Speaker
Description
Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools are increasingly used to support EFL writing, yet little is known about students’ acceptance of specific platforms like DeepSeek. This study, based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), explores how international students perceive and use DeepSeek in academic writing tasks. Using a mixed-methods design, the study surveyed 200 students and conducted four semi-structured interviews at a public university in Vietnam.
Findings show a moderate level of acceptance, especially for tasks such as brainstorming, outlining, and revising. Key factors influencing adoption include performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation. Meanwhile, social influence, price value, and habit were identified as barriers. Qualitative data enrich these insights, revealing both enthusiasm and skepticism about AI assistance in writing.
The study contributes to growing research on AI in language education by providing empirical evidence of DeepSeek’s potential in EFL contexts. It offers practical implications for educators and developers seeking to enhance learner engagement and overcome obstacles to AI integration in writing instruction.
Biography
- Doan Hoang Mai is a lecturer in English at Hanoi University, in the English for Specific Purposes Department (ESPD), where she has been teaching since 2000. Her academic interests focus on linguistics, English language teaching methodologies, and the use of information technology in language education.
Over the past two decades, Ms. Mai has taught a wide range of English courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has supervised student research projects and contributed to curriculum design, with an emphasis on learner-centered and technology-supported approaches. Her recent work explores how digital tools, learning management systems (LMS), and AI applications can enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes in the EFL classroom.
She regularly participates in professional conferences and is an active member of academic communities in the field of language education. Dedicated to continuous improvement, Ms. Mai is passionate about helping students become more independent and confident learners through innovative teaching strategies.
- Trinh Thi Dao is a lecturer in English at Hanoi University, where she has been teaching since 2023. Currently, she teaches English as a Foreign Language in the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies, working with international students from Japan, China, Korea, Laos, and other countries. Her academic interests include linguistics, English language teaching methodologies, and the integration of information technology in language education. Passionate about innovative teaching, she is committed to creating engaging, student-centered learning environments and helping learners become more confident and independent in their language journey.
