Integrating an AI chatbot to enhance English language speaking skills

The recent expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has prompted renewed attention to English language teaching. To explore whether AI tools may assist in enhancing speaking proficiency among university English language students in Georgia, this paper examines a pedagogical intervention that employed an AI chatbot in the classroom. The experiment involved 40 Georgian university students divided into control and experimental groups over a 12-week period. Pre- and post-tests were conducted, complemented by student interviews and instructor observations. Analysis revealed significant improvements in speaking proficiency, including grammatical accuracy, vocabulary development, pronunciation, fluency, and overall confidence. Moreover, the findings indicate that the use of the AI chatbot helped reduce speaking anxiety by providing a low-pressure environment for practice. Students in the experimental group reported increased self-confidence and motivation, attributing their progress to the consistent feedback and interactive learning experience provided by the AI chatbot. These findings suggest that, when used as classroom-based support, AI chatbots may offer valuable opportunities for additional language practice and learning.