ENHANCING EFL SPEAKING THROUGH AI
VOICE INTERACTION: A QUALITATIVE CASE

STUDY OF A LEARNER WITH STARGARDT

DISEASE.

MEJORA DE LA EXPRESIÓN ORAL EN EFL MEDIANTE LA
INTERACCION POR VOZ CON IA: UN ESTUDIO DE CASO
CUALITATIVO DE UN ESTUDIANTE CON ENFERMEDAD DE
STARGARDT.

Arianna Stefania Peralta Cedeño

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Eder Intriago Palacios

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí
pág. 4487
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v10i4.25451
Enhancing EFL speaking through AI voice interaction: A qualitative case

study of a learner with Stargardt disease.

Arianna Stefania Peralta Cedeño
1
peraltaariannast@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8545-9539

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Ecuador

Eder Intriago Palacios

eder.intriago@uleam.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9433-7186

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Ecuador

ABSTRACT

Artificial Intelligencediagnosed voice asistants have emerged as valuable tools for supporting English

as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learning by providing accesible, personalized, and low anxiety

opportunities for speaking practice. However, limited research
has examined their roles as assistive
technologies for learners with visual impairments. This qualitative instrumental case study explored how

Gemini’s voice assisstant supported the speaking development, confidence, and autonomy of an adult

EFL learner d
iagnosed with Stargardt disease. Data were collected through a semi-structured interviw
and analyzed usign thematic analysis. Five themes emerged:
accessibility as linguistic empowerment,
AI mediated speaking practice, autonomy and metacognitive regulation, reduced speaking anxiety, and

perceived limitations of AI
-assisted learning. The findings indicate that AI voice assistant functioned
both, as a
language learning partner and as an accessibility tool, enabling authentic oral practice while
reducing depen
dence on text-based interfaces. The participant reported grater confidence, increased
willingness to communicate, and improved autonomy through regular voice interaction. Despite

limitations, incljuding the lack of personalized process tfracking and the in
ability to replace authentic
human interacti9on, the study hoghlightd the potential of AI voicfe technology to foster inclusive

language learning and support speaking development for learners with visual impairments.

Keywords
: artificial intelligence; voice assistants; EFL speaking; Stargardt; English.
1
Autor principal
Correspondencia:
peraltaariannast@gmail.com
pág. 4488
Mejora de la expresión oral en EFL mediante la interaccion por voz con IA:
un estudio de caso cualitativo de un estudiante con enfermedad de Stargardt.

RESUMEN

La intligencia artificial ofrece nuevas posibilidades para apoyar el aprendizaje del inglés como lengua
extranjera, especialmente en la práctica de la expresión oral. Sin embargo, su potencial como herramieta
de accesibilidad para estudiantes con discapacidad visual aun ha sido poco explorado. Este esztudio de
caso cualitativo de carácter instrumental tuvo como objetivo explorar como la interaccion por voz
mediante IA puede contribuir al desarrollo de la expresión oral, al confianza y la autonomia de una
estudiante con enfermedad de Stargardt, un transtorno degenerativo de la retina que afecta
principalmente la cision central. Los datos se recopilaron mediante una entrevista semiestructurada y se
analizaron a través del análisis temático, Los hallazgos permitieron identificar cinco temas principales:
accesibilidad y empoderamiento linguistico, practica oralmediada por Inteligencia Artifial, autonomia y
autoregulación metacognitiva, reduccion de la ansiedad al hablar y limitaciones del aprendizaje asistido
por IA. Los resultados sugieren que el asistente de voz funcionó tanto como recurso de aprendizaje como
herramienta de accesibilidad, facilitando la práctica del inglés en situaciones cotidianas y reduciendo la
dependencia de interfaces basadas en texto. Asimismo, la participante reportó mayor confianza,
disposición para comunicarse y autonomía, aunque señaló limitaciones relacionadas con el seguimiento
personalizado del progreso y la interacción humana.

Palabras clave: Inteligencia Artificial; expresion oral; asistente de voz; Stargardt; inglés.

