Can novice teachers detect AI-generated texts in EFL writing?

Abstract

The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to the wider public could have a huge impact on EFL learning and teaching. Researchers have voiced concerns that learners might lean too much on technology. Previous studies have investigated the use of AI tools in L2 writing with various populations and found that it was difficult for teachers to detect use of AI and that teachers mainly relied on linguistic strategies to detect AI-generated texts. This paper reports on a qualitative study that investigated whether novice English teachers were able to detect AI-generated writing and which strategies they used to do this. The results show that some novice teachers are quite good at detecting AI-generated texts, while others proved to have more difficulties. The teachers used both linguistic and content-related strategies to detect AI-generated writing. The results point towards the value of including this topic in teaching methodology courses in (initial) teacher training programmes.