Despite ChatGPT’s widespread adoption across various sectors, its potential in English language teaching remains underexamined. This study investigates the effectiveness of ChatGPT in assisting students with IELTS exam preparation, specifically targeting the listening and reading sections. The research question that the study aims to explore is whether ChatGPT can effectively assist students in preparing for language exams and whether it can be as effective as human tutors.

A focus group interview was conducted with five students who participated in a series of AI-driven IELTS workshops. The results indicate that ChatGPT is adept at distinguishing between different question types and providing essential information about the IELTS exam structure. However, it lacks the ability to offer logical explanations on why the chosen answer is correct and personalized feedback, which are crucial for student learning motivation and deeper understanding of the exam questions. As a result, students acknowledge that ChatGPT can effectively provide a general description of the English exam, including question types, exam structure, and study tips, which are essential for newcomers. However, to improve their English proficiency and achieve higher exam scores, students rely on human tutors for comprehensive exam techniques and interactive learning experiences.

The broader implication of this study suggests that while AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly enhance resource availability and provide foundational knowledge, their integration into IELTS preparation should be complemented by human interaction. Meanwhile, although AI tools like ChatGPT have limitations and cannot fully replace human tutors, they offer valuable benefits that should be integrated into pedagogical practices. For example, ChatGPT can help teachers quickly gather essential information for their teaching content, generate diverse practice questions, provide instant feedback, and offer general learning suggestions for beginners. Educators can achieve more effective teaching and learning outcomes by recognizing AI’s strengths and incorporating them into educational strategies while valuing the irreplaceable human element. This hybrid approach leverages the strengths of both AI and human tutors to meet students’ diverse learning needs, offering a more balanced and effective educational strategy.

Keywords: English Education, ChatGPT, Innovative Pedagogy, Exam Preparation.