Enhancing ESL Learners' Speaking Proficiency through Adaptive ICALL Tools: A Mixed-Methods Study

Authors

  • Sehrish Iftikhar

    Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Raihana Binti Romly

    Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Shamim Akhter

    Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University Nilai, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Hamisu Hamisu Haruna

    Department of English, Al-Qalam University Katsina, Katsina 820001, Nigeria
  • Saleem Akhtar Khan

    Department of English, University of Southern Punjab, Multan 60000, Pakistan
  • Musharraf Aziz

    Schools of Languages, Civilization and Philosophy, University Utara Malaysia, Sintok 06010, Kedah, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i12.11208
Received: 22 July 2025 | Revised: 15 August 2025 | Accepted: 21 August 2025 | Published Online: 14 November 2025

Abstract

Adaptive Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) technologies are reshaping the development of speaking skills among ESL learners. The goal of the study is to investigate the impact of the ICALL adaptive system on learners' speaking proficiency. This study also depicts the learners' personal ICALL experiences. An in-depth analysis of contemporary literature is conducted to uncover the recent development and trends in ICALL for enhancing speaking skills. Concerning ICALL, the study also investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP) and intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) in improving speaking skills. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design is employed. The quasi-experimental method is used for the first part. The 110 participants are divided into two groups as control and experimental group. The three ICALL applications MyET, Duolingo and ELSA are used to improve learners' speaking skills during the intervention. The intervention is only provided to the experimental group. The second part consists of semi-structured interviews. The seven participants who participated in the intervention were selected for interviews. Quantitative data are analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data are analyzed through thematic analysis following Grbich's approach. Findings reveal that ICALL tools contributed to notable gains in speaking accuracy and fluency after consistent use. ESL learners also reported increased confidence and expressed favorable perceptions regarding the ICALL tools' ease of use, instant feedback features and autonomous learning. Based on the posttest, which shows an 86.56% average improvement in speaking proficiency scores, it is strongly recommended that the ICALL tools be adopted as core approach to support speaking skills development.

Keywords:

AI Speaking Tools; ICALL Tools; Natural Language Processing (NLP); Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS); Speaking Proficiency; Learning Opportunities

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How to Cite

Iftikhar, S., Binti Romly, R., Akhter, S., Hamisu Haruna, H., Akhtar Khan, S., & Aziz, M. (2025). Enhancing ESL Learners’ Speaking Proficiency through Adaptive ICALL Tools: A Mixed-Methods Study. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(12), 1117–1131. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i12.11208

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 12 (December 2025): In progress

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Copyright © 2025 Sehrish Iftikhar, Raihana Binti Romly, Shamim Akhter, Hamisu Hamisu Haruna, Saleem Akhtar Khan, Musharraf Aziz

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