The effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT into Business English pedagogy to enhance tertiary students’ writing skills

Abstract

The study addresses the growing challenge of enhancing tertiary students’ Business English writing proficiency in Sri Lanka, where conventional teaching methods often fail to provide sufficient individualized feedback and engagement opportunities. With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, new opportunities have emerged for personalised, interactive, and feedback-driven writing instruction. Thus, this study investigates the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT into Business English pedagogy to enhance tertiary students’ writing skills, focusing on the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. A mixed-methods design was adopted combining quantitative data from 150 management undergraduates using structured questionnaires, with qualitative data from 10 purposively selected interviewees. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. The results indicated strong positive correlation between ChatGPT use and key aspects of Business English writing improvement; personalised feedback (r = 0.915), writing style adaptation (r = 0.887), and writing engagement (r = 0.821), all significant at p < 0.01. Regression analysis further showed that the three ChatGPT-related constructs significantly predicted students’ reported Business English Writing Skills (R² = 0.858, F = 294.336, p < 0.001), with Personalised Feedback (β = 0.713), Writing Style Adaptation (β = 0.478), and Writing Engagement (β = 0.467) making significant positive contributions. Thematic findings supported these results, highlighting enhanced grammar accuracy, vocabulary, coherence, and motivation, alongside reduced writing anxiety. However, challenges such as over-dependence, limited critical evaluation, and risks of academic misconduct were identified. The study recommends that when responsibly integrated, ChatGPT holds substantial potential to enhance Business English writing proficiency and learner engagement in Sri Lankan higher education.