A Systematic Review of Intelligent Chatbots Supporting English Speaking Instruction
Abstract
The application of intelligent chatbots in English speaking instruction has garnered increasing attention. This study conducted a literature review of relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025, ultimately incorporating 56 high-quality documents for in-depth analysis. The number of studies on intelligent chatbots in English speaking instruction has been growing rapidly, especially after 2022. The review systematically organized the research information, research methods, technical features, application scenarios, teaching effects, and challenges. The study summarized the technical characteristics of chatbots in terms of goal-oriented design, immersive experiences, and multimodal presentation, identified their primary functions and typical application scenarios in English speaking instruction, and constructed an impact analysis framework encompassing skills, emotions, and behaviour three dimensions. Additionally, it revealed challenges faced by teachers and students during chatbot using in English speaking learning, including insufficient technical support, difficulties in integrating teaching, and fluctuations in learning motivation. The study indicates that current academic focus is shifting from “tool usability” to “human-machine collaboration effectiveness.” Future research should strengthen exploration of the mechanisms underlying human-machine interaction processes and further clarify the efficacy boundaries of intelligent technologies in oral English instruction.
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