Beyond Conversation Practice: Investigating the Effects of Generative AI-Powered Voice Tools on EFL Learners' Speaking Fluency, Accuracy, and Willingness to Communicate
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60087/ijls.vol3.n2.007Keywords:
generative AI, speaking fluency, accuracy, voice tools, ChatGPTAbstract
This study investigated the effects of the use of generative AI-driven voice tools on the fluency, accuracy, and willingness to communicate of EFL learners. Following a post-positivist paradigm and using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, 30 EFL learners in their second or third year at Jinka University were included in a 12-week intervention program. While the experimental group had AI-driven speaking practice using ChatGPT with voice capabilities, the control group engaged in conventional peer-conversation activities. Statistical analyses showed that there were significant gains in the areas of speaking fluency, accuracy, and WTC for the experimental group compared to those for the control group. Moreover, qualitative findings suggest that speaking anxiety was decreased, increased confidence in communication was observed, and learners appreciated the low-stress practice experience.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Zewudu Paulos Mada (Author)
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Copyright: © The Author(s), 2026. Published by IJLS. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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