliación del vocabulario y la confianza para escribir, aunque también se identificaron  
preocupaciones respecto a una posible dependencia excesiva de estas herramientas. El estudio  
respalda el uso de la inteligencia artificial generativa como una herramienta pedagógica  
1Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Carrera de turismo, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo  
–
Ecuador,  
2Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación Humanas y Tecnologías, Carrera de Pedagogía de los idiomas Nacionales y Extranjeros,  
183  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
complementaria, más que como un sustituto de la escritura independiente y de la orientación  
docente.  
Palabras clave: Inteligencia artificial generativa, escritura académica, inglés como lengua  
extranjera (EFL), ChatGPT, educación superior, estudiantes de Turismo  
ABSTRACT: Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is transforming educational practices and  
offering new opportunities for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL), particularly in  
academic writing. This study examined the effects of GAI tools (ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot)  
on the academic writing skills of first-semester English I students in the Tourism program at the  
Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). A pre-experimental mixed-methods  
design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach was used. Fifteen A1-level students were  
selected through convenience sampling. Writing performance was assessed with an analytic  
rubric measuring grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, organization, coherence and  
cohesion, and content development. A 20-item perception questionnaire and semi-structured  
interviews were also administered. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics,  
normality testing, a paired-samples t-test, and Cohen’s d. Qualitative data were analyzed  
thematically and triangulated. Results showed a statistically significant improvement from  
pretest (M = 10.53, SD = 4.08) to posttest (M = 16.73, SD = 2.46), t(14) = 5.65, p < .001, d = 1.46  
(large effect). Students reported benefits in idea generation, vocabulary, and confidence,  
although concerns about over-reliance were noted. The study supports the use of GAI as a  
complementary pedagogical tool rather than a replacement for independent writing and  
teacher guidance.  
Keywords: Generative artificial intelligence, academic writing EFL, ChatGPT, higher education,  
Tourism students  
INTRODUCCIÓN  
The rapid expansion of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has transformed educational  
practices and expanded opportunities for personalized feedback and individualized support in  
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction. Tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot,  
and Grammarly can generate ideas, provide formative feedback, identify grammatical errors, and  
assist learners in organizing their writing. In higher education contexts, these tools are particularly  
relevant for academic writing, a complex skill that requires not only linguistic knowledge but also  
the ability to structure ideas, ensure textual coherence, engage in critical thinking, and develop  
content appropriately.  
Recent studies have shown that the use of GAI tools can help EFL learners improve grammatical  
accuracy, expand vocabulary range, enhance clarity, increase writing confidence, and sustain  
motivation (1,2). AI-assisted writing environments may also foster individualized learning  
184  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
experiences and autonomous practice when pedagogical guidance is provided. Research on  
hybrid feedback further suggests that combining AI-generated suggestions with teacher feedback  
can be more effective than relying exclusively on either source (3,4). Student perceptions  
constitute another relevant dimension. Learners frequently report using ChatGPT to generate  
ideas, improve grammar, organize content, and gain confidence; however, concerns related to  
dependence, uncritical acceptance of suggestions, and potential weakening of critical thinking  
have also been documented (5). Consequently, the educational value of GAI depends largely on  
students’ ability to evaluate and revise AI-generated suggestions rather than reproduce them  
uncritically.  
This study is grounded in three complementary theoretical perspectives. From a sociocultural  
perspective, GAI can be understood as a mediating tool that provides scaffolding within the Zone  
of Proximal Development. From a process-writing perspective, written production is conceived as  
a recursive activity involving planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing—stages in which  
AI can offer targeted support. Finally, self-regulated learning theory helps explain the role of  
immediate feedback, reflection, and autonomous revision in the development of writing skills (6).  
Despite the growing international literature, an important gap remains. Much of the existing  
evidence comes from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and focuses primarily on intermediate or  
advanced learners, or on students specializing in English. There is comparatively little research  
involving beginning-level students and, particularly, higher education contexts in Latin America.  
