Poster Presentation Generative AI Use in ESP Contexts: Insights From First- Year University Students more

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools are increasingly utilized to support autonomous English language learning in higher education. However, research remains limited regarding how Gen AI use relates to student learning in the context of ESP, particularly among first- year non-English- major students transitioning from a high school environment to a university setting. The research therefore, aims to explore how first- year students use Gen AI tools to assist their ESP learning routines and their perceptions of the use of these tools in ESP class. Adopting a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire data with semi-structured interviews, the study surveyed 158 first-year students across various academic disciplines at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The results indicate that a majority of ESP students used Gen AI tools more frequently for tasks related to their assignments and exams. Furthermore, the study also highlights psychological shifts of some students feeling overwhelmed by the ubiquity of AI use compared to their high school experience. Finally, a change in teacher-student dynamics was observed, as students expressed a preference for AI assistance over seeking instructor intervention for tasks they perceived as manageable through automation.