Teaching English Language

Teaching English Language

Exploring the Efficacy of ChatGPT in Enhancing Writing Skills among Iraqi Kurdish EFL Undergraduate Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Atta Ahmed 1
Hanife Bensen 2
1 English Language Teaching Department, College of Education, Tishk International University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
2 Ataturk Faculty of Education, Department of English Language Teaching, Near East University, Near East Boulevard, PK: 99138, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey/RCAL.
10.22132/tel.2025.545637.1968
Abstract
While the use of AI tools in education is increasing, limited research has examined their impact in non-Western EFL contexts, particularly within the Kurdish academic setting. The present study addresses this gap by investigating the effectiveness of ChatGPT in enhancing the academic writing skills of Iraqi Kurdish EFL undergraduate students. A mixed-methods design was employed with 46 participants, divided into a control group (n = 24) and an experimental group (n = 22), integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Over 15 weeks, the experimental group integrated ChatGPT into their academic writing instruction, while the control group received traditional instruction. Writing performance was assessed through pre- and post-tests and analyzed in SPSS (27.0) using independent and paired samples t-tests, while qualitative interview data (n = 20) were examined through reflexive thematic analysis in NVivo (15.0). Results showed no significant difference between groups at pre-test (t = –1.390, p = .178), but the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement at post-test (t = –4.846, p = .001). Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three key themes: (1) Challenges—overreliance on ChatGPT and cognitive overload; (2) Interaction with feedback and learning tools—students preferred AI-generated feedback over traditional approaches; and (3) Perspectives and attitudes toward ChatGPT—concerns about ethics, academic integrity, and growing trust in AI tools. These results suggest that ChatGPT can be an effective aid for academic writing when used with appropriate pedagogical support. The study recommends that teachers, educators, and policymakers integrate AI literacy and AI-based tools into academic writing curricula across diverse educational contexts.
Keywords
Academic writing
ChatGPT
Generative AI
Kurdish EFL students
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Teaching English Language
Volume 20, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 477-517

  • Receive Date 07 September 2025
  • Revise Date 18 June 2026
  • Accept Date 27 December 2025