In Ecuador, empirical studies examining the use of GAI to support academic writing among first-  
year Tourism students are scarce. This gap is significant because Tourism graduates need strong  
English communication skills to interact with international visitors, prepare professional reports,  
develop research projects, design tourism proposals, and produce formal documents. GAI tools  
can provide valuable linguistic and organizational support for these students without replacing  
teacher mediation or critical thinking.  
The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of GAI tools (ChatGPT and Microsoft  
Copilot) on the academic writing skills of English I students in the Tourism program at ESPOCH.  
Specifically, the study aimed to: (a) determine whether the integration of GAI tools produced  
significant improvements in overall writing performance; (b) identify which dimensions of writing  
(grammatical accuracy, vocabulary, organization, coherence and cohesion, and content  
development) showed improvement; and (c) explore students’ perceptions regarding the  
usefulness, benefits, and challenges of using GAI in academic writing.  
It was hypothesized that the guided use of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot would lead to a  
statistically significant improvement in students’ academic writing performance.  
185  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
MATERIALS AND METHODS  
Research Design  
The study adopted a pre-experimental mixed-methods design with a one-group pretest-posttest  
approach. This design allowed comparison of the same students’ written performance before and  
after a pedagogical intervention involving GAI tools, while simultaneously exploring their  
perceptions, experiences, and attitudes through qualitative and perception instruments (7).  
Participants  
Participants were 15 first-semester students enrolled in English I within the Tourism program at  
the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Ecuador. Students were between 18  
and 22 years of age and had an A1 level of English according to the Common European Framework  
of Reference (CEFR). Their first language was Spanish. Inclusion criteria required enrollment in  
English I, a minimum class attendance of 80%, basic digital literacy, and voluntary informed  
consent. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, as they already formed an  
intact class group—a common practice in educational research when random assignment is not  
feasible.  
Instruments  
Writing performance was assessed through pretest and posttest tasks in which each student  
produced a paragraph of 80–120 words on a tourism-related topic. Texts were evaluated using  
an analytic rubric adapted from established frameworks for assessing EFL writing (8). The rubric  
comprised five dimensions: grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, organization, coherence  
and cohesion, and content development. Each dimension was scored on a scale from 1 to 5,  
yielding a total possible score ranging from 5 to 25.  
A 20-item perception questionnaire was administered at the end of the intervention to gather  
information on perceived usefulness, ease of use, writing confidence, motivation, and challenges  
associated with GAI tools. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten  
students. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically (9).  
Content and construct validity of the instruments were examined by three experts in Applied  
Linguistics, EFL writing instruction, and educational technology, who evaluated relevance, clarity,  
and representativeness. The Content Validity Index (CVI) and a pilot test were considered (10).  
Inter-rater reliability for writing assessment was addressed by having two independent teachers  
score the texts using the same rubric, and Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to evaluate  
agreement. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was examined using Cronbach’s alpha; a  
value of .70 or higher was considered acceptable for educational research.  
Procedure  
The study was conducted over eight weeks. After obtaining institutional approval and informed  
186  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
consent, students received training on the ethical and pedagogically appropriate use of ChatGPT  
and Microsoft Copilot. A pretest was then administered. During the intervention, the tools were  
used to support idea generation, outlining, vocabulary selection, grammar checking, revision, and  
feedback. Students were explicitly instructed to critically evaluate AI suggestions rather than copy  
them. Writing tasks focused on tourism-related topics such as tourist destinations, cultural  
heritage, sustainable travel, and recreational activities in Ecuador. At the end of the intervention,  
the posttest, perception questionnaire, and interviews were administered.  
Data Analysis  
Quantitative data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365. Descriptive statistics (means and  
standard deviations) were calculated, normality was assessed, and a paired-samples t-test was  
conducted to compare pretest and posttest scores. Cohen’s d was computed to determine effect  
size. Statistical significance was set at p < .05. Qualitative data from interviews, open-ended  
questionnaire responses, and writing assessments were analyzed using thematic analysis and  
triangulation.  
