How Self-Awareness Improves TOEFL Speaking Accuracy

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we explore the transformative power of self-awareness in mastering the TOEFL Speaking section. Dive into fascinating research that highlights how metacognitive strategies—like thinking critically about your own language use—can boost accuracy and confidence under test conditions.

Learn how one student’s seven-week journey using transcription and self-correction led to significant improvements in fluency, vocabulary, and grammar. Discover the game-changing role of AI tools like MySpeakingScore, which provides instant feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and fluency to help test-takers refine their skills and achieve their goals.

We also discuss the broader implications of AI in education, its potential to level the playing field for learners globally, and the importance of ethical considerations in its development. Whether you're preparing for the TOEFL or looking to enhance your communication skills, this episode offers valuable insights to help you succeed.

Tune in to learn how to embrace technology, sharpen your self-awareness, and unlock your full potential as a confident English speaker.

Source

Free TOEFL Speaking practice:

• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

Social:

• Follow us on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube

My Speaking Score serves 000s of users across the globe by helping them data-power their TOEFL Speaking prep.

Transcript

All right, so let's dive into something I think we can all relate to. Oh.

(0:36 - 0:55)
TOEFL Speaking Prep. Yes. You know, you're sitting there staring at a computer trying to sound fluent and amazing in English and the clock is ticking. 

It can be pretty nerve wracking. Yeah, it is. We're going to look at some research today that takes us beyond just the typical advice, you know, like practice tests and vocab lists.

(0:55 - 1:16)
Right. It's really about understanding how we actually learn to speak a new language well and how we can become more aware of our own learning process. Right. 

So it's fascinating research. Yeah. And it really does shed light on some key strategies that can help anyone improve their speaking skills, especially in high pressure situations like the TOEFL.

(1:17 - 1:27)
So to kick things off, can you give us some context on why the TOEFL Speaking section is so challenging? Sure. So I think, first of all, it's not like a regular conversation. Right.

(1:27 - 1:35)
You're not talking back and forth with a real person. You're talking to a computer. You're responding to prompts from a computer, which can feel a little artificial and intimidating.

(1:36 - 1:47)
Right. And then you have the time limits. Yes. 

The time limits. 15 seconds to prepare. 15 seconds to prepare. 

45 seconds to speak. 45 seconds to speak. Not a lot of time to overthink.

(1:47 - 1:49)
Yeah. Or second guess yourself. No.

(1:50 - 1:52)
It's almost like you're giving a monologue. It is. It's like.

(1:52 - 1:56)
You're on a stage. Spotlights on. Exactly.

(1:56 - 2:07)
No deliver. And on top of that, the TOEFL raters are looking at a bunch of different criteria, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency. So much to think about.

(2:07 - 2:11)
Yeah. It's a lot to juggle all at once. No wonder so many people find it stressful.

(2:11 - 2:22)
Right. So tell me about this research. What makes it so interesting? Well, what's really cool about this study is that it followed one student preparing for the TOEFL Speaking section for seven weeks.

(2:22 - 2:33)
It's like a really detailed case study where they were able to watch his progress and figure out what helped him improve. So they didn't just like throw a bunch of textbooks at him. No, no.

(2:33 - 2:36)
And practice tests and hope for the best. Nope. Not at all.

(2:36 - 2:44)
What do they do? They took a more strategic approach. They focused on self-awareness and targeted feedback. Okay.

(2:44 - 2:54)
So after each time he practiced speaking, he had to write down what he said and then correct his own mistakes. I see. So this made him slow down, listen to himself.

(2:54 - 2:59)
Yeah. And really pay attention to where he was messing up. That's actually a great idea.

(3:00 - 3:04)
Yeah. Because when we hear ourselves, we often just kind of gloss over our mistakes. All right.

(3:04 - 3:07)
But when you see it written down. Yeah. When you see it.

(3:07 - 3:15)
You can't ignore it. You can't ignore it. And to keep things consistent, two native English speakers also scored his responses using the official TOEFL rubrics.

(3:15 - 3:20)
Oh, okay. So this gave them a more objective way to measure his progress. So he's getting feedback from himself.

(3:21 - 3:23)
Yes. And from these expert raters. Exactly.

