The Impact of Web-Based Platforms on Developing EFL Speaking Skills: A Comparison of AI-Supported Apps in Turkish EFL Context

The development of effective English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaking skills remains a significant challenge for many students. Traditional pedagogical approaches often fail to provide sufficient opportunities for authentic practice and individualized feedback, leading to limited communicative competence. As artificial intelligence (AI) advances in educational settings, web-based platforms have emerged as potential solutions to these long-standing issues. This study examines the efficacy of two AI-powered Web-based platforms, ELSA Speak and Praktika, in enhancing high school students' speaking abilities. A quantitative analysis of pre- and post-intervention assessments, supplemented by qualitative insights into student experiences, evaluates these tools' impact on overall speaking skill. The study also analyzes their impact on sub-skills including dimensions like fluency and accuracy. In addition, the study utilizes Foreign Language Enjoyment Scale (FLES) to reveal the apps’ effect on affective factors such as language anxiety and motivation. By providing empirical evidence on AI-driven language learning, this research contributes to the discourse on innovative strategies for improving EFL instruction. Keywords: EFL, Speaking Skills, Web-Based Learning, ELSA Speak, Praktika, Foreign Language Anxiety, AI-Driven Platforms, FLES, AI-based Language Learning