Artículo recibido 20 mayo 2026

Aceptado para publicación: 20 junio 2026
pág. 4489
INTRODUCTION

Developing speaking skills is one of the most important yet challenging goals in English as a Foreign

Language education since many learners struggle to express themselves fluently and confidently, even

after years of study. Most EFL learners experience sp
eaking anxiety which is related to the fear of
negative evaluation (Aydin, 2008), making mistakes and peer evaluation. This anxiety limits their

willingness to communicate effectively in English. In addition, learners face an extra challenge: limited

expos
ure to L2 outside of the classroom, which reduces opportunities for authentic practice and hinders
development of communicative competence. As a result of all this background issues, improving oral

proficiency and build learners’ confidence have become a c
entral common concern among EFL teachers.
In recent years, the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has opened new

possibilities for enhancing language learning experiences. Among the most popular there are ChatGPT,

Gemini, Perplexity, Stimuler and various others. Each on
e is integrated with a voice assistant feature
which has gained attention for their potential to provide interactive, personalized and low
-anxiety
speaking practice environments.

Previous research indicates that AI chatbots and its voice assistant show promise for enhancing EFL

learners’ speaking skills and confidence. For instance, Qodirqulova (2025) study reports improvements

in fluency, pronunciation accuracy, and increased lear
ner willingness to communicate after chatbot
interventions. Moreover, in the study conducted by Maysuroh et.al (2025) learners perceive chatbots as

low
-anxiety, accessible speaking partners that support motivation and autonomy. However, Belda and
Calvo (20
22) note limitations such as lack of contextual awareness in some chatbots and the need for
pedagogical scaffolding.

While existing studies have examined AI chatbots in classroom contexts, less attention has been given

to how AI voice interaction may function as an assistive tool for learners with visual impairments. For

individuals experiencing degenerative visual condi
tions such as Stargardt disease; a genetic disorder
that progressively affects central vision, voice
-based technologies may represent not only a language
learning resource but also an accessible communicative support system. In such cases, AI voice

assista
nts may reduce barriers associates with text-based interaction and create opportunities for
autonomous oral practice.
pág. 4490
Speaking is broadly recognized as one of the most challenging skills for English students to master,

especially in contexts where it is taught as a foreign language (Bygate, 2018). Learners tend to struggle

with fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, and gram
matical accuracy. (Goh & Burns, 2002). This can be
attributed to the fact that learners often face limited exposure of the target language (Huang, 2024).

Moreover, students frequently lack meaningful opportunities to use English in authentic communicative

situations, which hinders their ability to develop oral proficiency (Richards, 2008). Additionally,

psychological factors such as anxiety and low
-self- confidence can significantly affect learners’
willingness to speak during classes (Tuan & Mai, 2015). Th
is study adopts the lens of AI Chatbots with
Voice Assistants, which empowers learners towards independent learning, offering tools that caters to

individual learning paces (Huang, 2024). As several studies have demonstrated that the use of Artificial

Inte
lligence addresses the psychological barrier to speaking by offering a safe and engaging learning
environment (Busso & Sanchez 2024), reducing speaking anxiety, and creating a feeling of satisfaction

and confidence (Celik et.al 2025).

Artificial intelligence and voice assistants

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and voice technologies has significantly reshaped language

education, offering learners more interactive and personalized learning experiences. Busso and Sanchez

(2024) argue that AI tools foster communicativ
e competence by simulating authentic interactional
contexts, allowing learners to engage in real
-time dialogue. Similarly, Zhou (2023) emphasizes that AI-
driven voice assistants facilitate oral practice and constructive communication, helping learners enh
ance
fluency and spontaneity. Research by Kanoksilapatham and Takrudkaew (2025) highlights the

pedagogical importance of integrating ChatGPT to promote communication skills, noting that effective

use depends on careful instructional design. In line with th
is, Pondelíková and Luprichová (2025) found
that AI chatbots support specialized communication, particularly in academic and professional English

contexts. However, Poaquiza and Estefanía (2024) caution that while AI
-based voice chatbots can
improve pronun
ciation and interactional accuracy, they must be complemented with human feedback to
ensure authentic learning outcomes. Collectively, these studies underscore the transformative role of AI

and voice technologies in language learning. Yet, despite their pr
oven utility, limited research has
examined how adult EFL learners emotionally experience and adapt to AI
-mediated oral
pág. 4491
communication, indicating a need for more context
-specific exploration.
EFL and speaking development

Recent research confirms that AI
-based applications, particularly ChatGPT, have emerged as promising
tools to enhance EFL learners’ speaking abilities. Celik et al. (2025) report that ChatGPT functions as

an effective virtual speaking tutor, significantly
increasing learners’ self-efficacy and motivation to
speak. Similarly, Yildiz (2024) demonstrates that consistent ChatGPT use fosters greater linguistic

confidence and autonomy, especially when integrated into blended learning environments. Nuñez et al.

