Speaker
Description
This study explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance speaking skills among high school EFL learners. Speaking remains one of the most challenging skills for students, who often lack authentic practice opportunities and confidence in traditional settings. By integrating specific AI-powered generative platforms (e.g., ChatGPT) and speech recognition applications (e.g., ELSA Speak, Loora, BetterSpeak) into classroom practice, students were provided with immediate feedback, personalized learning experiences, and a safe, low-anxiety environment to practice oral communication. A quasi-experimental classroom study was conducted with 45 Grade 11 students over a 10-week period. To comprehensively evaluate learner progress and attitudes, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing pre- and post-speaking tests alongside student perception surveys. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, while qualitative survey responses were thematically categorized. Preliminary findings indicate that AI-supported practice significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, increases learner confidence, and fosters greater motivation to speak. The study highlights both the potential and limitations of AI integration in language education, proposing pedagogical recommendations for teachers seeking to effectively balance technology with human interaction. Ultimately, this research contributes to the strand of Technology and Second Language Learning, offering practical insights for teacher professional development in the digital era.
Keywords: AI in ELT, speaking skills, ChatGPT, ELSA Speak, high school EFL, quasi-experimental study.
Biography
BIOGRAPHIES
Tan Thanh Nguyen, M.A., is a seasoned English language educator with over 25 years of experience in the Vietnamese high school system. Based in Gia Lai, he specializes in preparing Grade 11 and 12 students for the National High School Graduation Exam and IELTS. His long-standing career is characterized by a consistent commitment to integrating modern technology with traditional pedagogical frameworks to meet the needs of 21st-century learners.
As an early adopter of AI in education, his recent research focuses on the application of generative platforms like ChatGPT and speech-recognition tools like ELSA Speak, Loora, and BetterSpeak to improve oral communication and confidence among EFL learners. Through a mixed-methods study involving Grade 11 students, he investigates how these digital tools can provide immediate feedback and significantly reduce speaking anxiety in the classroom. At VietTESOL 2026, he aims to share practical insights and pedagogical recommendations for balancing AI integration with human interaction, contributing to the advancement of teacher professional development in the digital era.
Tham Thi Hoang is an experienced English language educator based in Gia Lai, with over 20 years of teaching experience in the lower secondary school system. She specializes in instructional technology and innovative language teaching methodologies. In this research project, she took the leading role in the technological aspect, focusing on exploring, piloting, and introducing specific speech-recognition applications, including ELSA Speak, Loora, and BetterSpeak, to optimize learner outcomes. At VietTESOL 2026, she joins the primary author to share practical insights on integrating AI tools to enhance speaking skills and learner confidence in the digital era.
| Affiliate type | Vietnamese public school |
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