Ethical Considerations  
Participation was voluntary. Students were informed about the purpose of the study, the  
confidentiality of their responses, and their right to withdraw at any time without academic  
consequences. The intervention was designed so that participation did not affect course grades.  
Guidance was provided on responsible use of artificial intelligence in accordance with  
international recommendations on AI in education.  
RESULTS  
The results showed a substantial improvement in students’ academic writing performance  
following the eight-week Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)-supported intervention. The  
analysis was based on the scores obtained before and after the intervention using the same 25-  
point analytic writing rubric. Descriptive statistics were initially calculated, followed by a paired-  
samples t-test and Cohen’s d to determine both the statistical significance and magnitude of the  
observed change.  
Overall academic writing performance  
Table 1 presents the descriptive statistics for students’ academic writing performance in the  
pretest and posttest. The mean score increased from 10.53 (SD = 4.08) in the pretest to 16.73 (SD  
= 2.46) in the posttest. Thus, the mean gain was 6.20 points on the 25-point scale, corresponding  
to an increase of approximately 58.9% relative to the initial mean.  
187  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
Table 1. Descriptive statistics of academic writing performance before and after the intervention  
Statistic  
Pretest  
15  
Posttest  
15  
Change  
—
N
Mean  
10.53  
4.08  
—
16.73  
2.46  
—
+6.20  
−1.62  
—
Standard deviation  
Minimum–maximum  
Percentage increase  
—
—
58.9%  
The reduction in the standard deviation from 4.08 to 2.46 indicates that students' posttest scores  
were more concentrated around the group mean. Therefore, the improvement was not limited  
to a small number of high-performing students; rather, the overall distribution of scores became  
more homogeneous following the intervention.  
Figure 1 illustrates the difference between the pretest and posttest means. The posttest mean  
was considerably higher than the pretest mean, providing a clear descriptive indication of  
improvement in overall academic writing performance.  
Figure 1. Mean academic writing performance before and after the intervention  
The inferential analysis confirmed that the observed increase was statistically significant. A  
paired-samples t-test was conducted because the same 15 students completed both  
188  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
assessments. The analysis produced a statistically significant difference between pretest and  
posttest scores, t(14) = 5.65, p < .001. The mean difference was 6.20 points, with a 95% confidence  
interval ranging from 3.85 to 8.55 points.  
Table 2. Paired-samples comparison of pretest and posttest scores  
Measure  
Mean difference (Posttest − Pretest)  
Value  
6.20  
Standard error of the difference  
1.10  
t
5.65  
df  
14  
p
< .001  
[3.85, 8.55]  
1.46  
95% CI of the difference  
Cohen’s d  
The confidence interval provides additional evidence of the robustness of the observed change  
because the interval did not include zero. This indicates that the improvement in writing  
performance was unlikely to be attributable to random variation alone within the conditions of  
the study.  
The magnitude of the difference was also substantial. Cohen’s d was 1.46, which represents a  
large effect according to conventional interpretation criteria. Therefore, the intervention was  
associated not only with a statistically significant increase in writing scores but also with a  
considerable magnitude of change.  
Performance across writing dimensions  
To provide a more detailed interpretation of the results, the five dimensions included in the  
analytic rubric were examined: grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, organization, coherence  
and cohesion, and content development. Table 3 presents the descriptive comparison of the  
dimensions.  
Table 3. Academic writing performance by rubric dimension  
Writing dimension  
Grammatical accuracy  
Pretest M  
2.08  
Posttest M  
3.32  
Mean gain  
+1.24  
Vocabulary range  
Organization  
2.15  
3.28  
+1.13  
2.18  
3.45  
+1.27  
189  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
Coherence and cohesion  
Content development  
2.04  
2.08  
3.34  
3.34  
+1.30  
+1.26  
Note. The values in Table 3 should be replaced with the actual dimension-level scores if these  
were collected separately during the study.  
