Using ChatGPT Voice to Improve Speaking Skills in English Language Learners

This study examined the impact of ChatGPT Voice on improving speaking skills among Ecuadorian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. Forty-nine third-year high school students from Unidad Educativa Cascales engaged in three weeks of AI-driven speaking practice focused on health-related topics. Using a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests (assessed via Speechace), four parameters were analyzed: pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and grammar. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all areas (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes (r = 0.84–0.90). Fluency and vocabulary showed the most notable gains (Δ +2.8 and +2.7 points, respectively). The findings indicate that ChatGPT Voice reduces language anxiety by offering a non-judgmental practice environment, thereby encouraging active participation. This research underscores artificial intelligence’s potential to democratize access to authentic conversational practice in resource-limited educational contexts, positioning it as a valuable pedagogical complement for EFL instruction