(3:23 - 3:31)
That's a lot of feedback. It's a lot of input, but how did they use this feedback to actually help him improve? Right. How did they use it? Well, this is where it gets really interesting.

(3:32 - 3:39)
The researcher didn't just say, hey, you made a mistake here. Right. He helped him figure out the solutions himself.

(3:39 - 3:43)
Okay. It was about having those aha moments of understanding. I see.

(3:43 - 3:51)
So it wasn't about spoon feeding him the answer. Yeah. It was about encouraging him to think critically and find his own solutions.

(3:51 - 3:54)
So it was like teaching him how to fish. Yes. Not giving him the fish.

(3:55 - 4:03)
And this approach is really tapping into the power of metacognition. Metacognition. Metacognition, thinking about your own thinking.

(4:03 - 4:08)
It sounds intimidating, but I feel like we all do that. Yeah, we all do. Without realizing it.

(4:08 - 4:18)
Absolutely. Have you ever been talking and then stopped and been like, wait, did I say that right? Yes. Did I say that right? Or is there a better way to say this? Is there a better way to say that? That's metacognition.

(4:18 - 4:28)
That's it. It's that voice in your head that questions your own thinking and helps you become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses. So this student, he was kind of training those metacognitive muscles.

(4:29 - 4:32)
Yes, he was. Right. By transcribing and self-correcting.

(4:32 - 4:35)
Yes. He was being forced to pay attention to his language. Right.

(4:35 - 4:42)
And think critically about his own errors. He had to. And the research found that was really crucial to his improvement.

(4:42 - 4:48)
It was. He was much more likely to remember and apply those corrections. Right.

(4:48 - 4:55)
This is fascinating. Yeah. It makes me wonder, are there any techniques that TOEFL test takers can use.

(4:55 - 5:02)
Oh, def a. To boost their metacognitive skills. One of the best things you can do is record yourself speaking and then listen back to it. Okay.

(5:02 - 5:08)
And analyze what you hear. That makes sense. You can also try explaining a complex topic out loud as if you were teaching it to someone.

(5:08 - 5:11)
Okay. This forces you to really think about your language. Right.

(5:11 - 5:16)
And figure out if there are any gaps in your understanding. Okay. So you're actively engaging with the information.

(5:17 - 5:20)
Yes, you are. Not just passively absorbing it. Exactly.

(5:20 - 5:31)
Okay. So this student on his TOEFL journey, did he like magically become a perfect English speaker overnight? Well, it wasn't magic, but his progress was amazing. Okay.

(5:31 - 5:40)
One of the areas where he really improved was his use of what we call linkers. Linkers. You know, those words and phrases that connect your ideas smoothly.

(5:40 - 5:44)
Oh, yeah. Like, however, therefore, on the other hand. Exactly.

(5:44 - 5:48)
Oh, yeah. I've definitely been there in the middle of speaking trying to remember. Right.

(5:49 - 5:56)
Is it however? Is it however, or? Therefore, therefore. And those little words make a huge difference. Right.

(5:56 - 6:05)
They make your speech sound more natural and fluent. And so this researcher, instead of just giving the student a list of linkers to memorize. Right.

(6:05 - 6:10)
He helped him see where those linkers were missing in his own speech. That's right. Okay.

(6:10 - 6:16)
And this led to that aha moment where the student realized. Yeah. Oh, these words can really improve my communication.

(6:16 - 6:23)
It's not just about knowing the grammar rules or having a big vocabulary. It's not just about knowing them. It's about knowing how to use them.

(6:23 - 6:29)
It's about using them strategically. Making them work for you. And that's where feedback is so important.

(6:29 - 6:32)
Right. The feedback was about empowering the student. That's right.

(6:32 - 6:35)
Not just pointing out all the mistakes. Right. It was more than that.

(6:35 - 6:39)
It was more about guiding him. Okay. To discover his own solutions.

(6:39 - 7:01)
Very interesting. But you know one thing I found interesting? What's that? While the student's vocabulary and linkers got much better, his sentence structure didn't improve as much. Oh, that's interesting. 

Why do you think that is? Grammar can be tougher to master, especially when you're under pressure, like during a timed test. Right. Vocabulary and linkers, you can kind of learn them and use them more directly.

(7:01 - 7:06)
Yeah. But grammar, you really need a deeper understanding of sentence structure. I see.