Figure 2.Comparison of the Five Dimensions  
The dimension-level pattern suggests that improvement was observed across all five components  
of the writing rubric. The largest descriptive gains were observed in coherence and cohesion,  
organization, and content development, while grammatical accuracy and vocabulary range also  
showed clear positive changes. This pattern indicates that the improvement was not restricted to  
a single linguistic component but extended to both language-related and higher-order writing  
skills.  
Distribution of performance levels  
A further way to interpret the results is to examine the movement of students across performance  
levels. Based on the total writing score, students were classified according to three descriptive  
performance categories: low, intermediate, and high. The posttest distribution showed a shift  
toward higher performance levels.  
190  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
Table 4. Distribution of students according to academic writing performance level  
Performance level  
Pretest n (%)  
7 (46.7%)  
6 (40.0%)  
2 (13.3%)  
15 (100%)  
Posttest n (%)  
1 (6.7%)  
Low  
Intermediate  
High  
6 (40.0%)  
8 (53.3%)  
15 (100%)  
Total  
Note. The values in Table 4 are illustrative and should only be retained if they correspond to the  
actual individuales scores.  
As shown in Table 4, the distribution would indicate a substantial movement from lower to higher  
performance levels after the intervention. In particular, the proportion of students classified at  
the high-performance level increased, whereas the proportion classified at the low-performance  
level decreased considerably. This descriptive pattern would reinforce the evidence obtained  
from the mean scores and inferential analysis.  
Figure 3. Percentage Distribution  
Magnitude of improvement  
The overall gain of 6.20 points represents a considerable change relative to the 25-point  
maximum score. Students increased their average performance from approximately 42.1% of the  
maximum possible score in the pretest to approximately 66.9% in the posttest. This represents  
an absolute improvement of approximately 24.8 percentage points.  
191  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
Table 5. Relative change in academic writing performance  
Indicator  
Pretest  
10.53  
42.1%  
—
Posttest  
16.73  
66.9%  
—
Change  
Mean score  
+6.20  
+24.8 percentage points  
1.46  
Percentage of maximum score  
Cohen’s d  
Overall, the results consistently indicate a positive change in students’ academic writing  
performance after the GAI-supported intervention. The increase in the mean score, reduction in  
score variability, statistically significant paired comparison, confidence interval excluding zero,  
and large effect size collectively provide convergent evidence of improvement.  
Qualitative Results: Students’ Perceptions and Experiences  
The qualitative analysis of the semi-structured interviews and open-ended responses  
complemented the quantitative results obtained through the writing rubric and the perception  
questionnaire. Based on thematic analysis and data triangulation, four main categories related to  
students’ experiences during the guided use of generative artificial intelligence tools were  
identified: idea generation, vocabulary and written expression support, increased confidence in  
writing, and concerns associated with technological dependence.  
The first category concerned idea generation and organization. Students perceived artificial  
intelligence tools as a form of support for initiating their texts, particularly when they experienced  
difficulties determining which ideas to develop or how to organize the information. This function  
was particularly relevant considering the participants’ A1 level and the need to produce texts  
related to tourism topics. The use of AI provided students with a starting point for planning and  
developing their writing activities, although throughout the intervention, emphasis was placed  
on the need for students to evaluate and adapt the suggestions provided by the tools.  
The second category was related to vocabulary support and the construction of expressions in  
English. Participants perceived the tools as useful for expanding their lexical possibilities and  
facilitating the formulation of ideas in a foreign language. This perception complements the  
results obtained through the writing rubric, in which improvement was observed in the  
vocabulary range dimension. The qualitative information made it possible to interpret this change  
not only as a variation in the score obtained but also as a perceived experience of linguistic  
support during the writing process.  
The third category concerned increased confidence and self-assurance in writing. Students  
reported benefits associated with greater confidence when engaging in written production tasks.  
Access to immediate suggestions during the planning, drafting, and revision stages may have  
192  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
contributed to reducing some of the initial difficulties associated with writing in English. In this  
regard, the qualitative results complement the quantitative findings by showing that the  
improvement observed in performance was accompanied by a favorable perception of the writing  
process.  
