Research Article

Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers' Academic Speaking Skills

Volume: 15 Number: 1 July 8, 2026
EN TR

Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers' Academic Speaking Skills

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, particularly with the advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GAI), have gained prominence in language education. In this context, the main purpose of this study, designed with a mixed-methods experimental design, is to examine the effect of the Call Annie chatbot application on the academic speaking skills of pre-service English language teachers, considering the structural limitations of the EFL context. Furthermore, it aims to examine in depth how this effect occurs through qualitative data. The study's data were collected through speaking achievement tests, response papers, and semi-structured interviews, and the validity and reliability of the research were increased by triangulating the data sources. The quantitative findings of the research revealed a statistically significant difference in the midterm and final grades of the experimental group compared to the control group after a 10-week application. The qualitative findings show that pre-service teachers experienced a learning environment free from stress and anxiety, with personalised instant feedback provided by the chatbot implementation. It was concluded that Call Annie had a positive effect on oral communication skills, and pre-service teachers indicated that they would continue to utilize this tool in future speaking activities.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

N/A

Ethical Statement

Ethical Statement: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ondokuz Mayıs University Ethics Committee on 28 February 2025 (Approval Decision No: 2025-201). All participants provided informed consent prior to participation. Participation was voluntary, and all data were collected and stored confidentially in anonymized form.

Thanks

The authors thank all participants for their voluntary participation and the editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

References

  1. Aclan, E. M., & Aziz, N. H. A. (2015). Exploring parliamentary debate as a pedagogical tool to develop English communication skills in EFL/ESL classrooms. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 4(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.4n.2p.1
  2. Aliakbari, M., Barzan, P., Allahveysi, S. P., & Bakhtiarvand, M. (2025). AI-powered chatbots for English conversation practice: Impact on speaking proficiency. Technology Assisted Language Education, 3(3), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.22126/tale.2025.12621.1138
  3. Azizimajd, H. (2023). Investigating the impacts of voice-based student-chatbot interactions in the classroom on EFL learners' oral fluency and foreign language speaking anxiety. Technology Assisted Language Education, 1(2), 61–83. https://doi.org/10.22126/tale.2023.2732
  4. Berns, A., Mota Macias, J. M., Ruiz-Rube, I., & Dodero, J. M. (2018). Exploring the potential of a 360° video application for foreign language learning. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM '18) (pp. 776–780). New York, NY: Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3284179.3284309
  5. Chen, J. (2025). Application research on AI chatbots assisting non-English majors in improving oral English. Academic Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 13(2), 90–93. https://doi.org/10.54097/aayrzn06
  6. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  7. Davar, N. F., Dewan, M. A. A., & Zhang, X. (2025). AI chatbots in education: Challenges and opportunities. Information, 16(3), 235. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16030235
  8. Deng, X., & Yu, Z. (2023). A meta-analysis and systematic review of the effect of chatbot technology use in sustainable education. Sustainability, 15(4), 2940. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15042940

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Applied Linguistics and Educational Linguistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 8, 2026

Submission Date

January 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

APA
Badak, E. F., & Ersanlı, C. (2026). Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills. ELT Research Journal, 15(1), 161-187. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1865412
AMA
1.Badak EF, Ersanlı C. Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills. ELTRJ. 2026;15(1):161-187. doi:10.71362/eltrj.1865412
Chicago
Badak, Ece Firuze, and Ceylan Ersanlı. 2026. “Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills”. ELT Research Journal 15 (1): 161-87. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1865412.
EndNote
Badak EF, Ersanlı C (July 1, 2026) Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills. ELT Research Journal 15 1 161–187.
IEEE
[1]E. F. Badak and C. Ersanlı, “Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills”, ELTRJ, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 161–187, July 2026, doi: 10.71362/eltrj.1865412.
ISNAD
Badak, Ece Firuze - Ersanlı, Ceylan. “Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills”. ELT Research Journal 15/1 (July 1, 2026): 161-187. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1865412.
JAMA
1.Badak EF, Ersanlı C. Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills. ELTRJ. 2026;15:161–187.
MLA
Badak, Ece Firuze, and Ceylan Ersanlı. “Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills”. ELT Research Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 161-87, doi:10.71362/eltrj.1865412.
Vancouver
1.Ece Firuze Badak, Ceylan Ersanlı. Chatbot-Supported Implementation on Pre-Service English Language Teachers’ Academic Speaking Skills. ELTRJ. 2026 Jul. 1;15(1):161-87. doi:10.71362/eltrj.1865412