Chatbots as a Speaking Partner: Improving Student Confidence for Oral Assessments

English continues to play a vital role in the facilitation of communication within local and international context. With the growing acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI), many are now integrated into traditional classroom settings to foster engagement and innovative teaching. However, existing studies predominantly emphasize short-term engagement and satisfaction, with limited exploration of chatbots as tools for long-term assessments. Furthermore, it is noted that students are still wary of utilizing AI commutative tools as a self-study tool due to initial impression of static usage and unreliability. This study examines the potential of using a chatbot, SmallTalk2Me, as a substitute partner for students' oral practices and the resulting factors of improved confidence for oral assessments. The results show positive reaction to the introduction of the chatbot while building a drive for continuous learning outside of the classroom.