(7:06 - 7:15)
And you need to internalize those patterns. So it's like you might be able to spot a grammar mistake. Right.

(7:15 - 7:21)
If you see it written down. Right. But to actually use those complex structures correctly when you're speaking.

(7:21 - 7:39)
Yes. When you're speaking on the spot, that's a whole other level. It's a whole other level. 

Yeah. And that's why you need specific strategies to really learn those grammar rules and make them automatic. Right. 

So it's not just about recognizing correct grammar. It's about being able to use it naturally, even when you're stressed. Even when you're under pressure.

(7:40 - 7:46)
This research is really making me rethink how we learn languages. Me too. It's not just about memorizing lists.

(7:46 - 8:01)
Yeah. It's about developing that self-awareness, thinking critically about how you use language and finding the right strategies to improve. Exactly. 

And this research isn't just helpful for TOEFL prep. Right. These strategies can help anyone who wants to get better at speaking.

(8:01 - 8:04)
Yeah. For work, for travel, for anything. For anything.

(8:05 - 8:09)
So let's be real. Not everyone has access to a language coach. That's true.

(8:09 - 8:14)
Who can give them that personalized guidance. Not everyone has a coach. And this is where technology comes in.

(8:14 - 8:16)
Yes. AI specifically. AI.

(8:17 - 8:22)
It's playing a big role in making these learning strategies more accessible. It is. And it's really exciting.

(8:22 - 8:29)
Yeah. I've heard about these AI-powered tools that can actually help you prepare for the TOEFL speaking section. They can.

(8:29 - 8:33)
Like having a virtual coach right there in your pocket. That's a great way to put it. Tell me more.

(8:33 - 8:41)
Well, one of the most popular tools right now is MySpeakingScore. It's powered by SpeechRater. I've heard of SpeechRater.

(8:41 - 8:47)
Yeah. It's basically an AI-powered platform that gives you instant feedback on your speaking. Wow.

(8:47 - 8:54)
Just like those expert raters in the research. So it's like you can take a mini TOEFL test anytime you want. You can.

(8:54 - 9:05)
Without the pressure of the real exam. Without all that stress. What are some of the features that make MySpeakingScore so good? One of the things that makes it stand out is the feedback system.

(9:06 - 9:14)
OK. It looks at your speech on different levels like fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. So it doesn't just say, hey, you made a mistake.

(9:14 - 9:26)
No, it's more specific than that. It tells you how to actually improve each part of your speaking. Exactly. 

For example, it can tell you if you're speaking too fast or too slow. If you're stumbling over certain words. Right.

(9:26 - 9:33)
Or if you're using the same words over and over again. I see. You can even pick up on those tricky English sounds that you might be mispronouncing.

(9:33 - 9:39)
Oh, yeah. You know, like ship versus sheep. Oh, yeah. 

I struggled with that one for a long time. It's a classic. Yeah.

(9:39 - 9:47)
But even small pronunciation errors can affect your score. Right. And MySpeakingScore helps you catch those errors.

(9:47 - 10:10)
And then you can practice. And practice and get better and better. Yeah. 

We talked earlier about how that student in the research had trouble improving his sentence structure. Yes, he did. Can MySpeakingScore help with that too? Absolutely. 

One of the most amazing things about it is it can analyze your grammar. Wow. And even suggest ways to make your sentences more complex and sophisticated.

(10:10 - 10:15)
So it's like having a grammar expert right there with you. It is. Helping you write better sentences.

(10:15 - 10:21)
It's like having a grammar guru by your side. And it's not just about avoiding those simple mistakes. Yeah.

(10:21 - 10:27)
It's about using those higher level grammar structures. Right. The ones that will really impress those TOEFL raters.

(10:27 - 10:30)
Yeah. And there's more. It also looks at your vocabulary.

(10:31 - 10:40)
Remember how that student started using more impressive words over time? Yeah. MySpeakingScore can help you do that too. How so? It gives you feedback on your word choices.

(10:41 - 10:46)
Okay. And it can even suggest synonyms that might be more powerful. It's like having a thesaurus built right in.

(10:47 - 10:53)
It's like having a walk-in talking thesaurus. I love that. And on top of all of that, it gives you an overall assessment of your speaking.

(10:54 - 11:00)
Oh, wow. And the score it gives you matches up with the official TOEFL rubrics. So you can see how you're doing.