(2
025) also observed measurable improvement in learners’ pronunciation, fluency, and coherence when
using ChatGPT’s voice function, emphasizing its potential for individualized oral feedback.

Complementing these findings, Huang (2024) shows that AI voice pro
mpts can provide detailed, real-
time speaking feedback that teachers often cannot deliver due to time constraints. Nonetheless,

Kanoksilapatham and Takrudkaew (2025) warn that successful implementation requires structured

pedagogical frameworks to prevent
overreliance on automated responses. Collectively, these studies
illustrate AI’s growing capacity to promote speaking development in EFL contexts, yet they primarily

focus on linguistic gains rather than learners’ affective responses
particularly how AI interactions
influence speaking anxiety and confidence in authentic communication.

Speaking anxiety

Speaking anxiety remains a major obstacle in EFL classrooms, often inhibiting learners from expressing

themselves confidently. Salsabil et al. (2025) found that AI voice chat interactions with ChatGPT

transformed silent learners into more confident speaker
s by providing a low-stress environment for oral
practice. This finding aligns with Celik et al. (2025), who observed that virtual speaking sessions

increased self
- efficacy and reduced fear of negative evaluation. Likewise, Yildiz (2024) noted that
learne
rs using ChatGPT reported less anxiety and greater engagement in oral communication.
Conversely, Poaquiza and Estefanía (2024) suggested that while AI voice chatbots lower initial anxiety,

the absence of human social cues can sometimes limit emotional conn
ection and authentic interaction.
Nuñez et al. (2025) similarly indicated that although students became more fluent, some still doubted

the authenticity of AI feedback. Overall, these studies converge on the notion that AI voice tools have

the potential to
mitigate speaking anxiety; however, the emotional and psychological dimensions of
pág. 4492
learners’ interaction with AI remain underexplored. This gap underscores the need for qualitative

inquiry into how EFL learners perceive and emotionally experience AI
-assisted speaking practice.
AI voice assistant and accessibility for learners with visual impairment

AI
-driven voice technology has become increasingly significant in supporting learners with visual
impairments by improving accessibility, autonomy, and engagement with educational content. Assistive

systems that integrate natural language processing, voice
assistants, and speech-to-text/text-to-speech
features enable real
-time interaction with digital environments that traditional screen readers alone
cannot provide (Al
-Eidarous et al., 2024; SciVerse, 2025; Sustainable AI Solutions, 2025). Studies show
tha
t Pa, thereby enhancing learning participation and reducing reliance on human assistance (SciVerse,
2025; Sustainable AI Solutions, 2025). These technologies facilitate autonomous learning by converting

complex text or environmental cues into accessible au
dio formats, which not only increases access to
information but also supports learners’ confidence and independence (SciVerse, 2025). Moreover,

emerging research underscores that AI
-based assistive tools can provide personalized interaction via
adaptive sp
eech modulation and real-time feedback, which may improve academic engagement and
participation among visually impaired students (SciVerse, 2025). However, challenges such as usability

issues, contextual understanding limitations, and ethical consideration
s remain, pointing to ongoing
development needs in inclusive AI design practices (Karamolegkou et al., 2025; SciVerse, 2025). These

insights highlight the transformative yet complex role of AI voice technology in accessible education

for learners with visu
al disabilities.
This study adopts a qualitative case study design to explore how AI voice interaction supports speaking

development and confidence in an adult EFL learner diagnosed with Stargardt disease. By focusing on

a single information
-rich case, this research seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of how AI voice
technology functions as a mediational and assistive tool in real
-life language learning practices. To
address the purpose of this study, the following research questions were formulated:

RQ1:
How does the Gemini AI voice assistant support the speaking development of an adult EFL learner
with Stargardt disease?

