Enhancing Aviation English Vocabulary Through ChatGPT-Assisted Learning: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Air Traffic Management Trainees

Abstract

The research evaluates how ChatGPT-based teaching methods help air traffic controller trainees at Politeknik Penerbangan Makassar develop their Aviation English vocabulary skills. Given the critical role of standardized Aviation English in ensuring operational safety and compliance with ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements, innovative, interactive instructional approaches are needed to overcome the limitations of conventional, textbook-based teaching methods. Employing a quantitative quasi-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design, the study involved 12 D3 Air Traffic Management students who had completed on-the-job training. The educational program employed ChatGPT to assist students in learning aviation terminology through interactive activities and pilot-air traffic controller role-play sessions, which provided immediate feedback for safe language practice. Data were collected using validated and reliable pre-test and post-test instruments and analyzed through descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test due to non-normal data distribution. The findings reveal a statistically significant improvement in students’ Aviation English vocabulary performance following the intervention (p = 0.002), with a substantial mean gain score of 46.48 points. The results of the effect size analysis show that the practical effect size is 0.88, indicating that the instructional method has a significant and strong impact. The research demonstrates that ChatGPT provides students with an effective vocabulary-learning experience through its interactive elements, which create a comfortable environment for them to practice aviation technical language in real-world scenarios. The research establishes strong experimental results that demonstrate that properly designed generative artificial intelligence systems function as useful additional resources for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) education in aviation training programs.