Enhancing English Speaking Skills of Vietnamese University Students Through ChatGPT-Aided Mind Maps
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1703.24Keywords:
speaking skills, ChatGPT, mind maps, action research, English-speaking performanceAbstract
Speaking skills are vital because they enable learners to express their ideas, opinions, and understanding of the material presented by the teacher. Furthermore, ChatGPT shows significant benefits to support students’ English-speaking learning. To find out the impact of using ChatGPT-aided mind maps on students’ English-speaking performance, a classroom action research study was conducted with 30 second-year English major students at a university in Vietnam during the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. The data collection tools included a pre-test, a post-test, and a questionnaire consisting of 24 Likert scale items and three open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 25.0), including descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. The result shows that (1) the ChatGPT-aided mind maps help students enhance their English performance in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, and discourse management. (2) Students have positive perceptions of using ChatGPT-aided mind maps for preparing and organizing ideas for speaking skills. This study demonstrated that ChatGPT-aided mind maps have beneficial impacts on students' English-speaking skills.
References
Abd El Fattah Torky, S. (2006). The effectiveness of a task-based instruction program in developing the English language speaking skills of secondary stage students [Doctoral dissertation]. Ain Shams University.
Afkarin, M. Y., & Asmara, C. H. (2024). Investigating the Implementation of ChatGPT in English Language Education: Effects on Student Motivation and Performance Levels. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 7(1), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.33503/journey.v7i1.865
AlAfnan, M. A., Dishari, S., Jovic, M., & Lomidze, K. (2023). ChatGPT as an educational tool: opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for communication, business writing, and composition courses, Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Technology, 3(2), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.37965/jait.2023.0184
AlMutairi, A. N. (2015). The effect of using brainstorming strategy in developing creative problem-solving skills among male students in Kuwait: A field study on Saud Al-Kharji School in Kuwait City. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(3), 136–145.
Atlas, S. (2023). ChatGPT for Higher Education and Professional Development: A Guide to Conversational AI. College of Business Faculty Publications. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cba_facpubs/548
Baskara, F. R., & Mukarto, F. X. (2023). Exploring the implications of ChatGPT for language learning in higher education. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v7i2.1387
Brown, H. D. (1994). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy. Prentice Hall Regents.
Burns, A., & Joyce, H. (1997). Focus on speaking. Sydney, Australia: National Center for English Language Teaching and Research.
Buzan, T. (2006). The mind map book. London, England: Pearson Education.
Buzan, T. (2018). Mind map mastery: The complete guide to learning and using the most powerful thinking tool in the universe. Watkins Media Limited.
Buzan, T., & Buzan, B. (1993). The mind map book. Dutton.
Bystrova, T., & Larionova, V. (2015). Use of virtual mind mapping to effectively organise the project activities of students at the university. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 214, 465–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.724
Dwina, L. (2024). ChatGPT: Empowering self-directed writing through mind mapping and AI-assisted composition. In The 14th Annual International Symposium of Foreign Language Learning (pp. 33–45). NST Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.11594/nstp.2024.3804
Fitriani, D. A., Apriliaswati, R., & Wardah. (2015). A study on students’ English-speaking problems in speaking performance. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran Untan, 4(9), 1–13.
Graddol, D. (2006). English Next: Why Global English May Mean the End of 'English as a Foreign Language'. British Council.
Hedge, T. (2000). Teaching and learning in the language classroom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hughes, R. (2002). Teaching and researching speaking. New York, NY: Pearson Education.
Jaya, H. P., Petrus, I., & Pitaloka, N. L. (2022). Speaking performance and problems faced by English major students at a university in South Sumatera. Indonesian EFL Journal, 8(1), 105-112. https://doi.org/10.25134/ieflj.v8i1.5603
Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (1988). The action research planner (3rd ed.). Geelong: Deakin University Press.
Leong, L.-M., & Ahmadi, S. M. (2017). An analysis of factors influencing learners’ English-speaking skill. International Journal of Research in English Education, 2(1), 34–41. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.ijree.2.1.34
Liu, Y., Tong, Y., & Yang, Y. (2018). The application of mind mapping into college computer programming teaching. Procedia Computer Science, 129, 66–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2018.03.047
Ngo, Cong-Lem., Ali, S., & Diki, T. (2025). A Systematic Review of the Limitations and Associated Opportunities of ChatGPT. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 41(7), 3851-3866. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2344142
Rudolph, J., Tan, S., & Tan, S. (2023). ChatGPT: Bullshit spewer or the end of traditional assessments in higher education? Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 6(1), 342–363. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.9
Tran, T. T. P., Dang, T. N., & Nguyen, V. L. P. (2025). Master students’ perceptions of how ChatGPT influenced critical thinking in academic writing at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City. International Journal of AI in Language Education, 2(2), 20–39. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijaile.25222
Ur, P. (1996). A course in language teaching: Practice and theory. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.