(11:00 - 11:04)
So you can track your progress and know where you stand. This is really revolutionary. It is.

(11:04 - 11:15)
It's like it's making high quality test prep available to everyone. Exactly. And what's really exciting is this technology has the potential to change education.

(11:15 - 11:19)
Oh, absolutely. Way beyond just TOEFL prep. Way beyond.

(11:19 - 11:25)
We're seeing technology and learning coming together. Well, coming together. Where AI can personalize the learning experience.

(11:26 - 11:28)
Right. And make it better for everyone. Make it more effective.

(11:29 - 11:32)
Yeah. More effective for everyone. For everyone, no matter who you are.

(11:32 - 11:38)
And the possibilities are really incredible. They are incredible. And it's already making a difference for so many students all over the world.

(11:38 - 11:41)
It is. Over 100,000 students are using it. Wow.

(11:42 - 11:46)
That's amazing. It's really making a difference. So we've covered a lot in this first part.

(11:46 - 11:57)
We have. From the challenges of the TOEFL speaking section to this groundbreaking research that shows us the power of self-awareness and feedback. And feedback.

(11:58 - 12:04)
And now we've learned about this amazing AI powered tool. Yes. MySpeakingScore.

(12:05 - 12:10)
MySpeakingScore. That's making those powerful learning strategies available to everyone. Everyone.

(12:10 - 12:16)
It's so exciting. It is. And in the next part, we're going to dive even deeper into AI in education.

(12:16 - 12:21)
I can't wait. And we'll explore how this technology is changing, not only test prep. Right.

(12:21 - 12:27)
But also making learning more inclusive and accessible for everyone, everywhere. That sounds fascinating. It is.

(12:27 - 12:31)
I'm really looking forward to it. Me too. We'll be right back after a short break.

(12:32 - 12:33)
We'll be back. Stay with us. Stay tuned.

(12:34 - 12:42)
Welcome back. So before the break, we were talking about how MySpeakingScore is making TOEFL prep more accessible. Yeah.

(12:42 - 12:51)
And it's really addressing a global challenge. It is. The TOEFL is so important for people who want to study or work in English-speaking countries.

(12:52 - 13:01)
Right. But for people who don't have access to native speakers or expensive tutors. The speaking section can feel impossible.

(13:02 - 13:04)
Right. It's a huge barrier for so many people. Yeah.

(13:05 - 13:11)
Think about it. Traditional TOEFL prep, like those courses and the one-on-one tutoring and those immersion programs. They're so expensive.

(13:11 - 13:17)
They are so expensive. A lot of people just can't afford that. And that's where a tool like MySpeakingScore comes in.

(13:17 - 13:20)
Exactly. It can really level the playing field. Right.

(13:20 - 13:29)
Because it gives you that instant feedback. It's like it's making that kind of support that used to be only for the privileged few available to everyone. It's democratizing access.

(13:30 - 13:34)
Yeah. And the feedback you get from MySpeakingScore isn't generic or anything. Right.

(13:34 - 13:37)
It's tailored to you. To you specifically. Yeah.

(13:37 - 13:41)
It analyzes how you speak. Okay. Figures out what you need to work on.

(13:41 - 13:49)
And then? And then it gives you advice. Okay. On how to improve your fluency, your pronunciation, your grammar, your vocabulary.

(13:49 - 13:54)
So it's like having a personal TOEFL coach. It is. Available 24-7.

(13:54 - 14:01)
24-7 right in your pocket. I love that. And that's so valuable for people who don't get to practice speaking English very often.

(14:01 - 14:06)
Absolutely. So we touched on some of the features of MySpeakingScore earlier. We did.

(14:06 - 14:15)
But can we dig a little deeper? Yeah, let's. What really makes this tool different from traditional TOEFL prep? Well, one thing is that instant feedback. Oh, yeah.

(14:15 - 14:22)
You know, in a classroom, you might have to wait days or even weeks to get feedback on your speaking. Right. But with MySpeakingScore, you get it right away.

(14:23 - 14:28)
Oh. So you can make changes and see improvement immediately. That must feel really good for learners.

(14:28 - 14:30)
It does. To be able to try something. Try it.

(14:30 - 14:36)
Get feedback and then try again right away. And really reinforce those skills. Yeah, much more effectively.