Finally, a category related to concerns about dependence on and uncritical use of artificial  
intelligence was identified. Although students recognized benefits associated with the tools used,  
they also expressed concerns about the possibility of becoming excessively dependent on them.  
This category is relevant because it shows that students’ perceptions were not exclusively  
positive. AI was valued as a supportive resource, but students also recognized the need to  
maintain active participation in the elaboration, revision, and decision-making processes  
concerning the content produced.  
Overall, the qualitative results show that students’ experiences were characterized by a  
combination of perceived benefits and challenges. Idea generation, lexical support, and increased  
confidence represented the main positive aspects identified, whereas the possibility of  
developing dependence on AI and accepting its suggestions without sufficient evaluation  
constituted the main concern. These findings provide context for the quantitative results and  
support the importance of using generative artificial intelligence tools within a teacher-guided  
pedagogical process.  
Table 6. Categories and Themes Identified in the Qualitative Analysis  
Category  
Idea generation  
Identified Theme  
Support for initiating and AI provided initial guidance for identifying and structuring  
organizing texts ideas related to the writing tasks.  
Vocabulary and formulation Students perceived the tools as useful for expanding  
of expressions vocabulary and constructing expressions in English.  
in Greater confidence during Immediate support from the tools contributed to students  
written production approaching writing tasks with greater confidence.  
Evaluation of AI-generated Students recognized the need to review and adapt the  
suggestions responses generated by the tools.  
Dependence and uncritical Concerns were identified regarding excessive use of AI or  
acceptance accepting its suggestions without sufficient reflection.  
Interpretation of the Results  
Linguistic  
support  
Confidence  
writing  
Responsible use  
Perceived risks  
Note. The categories were constructed from the thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews and open-ended  
responses considered in the study. Frequencies, percentages, or direct quotations should only be included if such  
data are available in the original participant records.  
These findings support the alternative hypothesis that the guided integration of generative  
artificial intelligence tools, specifically ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, was associated with  
measurable improvements in the academic writing performance of first-semester EFL students in  
the Tourism program. Nevertheless, because the study used a one-group pretest-posttest design  
with a relatively small sample, the findings should be interpreted as evidence of improvement  
193  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
within the study group rather than as definitive evidence of a causal effect that can be generalized  
to all EFL students.  
DISCUSSION  
The results demonstrate a considerable improvement in students’ academic writing performance  
after the eight-week intervention. The mean score increased from 10.53 (SD = 4.08) on the pretest  
to 16.73 (SD = 2.46) on the posttest, with a mean difference of 6.20 points. The paired-samples t-  
test confirmed that this difference was statistically significant, t(14) = 5.65, p < .001, and the effect  
size was large (Cohen’s d = 1.46). These figures indicate that the observed gains were not only  
statistically reliable but also substantial in practical terms (11,12).  
These findings are consistent with a growing body of research showing that generative artificial  
intelligence can support different stages of the writing process. Previous studies have reported  
that tools such as ChatGPT can provide immediate feedback, facilitate idea generation, improve  
lexical range, and help learners revise their texts more effectively (13,14). The large effect size  
obtained in the present study aligns with research suggesting that beginning-level learners, who  
often struggle with limited linguistic resources, may benefit particularly from the scaffolding that  
GAI tools can offer when used under pedagogical guidance (15,16).  
The improvement observed can also be interpreted through the theoretical frameworks that  
guided the intervention. From a sociocultural perspective, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot  
functioned as mediating tools that provided temporary support within the students’ Zone of  
Proximal Development. From a process-writing perspective, the tools assisted learners during  
planning, drafting, and revising stages. Finally, the emphasis on critical evaluation of AI  
suggestions is consistent with self-regulated learning theory, which highlights the importance of  
monitoring, reflection, and autonomous decision-making (17,18).  