RQ2:
How does the learner perceive the role of AI voice interaction in enhancing her speaking
confidence and autonomy?
pág. 4493
METHODS

This study adopts a qualitative instrumental case study design to explore how AI voice interaction

functions as an assistive tool for enhancing EFL speaking skills and confidence. A case study approach

is appropriate because it allows for an in depth exami
nation of a contemporary phenomenon within its
real life context. Rather than seeking generalizable findings, this design aims to generate a rich,

contextualized understanding of one information rich case.

The study focuses on a single adult learner diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a degenerative retinal

condition that affects central vision. By examining her experiences with AI voice interaction, the study

seeks to understand how voice
-based technologies mediate speaking development, autonomy, and
confidence in the context of visual impairment.

Participant

The participant is a 34
-year-old Ecuadorian adult originally from Manta, Ecuador, who is currently
residing in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. She was diagnosed with Stargardt disease at the age of 20

and currently retains approximately 50% of her vision
. Due to the progressive nature of the condition,
she relies increasingly on auditory
-based technologies in her daily life.
She is an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learner who actively uses AI voice assistants, particularly

Gemini, to practice and improve her English
-speaking skills. The participant was selected through
purposive sampling as an information
-rich case because of her sustained engagement with AI voice
interaction and her lived experience navigating language learning with a visual impairment.

To protect confidentiality, a pseudonym will be used in reporting the findings, and identifying personal

details will be omitted.

Instrument and materials

The primary data collection instrument was a semi
-structured interview protocol designed to explore the
participant’s experiences using AI voice interaction for speaking development. The semi
-structured
format allowed flexibility to probe deeper into emerg
ing themes while maintaining alignment with the
research questions.

The interview included open
-ended questions related to: (a) frequency and contexts of AI voice use, (b)
perceived impact on fluency and pronunciation, (c) emotional responses and speaking confidence, (d)
pág. 4494
the role of voice interaction in accessibility and autonomy.

The interview lasted approximately 20 minutes and was conducted in Spanish to ensure comfort and

depth of expression. With informed consent, the interview was recorded and later transcribed for

thematic analysis.

Data collection procedures

The participant was contacted through academic referral and voluntarily agreed to participate in the

study. The interview was conducted individually via WhatsApp due to geographical distance (the

participant resides in Manhattan, Kansas). The session laste
d approximately 20 minutes and was
recorded with permission.

Following the interview, the recording was transcribed verbatim. The transcript was reviewed multiple

times to ensure accuracy and to facilitate thematic coding.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval procedures were followed in accordance with institutional research guidelines. The

participant was fully informed of the voluntary nature of the study and her right to withdraw at any time

without consequences.

Confidentiality was ensured through the use of a pseudonym and the removal of identifying details.

Given the inclusion of a medical condition (Stargardt disease), special care was taken to present

information respectfully and in a non
-stigmatizing manner.
All digital files, including audio recordings and transcripts, are stored on a password
-protected device
accessible only to the researcher. The study poses minimal risk; however, the participant was informed

that she could decline to answer any question th
at caused discomfort.
FINDINGS

The analysis of the interview transcript revealed five central themes regarding the use of an AI voice

assistant (Gemini) for English learning. These themes reflect (1) accessibility, (2) AI
-mediated informal
speaking practice, (3) autonomy and metacogniti
ve regulation, (4) reduced anxiety in AI interaction,
and (5) perceived limitations of AI mediated learning.
Table 1 summarizes the thematic interpretation
derived
from the participant’s responses.
Accessibility as linguistic empowerment
pág. 4495
A salient theme emerging from the participant’s narrative is the role of the voice assistant as an

accessibility tool. The participant explicitly described Gemini as having “become my eyes,”

emphasizing its function in compensating for her visual condition
. Beyond facilitating basic tasks such
as reading and translating supermarket labels, the assistant enabled authentic, real
-world engagement
with English.

This suggests that the AI voice assistant operates as a mediational artifact that reduces physical and

linguistic barriers simultaneously. Rather than merely serving as a digital dictionary, the tool expands

the learner’s capacity to interact independently
with her environment. In this sense, accessibility
transcends accommodations and becomes a form of linguistic empowerment. The participant’s

experience highlights the inclusive potential of AI voice technologies in language education, particularly

for lea
rners with disabilities.
AI mediated speaking practice

Another prominent theme is integration of English speaking practice into daily routines. The participant

reported engaging in spontaneous conversations with the voice assistant while performing household

tasks such as cooking or washing the dishes. This pa
ttern of use reflects contextualized and informal
language practice embedded within everyday life.

