Speaker
Description
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technology, a growing number of AI-powered applications have been developed to support English language learners in enhancing their speaking proficiency. Despite their widespread availability, the actual effectiveness of these tools remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating whether such applications genuinely contribute to the improvement of speaking skills. A four-week experimental study was conducted with 20 intermediate-level English learners, who used an AI-driven speaking app called Native. Data were collected through pre- and post-intervention speaking assessments, learner self-reflections, and teacher observations. Findings revealed significant improvements in pronunciation, fluency, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy, particularly in spontaneous speech production. Additionally, participants reported increased motivation and a greater willingness to continue practicing beyond the study period, citing enhanced confidence, perceived progress, and trust in the app's feedback. This presentation will outline the study’s design and methodology, discuss key findings, and propose practical strategies for integrating AI-based speaking tools into language instruction to foster improved learner outcomes.
Biography
My name is Vu Cam Van, and I hold a Master’s degree in TESOL from Nottingham Trent University. With over 12 years of teaching experience, I currently serve as a lecturer in the Faculty of English at Hanoi University of Business and Technology. In addition to teaching communicative English at the university level, I also conduct private IELTS preparation classes, specializing in academic English for students aiming for high band scores.
As an educator committed to innovation, I regularly integrate emerging educational technologies into my instruction to enhance student performance across all four communicative skills. This approach has proven effective, as reflected in my students’ consistent IELTS results, which typically range from 6.5 to 8.5—particularly in listening and reading.
However, given the complexity and subjectivity of speaking assessment, I have found that helping students excel in speaking remains a unique challenge. This has led to my growing interest in exploring and evaluating AI-powered applications and instructional methodologies designed to improve speaking proficiency. My current research focuses on leveraging such tools to support English language learners more effectively and to inform evidence-based pedagogical strategies in the EFL context. I aim to further my research into AI-assisted speaking instruction and contribute to the development of innovative curriculum models that effectively combine technology and pedagogy.
