An AI-powered Chatbot to Help Non-English Majors Practice Pronunciation at a University in Hanoi, Vietnam, from the Perspectives of Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/paic.2692

Keywords:

AI-powered chatbot, non-English majors, pronunciation, digital competence

Abstract

Pronunciation has long been a persistent challenge for non-English majors. Although technology provides effective digital tools for practicing pronunciation, the key issue is whether learners can identify and use the most suitable tools from the outset. This study seeks to explore the design of an AI-powered chatbot to support students in practicing pronunciation, beginning with fundamental sounds. The primary research method involved consulting professional literature on AI chatbots and gathering perspectives from students and AI experts to create an effective pronunciation chatbot. The findings indicate that lecturers face considerable challenges in developing such tools due to their limited digital competence. Nevertheless, with expert collaboration, an AI pronunciation chatbot was successfully developed to help non-English majors improve their English pronunciation. The study concludes with detailed pedagogical implications for language teaching and learning.

Author Biographies

Pham Thi Thanh Thuy, Hanoi National University of Education

Dr. Thuy Pham Thi Thanh has been teaching English at Hanoi National University of Education for more than 20 years. She earned her M.A degree at the University of Languages and International Studies - Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Her Ph.D. degree focuses on linguistics in both English and Vietnamese. Her major interests are the four skills of English, vocabulary, linguistics, and methods of teaching and learning English. She has published many articles in Vietnamese and international education and linguistics journals. She has had numerous opportunities to attend various conferences, including the CamTESOL International Conference 2025 in Cambodia and the VietTESOL International Convention 2025. Her slogan is: “You cannot live the 2nd time, so live and work with love at your fullest effort!” She can be contacted at email: phamthanhthuy09@gmail.com. Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0184-1544

Chu Thi Thu Huyen, Hanoi National University of Education

Huyen, Chu Thi Thu, M.A, has been working as a lecturer of English at Hanoi National University of Education for 15 years. She earned her Master’s degree at the University of Language and International Studies, VNU. She has a great interest in the English language as well as the cultures of English-speaking countries. She is also eager to investigate ways to improve her teaching methods and apply ICT in her teaching process. Now she is teaching subjects related to British-American cultures as well as literature at HNUE. Email: thuhuyen@hnue.edu.vn . Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8451-7768

Nguyen Dieu Huong, Hanoi National University of Education

Huong Nguyen Dieu, M.A has been an English language lecturer in the Faculty of English at HNUE since 2019. Her research interests include integrating innovative skills into the EFL classroom and enhancing English language pedagogy. She is a member of the VietTESOL Masters' Group, contributing to professional development for teachers and students in Vietnam and abroad. Email: ndhuong.hnue@gmail.com . Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1063-2900

References

Bui, T. K. P., Nguyen, T. L., Nguyen, D. Q., & Hoang, T. T. (2025). Exploring pronunciation challenges encountered by first-year non-English majored students. Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 5:67-77

https://doi.org/10.71192/jst-etu.2025.15.08

Celce-Murcia, M. (2007). Rethinking the role of pronunciation in language teaching. Applied Linguistics, 28(4), 507–521. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amm049

Chen, D.L., Aaltonen, K., Lampela, H., & Kujala, J. (2024). The design and implementation of an educational chatbot with personalized adaptive learning features for project management training. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-024-09807-5

Dang, T. N. D. (2017). Suprasegmental errors, pronunciation instruction and communication. Accents Asia, 9(1), 98–120. Retrieved from https://accentsasia.org/issues/9-1/Dang.pdf

Dennis, N. K. (2022). Using AI-powered speech recognition technology to improve English pronunciation and speaking skills. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 13(9), 88–95. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1440171.pdf

Derwing, T. M., & Munro, M. J. (2015). Pronunciation fundamentals: Evidence-based perspectives for L2 teaching and research. John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amw041

Fatma, S., & Raghuvanshi, P. (2023). A review on automatic speech recognition system. International Journal for Scientific Research and Development (IJSART), 9(10), 91. Retrieved from https://ijsart.com/public/storage/paper/pdf/IJSARTV9I1072441.pdf

Fu, M., & Li, S. (2020). The effects of immediate and delayed corrective feedback on L2 development. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 44(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263120000388

Jenkins, J. (2015). Global Englishes: A resource book for students (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315761596

Jones, R., & Chen, L. (2021). Improving English pronunciation for non-English majors: A needs analysis. English Language Teaching Journal, 75(4), 512-526.

