Generative AI and AI Tools in English Language Teaching and Learning: An Exploratory Research

Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot have created concerns in academia, particularly after the launch of ChatGPT. GenAI and AI have been the buzz words and academics are discussing about the possibilities of its positive and negative impacts on educations and research. Recently, studies have been conducted on the influence of GenAI tools in education and research. With the above concerns and the impact of GenAI, grounded on Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) as a theoretical lens, this study explores how English language teachers integrate GenAI tools to enhance teaching and learning. Particularly, this study explores the integration of GenAI tools in English language teaching and learning, focusing on teaching efficiency, student engagement, personalized learning, and writing skills, subscribing to exploratory research methods grounded on semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study affirmed the positive impact of GenAI tools on teaching efficiency, students’ engagement, and writing skills. The results indicated that GenAI positively influences teaching efficiency and student engagement in learning. The implications of this research highlighted the potential of GenAI tools to create a more intelligent and personalized learning environment for English language teaching that benefits both educators and learners.