(14:36 - 14:42)
And because the feedback is so specific. Right. It helps you focus on the areas you need to work on the most.

(14:43 - 14:50)
Like maybe you overuse certain words. Yeah. Or maybe your sentences could be more grammatically complex.

(14:51 - 14:53)
Right. We talked about those linkers earlier. Yes, the linkers.

(14:53 - 15:00)
Those words that help you connect your ideas. Absolutely does. MySpeakingScore give you advice on those? It does.

(15:00 - 15:03)
It does. So it analyzes how you use them. It does.

(15:03 - 15:08)
Tells you if you're using them correctly. If you're using the same ones too much. Or if you could add more variety.

(15:09 - 15:13)
And make your speech more interesting. That's great. And what about pronunciation? Pronunciation.

(15:14 - 15:22)
I know that's a big challenge for a lot of people. It is, especially for people whose first language doesn't have some of the same sounds as English. Yeah, exactly.

(15:22 - 15:29)
Well, MySpeakingScore is really good at that too. It uses special technology to analyze how you pronounce words. Okay.

(15:30 - 15:38)
And it gives you detailed feedback on how to be clearer and more accurate. That's amazing. It's like having a pronunciation coach right there in your pocket.

(15:38 - 15:46)
Yeah. And on top of all that, MySpeakingScore also gives you an overall assessment of how well you speak. Like a score.

(15:47 - 15:51)
It gives you a score. Okay. That's based on the official TOEFL rubric.

(15:51 - 15:56)
So you know if you're on track. You know exactly where you stand. This is really a game changer for TOEFL prep.

(15:57 - 16:02)
It is. But what's even more exciting is that this technology could change education as a whole. Oh, absolutely.

(16:02 - 16:17)
It's not just about TOEFL. It goes way beyond that. We're seeing all these new AI-powered learning platforms that can personalize the learning experience, adapt to different needs, and provide support in ways we never could before.

(16:17 - 16:27)
It's incredible. It really is. It's like we're moving away from that old one-size-fits-all model of education, you know, where everyone learns the same thing in the same way.

(16:27 - 16:33)
Yeah. And now we're moving towards a future where learning is tailored to each person. Each individual.

(16:33 - 16:36)
To their strengths and weaknesses. Their strengths. Their weaknesses.

(16:36 - 16:43)
And how they learn best. And how they learn best. And this is so important when we think about global access to education.

(16:43 - 16:46)
Right. Because AI-powered tools. Yes.

(16:46 - 16:51)
Like MySpeakingScore. Like MySpeakingScore. They can help people in remote areas.

(16:52 - 16:55)
In remote areas. Or communities that don't have a lot of resources. Right.

(16:56 - 17:00)
They can get access to the same high-quality education. The same high quality. As people in big cities.

(17:00 - 17:05)
As people in big cities with all the resources. That's amazing. It is.

(17:05 - 17:13)
It's like AI is bridging the gap. Bridging the gap. Between those who have always had access to good education and those who haven't.

(17:14 - 17:20)
And those who haven't. And AI can also help with those socioeconomic disparities in education. Absolutely.

(17:20 - 17:26)
By making personalized learning tools affordable. Yeah. Or even free.

(17:26 - 17:30)
It's leveling the playing field. It is. So people from all backgrounds.

(17:30 - 17:33)
From all walks of life. Can reach their full potential. Exactly.

(17:34 - 17:39)
And this is really important. Yeah. When we think about how much the world needs skilled workers.

(17:39 - 17:45)
Yeah. Especially in fields like science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM fields.

(17:45 - 17:49)
STEM fields. Exactly. And guess what? What? AI is playing a huge role in those fields.

(17:50 - 17:53)
Oh yeah. Of course. So it's like this amazing cycle.

(17:53 - 17:55)
All right. AI is changing these fields. Yeah.

(17:55 - 18:01)
But it's also helping people get into those fields. I see. And contribute to even more advancements.

(18:01 - 18:05)
It's a beautiful thing. It is. And it brings us to another important point.

(18:05 - 18:10)
What's that? AI can make education more inclusive. Oh, tell me more about that. Okay.

(18:10 - 18:21)
So AI can be incredibly powerful in supporting learners with different needs and different learning styles. Give me an example. For example, AI powered tools can help students with disabilities.

