This study explores the perceptions of first-year students from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) on the use of ChatGPT as a support tool for in-class English language discussions. Understanding how students interact with artificial intelligence technologies in language learning situations is crucial as these tools become more prevalent in educational settings. A total of 160 first-year university students responded to a structured questionnaire consisting of ten statements related to their use of ChatGPT in preparing for and participating in English classroom discussions. The results show that responses were overwhelmingly positive across all items. Most students agreed that ChatGPT is easy to use, helps them prepare ideas, boosts their confidence, improves vocabulary, and encourages critical thinking. Notably, many students reported that ChatGPT supports their ability to organize thoughts and explore alternative viewpoints, contributing to more meaningful classroom participation. The respondents felt that employing ChatGPT is suitable and morally acceptable when governed by explicit academic values, despite some acknowledging the possible risk of an over-reliance on AI. The findings suggest that with proper integration, ChatGPT can enhance English discussion-based learning by promoting meaningful and confident communication.