FROM GRAMMAR DRILLS TO DIALOGUE PARTNERS: HOW GENERATIVE AI IS TRANSFORMING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING

Abstract

This article examines the impact of generative artificial intelligence on English language learning. The study analyses leading AI tools - ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and Claude - and identifies core advantages they bring to the learning process: instant personalized feedback, round-the-clock availability, a judgement-free practice environment, contextual vocabulary development, and adaptability across all proficiency levels. The paper further explores AI's contribution to the four language skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - while acknowledging that its support is uneven across these areas. A central concern raised is the inadequacy of traditional assessment systems, which are unable to distinguish genuine language proficiency from AI-assisted performance, thereby producing credentials that may not reflect actual competence. The article concludes that the appropriate response is not to ban these tools, but to reform teaching practices and assessment design, creating a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both artificial intelligence and human instruction.