From quiet to confident: A VR tool for loudness training in educational public speaking

Vocal projection is a critical but often overlooked component of spoken language competence, particularly in educational contexts such as language learning and oral assessments. This study presents a VR-based speech training tool called AppGoodSpeakers designed to support learners in developing awareness and control of vocal intensity. The tool offers real-time visual feedback on loudness, functioning as a tutoring system for oral performance. A within-subjects pre-/post-test design involving 51 participants demonstrated significant acoustic changes in vocal effort and energy variation following the VR training. These results suggest that such technology enhanced interventions can contribute to speech education and public speaking training by fostering prosodic control, an essential skill in both native and second language acquisition.