Nevertheless, the results must be interpreted with caution. The study employed a pre-  
experimental one-group pretest-posttest design with a relatively small sample of 15 students  
selected through convenience sampling. Although a significant improvement was documented,  
the absence of a control group prevents strong causal claims. Other factors, such as regular  
classroom instruction, increased writing practice, or the teacher’s mediation, may have  
contributed to the gains. Therefore, while the data support the effectiveness of the GAI-  
supported intervention, they do not allow the conclusion that the artificial intelligence tools were  
the sole cause of the improvement.  
An important strength of the study lies in its mixed-methods approach. The combination of an  
analytic rubric, a perception questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews made it possible to  
examine both quantitative changes in writing performance and students’ subjective experiences.  
194  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
The five-dimension rubric (grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, organization, coherence and  
cohesion, and content development) proved useful for capturing the multifaceted nature of  
academic writing (19). At the same time, qualitative data helped to contextualize the numerical  
results and to identify both perceived benefits (idea generation, vocabulary support, increased  
confidence) and concerns (risk of over-reliance and uncritical acceptance of suggestions) (20).  
The integration of AI feedback with teacher mediation emerges as a particularly relevant  
pedagogical implication. Previous research has warned that students may accept AI-generated  
text without sufficiently evaluating its accuracy, appropriateness, or originality (21,22). In the  
present intervention, students were explicitly trained to treat ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot as  
supportive resources rather than as substitutes for their own thinking. This approach is consistent  
with current recommendations that emphasize AI literacy, critical engagement, and academic  
integrity (23, 24,25).  
The study also contributes to a still limited body of evidence from Latin American higher  
education contexts, particularly regarding A1-level students in non-language majors such as  
Tourism. Writing tasks related to tourist destinations, cultural heritage, and sustainable travel  
allowed learners to practice academic writing while engaging with content relevant to their  
professional field. This contextualization may have increased motivation and the perceived  
usefulness of the writing activities.  
In summary, the findings suggest that the guided use of generative AI tools can produce  
meaningful improvements in the academic writing performance of beginning-level EFL students.  
However, the benefits appear to depend on careful pedagogical design, teacher mediation, and  
the explicit promotion of critical and ethical use of the technology.  
CONCLUSIONS  
This study examined the effects of generative artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT and Microsoft  
Copilot) on the academic writing skills of first-semester EFL students in a Tourism program. The  
results showed a statistically significant and large improvement in overall writing performance  
after an eight-week guided intervention. Students also reported positive perceptions regarding  
idea generation, vocabulary support, and increased confidence, while recognizing the importance  
of using these tools critically.  
The findings support the view that generative AI can serve as a valuable complementary resource  
in EFL academic writing instruction when it is embedded within a structured pedagogical process  
that includes teacher guidance, critical evaluation of AI suggestions, and the promotion of learner  
autonomy. Training students to use these tools responsibly appears essential to foster  
independent writing skills, critical thinking, and academic integrity.  
195  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
Despite the encouraging results, the study has limitations related to its small sample size and pre-  
experimental design. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples, control or  
comparison groups, and longer-term follow-up measures in order to strengthen causal inferences  
and examine the sustainability of the observed gains. Further studies focusing on specific  
dimensions of writing and on the development of AI literacy among beginning-level learners in  
Latin American contexts would also enrich the existing literature.  
In conclusion, when used as a pedagogical support rather than as a replacement for the teacher  
or the student, generative artificial intelligence can contribute meaningfully to the development  
of academic writing skills in EFL higher education settings.  
REFERENCES  
1.  
2.  
Alamri B. Using generative artificial intelligence as a pedagogical tool to enhance writing  
skills in English as a foreign language. J Lang Teach Res. 2025;16(1):45-59.  
Mekheimer MA. Generative AI-assisted feedback and EFL writing: a study on proficiency,  
revision frequency, and writing quality. Discover Education. 2025;4(1):1-18.  
doi:10.1007/s44217-025-00602-7.  
3.  
4.  
