Abstract:
This research assesses the efficacy of the ELSA (English Language Speech
Assistant) tool, an AI-powered mobile application designed to enhance English
pronunciation through personalized, real-time feedback. ELSA assists learners by
analyzing their speech and providing corrections, focusing on common challenges
such as stress, intonation, and articulation that EFL (English as a Foreign
Language) learners often encounter. The primary objective of this study is to
determine the effectiveness of the ELSA tool in improving pronunciation skills
among vocational high school students. The research was conducted at SMK
Gema Buwana, involving 30 students from the vocational high school level. A
qualitative and quantitative research method was employed, utilizing
pronunciation tests as the main instrument. The process commenced with a pre
test to establish students' baseline pronunciation abilities. After using the ELSA
tool for 4 weeks, a post-test was administered to evaluate improvements in
pronunciation.The students’ scores from the pre-test and post-test were compared
to assess the efficacy of the ELSA tool. Additionally, expert linguistic validation
was conducted on the recordings to ensure accuracy and consistency of findings.
Results indicated that the ELSA tool significantly improved students'
pronunciation, particularly in stress and intonation, while also boosting their
confidence and motivation in using English. This research highlights the potential
of AI-driven tools like ELSA to enhance pronunciation learning for EFL students
in vocational high school settings