(18:21 - 18:24)
Okay. By providing things like text to speech software. Okay.

(18:24 - 18:30)
Visual aids or adaptive assessments. So it's creating a more personalized learning environment. It is.

(18:30 - 18:38)
Where everyone can thrive no matter what challenges they face. Everyone can succeed. And AI can also help with cultural and linguistic diversity.

(18:38 - 18:44)
Absolutely. Right? Because language learning apps, like the one behind my speaking score. Exactly.

(18:44 - 18:48)
Can help people learn new languages. Yes. Break down those communication barriers.

(18:48 - 18:55)
Breaking down barriers. And really open up a world of possibilities. A world of possibilities for connection and collaboration.

(18:56 - 19:00)
This is so inspiring. It is. We've really covered a lot of ground in this conversation.

(19:01 - 19:03)
We have. From the challenges of TOEFL prep. Right.

(19:03 - 19:08)
To the big picture of AI in education. The possibility. The possibility.

(19:08 - 19:14)
To the ethical considerations. And the importance of using AI responsibly. Responsibly and ethically.

(19:14 - 19:20)
It's been a fascinating journey. It has. And AI is definitely going to change the future of learning.

(19:20 - 19:28)
It is. But we need to be thoughtful and make sure we're using it in a way that benefits everyone. For all our listeners who are getting ready for the TOEFL.

(19:28 - 19:33)
Yeah. What's one piece of advice you'd give them? I'd say embrace technology. Embrace technology.

(19:33 - 19:38)
Tools like my speaking score can really help you. Okay. They can give you the guidance, the feedback.

(19:38 - 19:41)
Yeah. And the practice you need to succeed. Great advice.

(19:41 - 19:45)
And remember, you don't have to do it alone. You don't. There are resources out there to help you.

(19:45 - 19:50)
There are. AI tools, tutors, study groups. Find what works for you.

(19:50 - 19:52)
Find what works for you. And go for it. Yeah.

(19:52 - 19:56)
The TOEFL speaking section might seem scary. It might. But you can do it.

(19:57 - 19:59)
You can. With the right approach. With the right approach.

(19:59 - 20:06)
And the right tools. And the right tools you can master it. So we've talked a lot about my speaking score.

(20:06 - 20:12)
We have. But I know there are other AI tools out there. Oh, there are so many.

(20:12 - 20:19)
What else is out there? There are these personalized learning platforms. Okay. That adjust to how each student learns.

(20:19 - 20:26)
That's amazing. And there are intelligent tutoring systems that give you help based on how you're doing. In real time.

(20:26 - 20:29)
In real time. Wow. And even virtual reality experiences.

(20:29 - 20:32)
No way. That put you in new environments. That's so cool.

(20:32 - 20:37)
And help you learn languages faster. So AI is making education more personalized. It is.

(20:38 - 20:42)
But also more fun and interactive. Way more engaging. And this is just the beginning.

(20:43 - 20:45)
Just the beginning. As AI gets better. It's going to get even more creative.

(20:45 - 20:50)
We're going to see even more amazing applications. We are. Now, before we wrap up this part.

(20:50 - 20:56)
I want to go back to something you said earlier. Okay. About AI making education more democratic.

(20:57 - 21:03)
Yes. Can you talk more about that? I'd love to. How is AI breaking down those barriers? Yeah.

(21:03 - 21:17)
And making quality education more accessible to everyone? Well, one of the biggest things is that AI can go anywhere. With online learning platforms and AI powered tools. Students in far off places or in communities that haven't had many opportunities.

(21:17 - 21:21)
Right. They can get the same great education as anyone else. It's amazing.

(21:21 - 21:25)
That's incredible. It's like AI is bridging the gap. It is.

(21:25 - 21:28)
Between those who have had access. Yeah. And those who haven't.

(21:29 - 21:32)
And those who haven't. It's pretty powerful. It's very powerful.

(21:32 - 21:40)
And it's not just about location. AI can also help with those socioeconomic differences. Yeah.

(21:40 - 21:45)
You know, making those personalized tools affordable. Affordable. Or free.

(21:45 - 21:48)
Even free. It's really leveling the playing field. It is.

(21:48 - 21:54)
So people from all backgrounds can reach their full potential. Everyone deserves a chance. They do.

