Students in the Gen-AI Era: Artificial Intelligence Technology Utilization Patterns Among German Language Learners

Abstract

The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has caused notable changes in the educational environment, especially in learning foreign languages. Nonetheless, there remains a scarcity of research regarding how students specifically engage with this technology. This research seeks to examine and evaluate trends in AI utilization among students in the German Language Education program. This research utilized a descriptive quantitative method, involving 126 students from the German Language Education program across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts. Data were gathered using an online questionnaire for the 2022 classes and an offline questionnaire for the 2023 and 2024 classes. The analysis of the data was performed using descriptive statistical methods. The survey findings showed that the leading AI platforms favored by German Language Education students were ChatGPT (91.3%) and Gemini AI (62.2%), with a usage rate of 3–4 days each week (41.3%). The analysis of the questionnaire revealed two primary patterns: reactive and proactive. Within the reactive pattern, there existed three types of activities, specifically vocabulary research, translation assistance, grammar and spelling correction. In the proactive pattern, there were six activity categories, which included outline drafting, problem-solving strategies, text analysis, vocabulary learning design, personalized tutoring, and conversation practice. This research indicates that students exhibit a strong dependence on AI as an educational digital tool. This usage pattern suggests a necessity for additional research into lasting cognitive effects, including the occurrence of cognitive offloading among language learners.