FACTORS ENHANCING STUDENTS' MOTIVATION FOR SELF-STUDY IN ENGLISH SPEAKING VIA SMALLTALK2ME AT HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

Abstract

In the context of integration and globalization, foreign languages proficiency, especially English, is becoming increasingly crucial. This is particularly important for students at universities, where cultivating and improving English speaking skills is a major challenge. The development of Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has provided an opportunity to improve foreign language learning methods through learning support applications such as SmallTalk2Me. This study aims to explore and quantify factors that positively influence students' learning motivation when using the SmallTalk2Me application, including instant response, convenience, and the ability to reduce bias in the review. The study results show that SmallTalk2Me is an effective support tool in self-learning English speaking skills for students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), though it still has some limitations such as AI's ability to handle pronunciation variations and the lack of direct human interaction.