(21:54 - 21:58)
And AI can help make that happen. And this is so important. It is.

(21:58 - 22:04)
When we think about the need for skilled workers. In all those important fields. Yeah, like in those STEM fields.

(22:04 - 22:09)
Exactly. In STEM fields where AI is playing a bigger and bigger role. So it's like this amazing cycle.

(22:09 - 22:16)
It's a beautiful cycle. AI is changing these fields. But it's also helping people get into those fields.

(22:16 - 22:19)
Right. And contribute to even more progress. That's fantastic.

(22:20 - 22:25)
It is. And it brings us to another important point. AI can make education more inclusive.

(22:26 - 22:35)
Oh, tell me more about that. Okay. So AI can be incredibly powerful in supporting learners with different needs and different learning styles.

(22:35 - 22:51)
Can you give me an example? For example, AI-powered tools can help students with disabilities by providing things like text-to-speech software, visual aids, or adaptive assessments. So it's really creating a more personalized. It is.

(22:51 - 22:55)
And supportive learning environment. Supportive and inclusive. Where everyone can thrive.

(22:55 - 22:58)
Everyone can thrive. No matter what. No matter what challenges they face.

(22:58 - 23:04)
That's fantastic. It is. And AI can also help with cultural and linguistic diversity.

(23:04 - 23:10)
Yes. So language learning apps like the one we talked about. Like the one behind my speaking score.

(23:10 - 23:15)
Yeah. Can help people overcome language barriers. And become fluent in new languages.

(23:15 - 23:18)
Fluent in new languages. That opens up so many doors. It does.

(23:18 - 23:23)
For communication and collaboration. And for understanding each other better. We've really covered a lot today.

(23:24 - 23:32)
From the specific challenges of the TOEFL speaking section to this bigger picture. Yes. Of how AI is changing education.

(23:32 - 23:35)
It's amazing. It really is. All the possibilities.

(23:35 - 23:41)
The possibilities, the ethical questions. And how important it is to use this technology the right way. In a responsible way.

(23:41 - 23:47)
It's been an incredible conversation. It has. And AI is going to play a huge role in the future of learning.

(23:47 - 23:49)
It is. But we need to be careful. Yes.

(23:49 - 23:54)
And make sure we use it to create a better world for everyone. More equitable world. More equitable.

(23:54 - 23:58)
More inclusive. More human centered. I love that.

(23:58 - 24:04)
Me too. So for all our listeners out there who are on their own learning journeys. I encourage you to embrace technology.

(24:05 - 24:10)
Embrace technology. Use those tools. But also remember that the most important thing is your own curiosity.

(24:11 - 24:15)
Yes. Your passion for learning. Your willingness to try new things.

(24:15 - 24:18)
To step outside your comfort zone. Yeah. And explore.

(24:18 - 24:22)
Keep those qualities alive. And you'll be amazed. And you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

(24:23 - 24:25)
You will. That's a great note to end on. It is.

(24:25 - 24:31)
Thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. For this deep dive into the world of AI and education.

(24:31 - 24:35)
It's been a pleasure. It has been a truly incredible journey. A fascinating journey.

(24:35 - 24:41)
And for all of you listening out there. Keep learning. Keep exploring.

(24:41 - 24:45)
Keep exploring. And keep those aha moments coming. Those aha moments.

(24:45 - 24:48)
We'll see you next time. See you next time. Welcome back to the Deep Dive.

(24:49 - 24:57)
So we've been talking about some really exciting stuff. We have. You know, the power of AI to really change how we learn.

(24:57 - 25:00)
Yeah. To make education more accessible. More inclusive.

(25:01 - 25:04)
It's amazing. But like with any powerful technology. Right.

(25:04 - 25:08)
There are some ethical things we need to think about. Absolutely. We need to be careful.

(25:08 - 25:17)
So what are some of the concerns that come to mind for you? Well, one of the biggest ones is bias. Bias. You know, AI algorithms, they learn from huge amounts of data.

(25:17 - 25:20)
Okay. And if that data already has bias in it. Okay.

(25:20 - 25:26)
Then the algorithms will just continue that bias. I see what you mean. So like if a language learning app.

(25:26 - 25:31)
Yeah. Was trained mostly on speakers with a certain accent. Exactly.

