Talkpal as a Digital Tool to Support B1 English Speaking Skill Development

Resumen

The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in second language learning is presented as a transformative strategy for promoting communicative competence, one of the most significant challenges for students and one that teachers seek to optimize. This article aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the impact of the digital tool Talkpal, a personalized conversational platform powered by AI that offers an interactive learning experience, as a scaffolding strategy to optimize oral proficiency in B1 English learners. To achieve this objective, this research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze students’ performance before and after using the Talkpal application and to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results were obtained through various instruments, including classroom observation, initial and final survey on students’ perception of the Talkpal tool, pre- and post-intervention speaking tests assessed using a B1-level rubric, and exit tickets collected after each session. The findings, based on a sample of 22 B1-level students, suggest that the conversational tool creates a real, dynamic, adaptive, and interactive practice environment, leading to improvements in fluency and pronunciation, as well as greater student motivation and confidence in oral communication.