Importantly, the participant does not restrict English learning to informal instructional settings. Instead,

she extends speaking practice beyond the classroom through continuous interaction with the assistant.

This suggests that AI voice tools may functio
n as accessible interlocutors, providing opportunities for
rehearsal and output production in low stakes environments.

The data further indicate that the participant actively requests corrective feedback, particularly for

pronunciation. Her explicit commands (asking the assistant to correct a paragraph after oral production)

demonstrate intentional engagement with linguist
ic form. Thus, the AI serves as a practice partner that
supports ongoing oral development.

Autonomy and metacognitive regulation

The participant’s responses strongly reflect autonomous and self
-regulated learning behaviors. She
organizes her practice daily, allocates specific time for interactions (15
-30 minutes), and aligns her AI
assisted practice with classroom content. For examp
le, she uploads images of academic materials and
pág. 4496
requests vocabulary extraction, explanations and pronunciation guidance.

Moreover, the participant shows awareness of how to strategically interact with the tool. She recognizes

that corrective feedback must be explicitly requested, indicating emerging metacognitive understanding

of how system functions. This strategic use of c
ommands suggests that autonomy is not merely
behavioral (practicing independently) but also cognitive (knowing how to optimize the tool’s responses).

However, the participant also acknowledges that AI interaction does not fully replace authentic human

communication. While the assistant strengthens her independence, she identifies real social interaction

as an irreplaceable component of language developm
ent. This demonstrates critical awareness of both
the affordances and boundaries of IA mediated learning.

Reduced anxiety

The affective dimension of learning emerges as a significant theme. The participant reported feeling

“more relaxed” when speaking with the assistant because she does not feel judged. In contrast,

interacting with native speakers may trigger nervousness or
mental blocks.
This perception suggests that AI mediated communication can function as low
-anxiety rehearsal space.
The absence of social evaluation reduces affective barriers and encourages oral production. In this case,

the assistant acts as an emotionally neutral inte
rlocutor, enabling risk taking in language use. The
participant’s experience indicates that voice
-based AI tools may contribute to lowering emotional
constrains associated with speaking practice particularly for adult learners navigating immersion

contexts
.
Perceived limitations of AI mediated learning.

Despite predominantly positive perceptions, the participant identified notable limitations. The most

significant concern involves the lack of personalized memory and progress tracking. She observed that

the assistant sometimes repeats previously learned vo
cabulary and does not maintain a consistent record
of her linguistic development.

This limitation suggests that while the assistant supports immediate feedback and accessibility, it lacks

longitudinal scaffolding. The absence of adaptive personalization restricts its ability to function as a

fully responsive tutor. Additionally, the par
ticipant noted occasional technical disruptions, though she
perceived these as common to most digital applications rather than inherent flaws.
pág. 4497
These reflections demonstrate a balanced perspective. Te participant does not idealize the technology;

instead, she situates it as a complementary tool that enhances but does not replace structure ¿d instruction

and human interaction.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this study suggests that AI voice interaction functioned as both a linguistic and assistive

mediational tool in the participant’s EFL speaking development. The results indicate improvements in

oral fluency, pronunciation awareness, confiden
ce, and autonomous practice, supporting prior research
that highlights the potential of AI mediated interaction in language learning (Qodirqulova, 2025;

Maysuroh et al., 2025). However, this case extends existing literature by demonstrating how AI voice

te
chnology may also operate as an accessibility resource for learners with visual impairments.
One of the most significant finding relates to reduced speaking anxiety and increased confidence during

AI mediated interaction. The participants described the AI voice assistant as a nonjudgmental

conversational partner, which encouraged to practice her s
peaking more frequently without the fear of
negative evaluation. This aligns with Krashen’s affective filter theory (1982), which states that

emotional variables such as anxiety, self
-doubt, and fear can inhibit language acquisition. In this case,
The AI v
oice assistant appeared to lower the participant’s affective filter by creating a safe environment
for oral expression. Unlike traditional classroom settings, where peer comparison may heighten anxiety