Liu, Y., Ab Rahman, F., & Mohamad Zain, F. (2025). A systematic literature review of research on automatic speech recognition in EFL pronunciation. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2466288

Kim, N. Y. (2019). A study on the use of artificial intelligence chatbots for improving English grammar skills. Journal of Digital Convergence, 17(8), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.14400/JDC.2019.17.8.45

Kearney, M., & Burden, K. (2020). Mobile learning and ubiquitous learning. In Theorising and implementing mobile learning (pp. 25–37). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8277-6_3

Nguyen, K. V. (2025). The use of generative AI tools in higher education: Ethical and pedagogical principles. Journal of Academic Ethics, 23(2), 1435–1455.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-025-09607-1

Nguyen, T. T. (2007). Difficulties for Vietnamese when pronouncing English: Final consonants. Retrieved from https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:43520214

Sameera, V., & Latha, M. (2024). Limitations of computer-aided language labs in schools and colleges. KLEF University. Retrieved from https://www.ijfans.org/uploads/paper/d48c01b37c48d0cb08e543be1785d22a.pdf

Swan, M., & Smith, B. (2001). Learner English: A teacher’s guide to interference and other problems (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511667121

Tran, D. T. (2024). Common English pronunciation problems among Vietnamese learners: A case of non-English majors. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7(9), e2024224. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024227

Tran, N. T., Pham, H.H., Nguyen, T.T. (2023). Exploring the challenges of L1 negative transfer among Vietnamese English language learners: A qualitative study. REFLections 31 (2), 837-857. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1440877.pdf

Tseng, W. T., Chen, S., Wang, S. P., Cheng, H. F., Yang, P. S., & Gao, X. A. (2022). The effects of MALL on L2 pronunciation learning: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 60(5), 1220-1252. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/07356331211058662

Wynants, S., Childers, G., De La Torre Roman, Y., Budar-Turner, D., & Vasquez, P. (2025). ETHICAL Principles AI Framework for Higher Education. California State University, Fullerton. Retrieved from https://genai.calstate.edu/communities/faculty/ethical-and-responsible-use-ai/ethical-principles-ai-framework-higher-education

Downloads

Published

2026-07-23

How to Cite

Pham, T. T. T., Chu, T. T. H., & Nguyen, D. H. (2026). An AI-powered Chatbot to Help Non-English Majors Practice Pronunciation at a University in Hanoi, Vietnam, from the Perspectives of Students . Proceedings of the AsiaCALL International Conference, 9, 27–39. https://doi.org/10.54855/paic.2692

Issue

Vol. 9 (2026): AI in Language Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions (AsiaCALL2025)

Section

Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Thuy Pham Thi Thanh, Huyen Chu Thi Thu, Huong Nguyen Dieu

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The copyright of all articles published in the Proceedings of the AsiaCALL International Conference (paic) remains with the Authors, i.e. Authors retain full ownership of their article. Permitted third-party reuse of the open access articles is defined by the applicable Creative Commons (CC) end-user license which is accepted by the Authors upon submission of their paper. All articles in the aicp are published under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license, meaning that end users can freely share an article (i.e. copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt it (i.e. remix, transform and build upon the material) on the condition that proper attribution is given (i.e. appropriate credit, a link to the applicable license and an indication if any changes were made; all in such a way that does not suggest that the licensor endorses the user or the use) and the material is only used for non-commercial purposes. 

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.