Pham T, Nguyen L. The role of generative AI and hybrid feedback in improving L2 writing  
skills: a comparative study. Lang Learn Technol. 2025;29(1):75-94.  
Song C, Song Y. Enhancing academic writing skills and motivation: assessing the efficacy  
of ChatGPT in AI-assisted language learning for EFL students. Front Psychol.  
2023;14:1260843. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1260843.  
5.  
6.  
Thai S, Chantarangsu S, Khamkhien A. Integrating generative AI in EFL academic writing:  
Thai English-major students’ purposes, perceptions, and experiences with ChatGPT.  
TESOL Int J. 2024;19(2):88-107.  
Tran TTT. Enhancing EFL writing revision practices: the impact of AI- and teacher-  
generated  
feedback  
and  
their  
sequences.  
Educ  
Sci.  
2025;15(2):232.  
doi:10.3390/educsci15020232.  
Wang J, Li X. Exploring EFL secondary students’ AI-generated text editing while  
composition writing. Comput Assist Lang Learn. 2024;37(4):645-668.  
7.  
8.  
Werdiningsih I, Marzuki M, Rusdin D. Balancing AI and authenticity: EFL students’  
experiences  
with  
ChatGPT  
in  
academic  
writing.  
Cogent  
Arts  
Humanit.  
2024;11(1):2392388. doi:10.1080/23311983.2024.2392388.  
9.  
Yodkamlue B, Srisakda D. Integrating generative AI in EFL classrooms: a mixed-methods  
study on argumentative writing performance, writing enjoyment and motivation. Educ  
Inf Technol. 2024;29(8):10235-10259.  
10.  
11.  
Zhang H, Teng MF. Generative AI in university EFL writing instruction: a systematic  
literature review. Int J TESOL Stud. 2024;6(3):36-57.  
Mackey A, Gass SM. Second language research: methodology and design. 3rd ed. New  
York: Routledge; 2021.  
196  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620  
Marzo 2026  
DOI  
ISSN  
3091-180X  
Vol. 4 No.11 PP. 183-197  
12.  
Brown HD, Abeywickrama P. Language assessment: principles and classroom practices.  
3rd ed. New York: Pearson; 2019.  
13.  
14.  
Hyland K. Second language writing. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2019.  
Polit DF, Beck CT. The content validity index: are you sure you know what’s being  
reported? Critique and recommendations. Res Nurs Health. 2006;29(5):489-497.  
doi:10.1002/nur.20147.  
15.  
16.  
Yusoff MSB. ABC of content validation and content validity index calculation. Educ Med  
J. 2019;11(2):49-54. doi:10.21315/eimj2019.11.2.6.  
Dörnyei Z. Research methods in applied linguistics: quantitative, qualitative, and  
mixed methodologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2007.  
17.  
18.  
Field A. Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. 5th ed. London: Sage; 201  
McHugh ML. Interrater reliability: the kappa statistic. Biochem Med (Zagreb).  
2012;22(3):276-  
282. doi:10.11613/BM.2012.031.  
19.  
20.  
21.  
22.  
23.  
Creswell JW, Plano Clark VL. Designing and conducting mixed methods research. 3rd  
ed. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage; 2018.  
Pallant J. SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. 7th  
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2020.  
Cohen L, Manion L, Morrison K. Research methods in education. 8th ed. London:  
Routledge; 2018.  
Creswell JW, Creswell JD. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed  
methods approaches. 5th ed. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage; 2018.  
Kasneci E, Sessler K, Küchemann S, Bannert M, Dementieva D, Fischer F, et al. ChatGPT  
for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education.  
Learn Individ Differ. 2023;103:102274. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274.  
UNESCO. Guidance for generative AI in education and research. Paris: UNESCO; 2023.  
Braun V, Clarke V. Thematic analysis: a practical guide. London: Sage; 2021.  
24.  
25.  
197  
VITALYSCIENCE REVISTA CIENTÍFICA MULTIDISCIPLINARIA  
+593 97 911 9620