(Aydin,2008). AI voice interaction provided a private
and emotionally secure space for practice.
From a sociocultural perspective, the findings also suggest that AI voice interaction functioned as a

mediational tool in the learner’s development. Drawing on Vygotsky’s (1978) theory of mediation,

learning occurs through interaction with tools that scaff
old cognitive processes. The participant’s
consistent engagement with voice
-based AI supported her ability to rehearse conversations, self-correct
pronunciation, and simulate real
-life communicative situations. In this sense, the AI assistant operated
with
in her zone of proximal development by offering immediate responses and conversational
continuity, enabling gradual refinement of oral skills.

Importantly, this study contributes to discussions on accessibility in technology
-enhanced language
learning. For the participant, who retains approximately 50% of her vision due to Stargardt disease,

voice interaction reduced reliance on visual text
-based interfaces. The auditory nature of AI
pág. 4498
communication supported greater autonomy and independence, aligning with research that identifies

voice technology as a key assistive resource for individuals with visual impairments (Al
-Eidarous et al.,
2024). Thus, AI voice interaction in this case did n
ot merely enhance speaking practice; it also facilitated
equitable access to language learning opportunities.

Nevertheless, some limitations identified in the broader literature remain relevant. As noted by Belda

and Calvo (2022), AI systems may lack contextual sensitivity or nuanced feedback compared to human

instructors. While the participant valued the immediac
y of responses, AI interaction did not fully replace
authentic human communication. Therefore, AI voice technology should be viewed as a complementary

tool rather than a substitute for pedagogical guidance.
pág. 4499
Table 1.

Perceived impact of AI voice assistant on English Learning

Interview extract
Emerging theme Analytical interpretation
“Gemini has become

my eyes… it reads

labels and translates

for me.”

Accessibility as linguistic

empowerment

The assistant functions as an assistive

technology that reduces physical barriers and

enables authentic language exposure in real

life contexts.

“I practice speaking

while cooking or

washing dishes.”

AI
-mediated speaking
practice

The participant integrates English practice

into daily routines, suggesting contextualized

and spontaneous language use.

“If I want correction,

I must ask for it

explicitly.”

Intentional feedback and

metacognitive awareness

The participant demonstrates strategic use of

commands to obtain corrective feedback,

reflecting emerging metacognitive control.

“I feel more relaxed

because I am not

judged.”

Reduced anxiety in AI

interaction

The absence of social judgement lowers

affective barriers, facilitating oral production.

“It does not replace

real social

interaction.”

Limitations of AI
-mediated
learning

The participant recognizes the irreplaceable

value of human interaction in language

acquisition.

“It does not keep a

personalized record

of my progress.”

Lack of personalization
The tool lacks longitudinal memory of learner
progress, limiting adaptive scaffolding.
pág. 4500
CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative case study explored how AI voice interaction functions as an assistive tool for enhancing

EFL speaking skills and confidence in an adult learner diagnosed with Stargardt disease. The findings

demonstrate that AI voice technology provided n
ot only increased opportunities for oral practice but
also an emotionally supportive and accessible environment that fostered greater speaking confidence

and autonomy. Through consistent engagement with voice based interaction, the participant was able to

rehearse conversations, refine pronunciation, and experiment with language in a low anxiety context.

The study contributes to existing literature by highlighting the dual role of AI voice assistants as both

pedagogical and assistive tools. While previous research has emphasized the potential of AI chatbots to

improve fluency and motivation, this case illu
strates how voice interaction may also reduce accessibility
barriers for learners with visual impairments. In this context, AI voice technology supported independent

learning by minimizing reliance on visual interfaces and facilitating auditory
-based communication.
These findings align with theoretical perspectives such as Krashen’s Affective Filter Theory, as reduced

anxiety appeared to enhance willingness to communicate, and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, which

frames technological tools as mediational
resources in cognitive development.
Although limited to a single participant, this case provides meaningful insights into inclusive

applications of AI in language education. It suggests that voice
-based AI tools can complement
traditional instruction by expanding opportunities for autonomous
and confidence-building speaking
practice. Future research may explore similar cases across diverse learner profiles to further understand

the intersection between artificial intelligence, accessibility, and oral language development in EFL

contexts.

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