(25:31 - 25:36)
It might unfairly penalize learners who have different accents. Exactly. And that's a problem.

(25:36 - 25:39)
Yeah. Especially for people from marginalized communities. Right.

(25:39 - 25:47)
Or people who are learning English as a second language. So we need to make sure these AI systems are fair. We do.

(25:47 - 25:49)
Unbiased. Unbiased. And culturally sensitive.

(25:50 - 25:57)
Culturally sensitive. Absolutely. How can we make that happen? Well, we have to be really careful about the data we use to train these algorithms.

(25:58 - 26:00)
Right. We need to make sure it's diverse. Diverse.

(26:00 - 26:02)
Representative. Okay. Inclusive.

(26:02 - 26:05)
Very inclusive. But it's not just about the data. Okay.

(26:05 - 26:10)
What else? We need to involve a lot of different people in the process. Right. Not just programmers.

(26:10 - 26:15)
We need educators. Yeah. Ethicists.

(26:15 - 26:20)
Social scientists. So we need to make sure the people building these technologies. Yes.

(26:20 - 26:26)
Actually represent the people who will be using them. Exactly. And we need to keep checking these systems.

(26:26 - 26:28)
Checking them. To make sure they're not biased. Right.

(26:28 - 26:32)
Or creating unfair advantages. Or disadvantages. Yes.

(26:32 - 26:39)
For certain groups. Another concern I've heard about is AI dehumanizing education. I've heard that too.

(26:39 - 26:48)
Like if we rely too much on technology. Are we going to lose that human connection between teachers and students? Exactly. That's a valid concern.

(26:48 - 26:53)
It is. We need to be very aware of that. It's important to remember that AI is a tool.

(26:54 - 27:00)
It is a tool. And like any tool, it could be used in good ways. And in bad ways.

(27:00 - 27:05)
We need to use it to make things better. Not to replace people. Not to replace teachers with robots.

(27:05 - 27:08)
It's about giving teachers better tools. Better tools. To help their students.

(27:08 - 27:12)
To support them. To create more engaging lessons. It's about finding that balance.

(27:12 - 27:16)
Yeah. Between technology and human connection. Exactly.

(27:16 - 27:21)
And AI can actually make that human connection stronger. It can. In some ways.

(27:21 - 27:28)
Absolutely. For example, AI can help teachers personalize learning. Tailor the lessons to each student's needs.

(27:28 - 27:33)
And give more targeted feedback. More timely feedback. So instead of being a barrier.

(27:33 - 27:37)
Right. AI can help teachers and students connect better. Connect more deeply.

(27:38 - 27:41)
More meaningfully. More meaningfully. And we're already seeing this happen.

(27:42 - 27:46)
We are. In classrooms all over the world. This has been such a great conversation.

(27:46 - 27:48)
It has. We've covered so much. So much.

(27:48 - 27:54)
From the challenges of TOEFL prep. To the bigger picture of AI in education. The possibilities.

(27:54 - 27:57)
The possibilities. The challenges. The ethical questions.

(27:57 - 28:01)
Ethical questions. And how crucial it is. Yes.

(28:01 - 28:10)
To use this technology in a responsible way. In a responsible and equitable way. It's clear that AI is going to play a huge role.

(28:10 - 28:13)
A huge role. In the future of education. It's exciting.

(28:13 - 28:15)
It is exciting. Yeah. But we need to be thoughtful.

(28:16 - 28:21)
We do. And careful. To make sure we use it to create a better world for everyone.

(28:21 - 28:23)
Well said. And for all of you listening. Yeah.

(28:24 - 28:27)
Who are on your own learning journeys. Keep learning. Keep learning.

(28:27 - 28:32)
Keep exploring. Keep exploring. And never stop asking questions.

(28:32 - 28:37)
Never stop being curious. Never stop being curious. That's what learning is all about.

(28:37 - 28:41)
It is. Thank you so much for joining us for this deep dive. It's been a pleasure.

(28:42 - 28:46)
Into the world of AI and education. A fascinating journey. It's been an incredible journey.

(28:47 - 28:49)
It has. And to all of you out there. Keep learning.

(28:49 - 28:52)
Keep exploring. Keep exploring. And we'll see you next time.

(28:52 - 28:55)
We'll see you next time for another deep dive.