From silence to speech: Enhancing student oral communication skills through AI-Chatbots

This article explores how an AI-powered chatbot (Doubao) could support the development of English oral communication skills among 14 postgraduate students enrolled in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course, in an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) context. The students initially engaged in structured interactions with Doubao to build familiarity and speaking confidence. These activities were then integrated into course assessment preparation, focusing on tutorial discussion and oral presentation skills. Data collection included results from the diagnostic and final speaking assessments, student audio reflections, focus group interviews, and teacher class notes. Findings revealed that the use of Doubao enhanced learners’ fluency, confidence, and awareness of communication strategies, while providing a space for practice and feedback. The study highlights AI’s potential as both a pedagogical aid and a collaborative language partner, demonstrating that chatbot-mediated practice can effectively complement classroom instruction and promote learner autonomy in EAP and ELICOS settings, while also acknowledging that a lack of human connection remains a barrier for some students.