Does Real-Time Feedback Improve TOEFL Speaking Performance

Discover the transformative role of AI-powered tools in enhancing TOEFL speaking preparation. In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research on real-time computer-mediated feedback (CMF) and how it acts as a personalized coach, tailoring feedback to learners’ unique needs. From explicit corrections for beginners to subtle nudges for advanced speakers, we delve into how these tools adapt to individual learning styles to build fluency, accuracy, and confidence.

Learn how simulated speaking tasks and personalized exercises, powered by platforms like SpeechRadar, create a virtual TOEFL boot camp, leveling the playing field for students worldwide. We'll also discuss the future of dynamic language testing, the balance between AI and human connection, and the ethical considerations in creating fair, inclusive AI systems.

Whether you're preparing for the TOEFL or aiming to improve your communication skills, this episode is packed with insights to help you unlock your language potential. Tune in to embrace the synergy of technology and the human element in language learning!

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Transcript

Hey, everyone. Imagine having your own personal language tutor available all the time, especially if you're getting ready for something like the TOEFL Speaking Test. Oh, yeah. Well, that's kind of becoming a reality with AI and language learning.

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Yeah. And so we are going to do a deep dive today in some really cutting-edge research on this. Yeah.

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One of the things that we're looking at is a study from a journal called Theory and Practice in Language Studies. And it's really interesting stuff. Yeah. 

It really is amazing to see how technology is addressing some of the challenges that students all over the world face with this test. Right. You know, access to native speakers, cost of tutors, and even just the anxiety of taking the test. 

AI can really play a big role in helping with all of that. So let's unpack that a little bit. How does AI help with that? What is it doing? So this research that we're talking about today focuses on something called computer-mediated feedback, or CMF. 

And it sounds very technical, but it's basically like having a really smart tutor who can give you personalized feedback on your pronunciation, your fluency, and grammar. Oh, OK. So it's like having a coach in your pocket.

(1:44 - 2:02)
Exactly. And this coach can give you specific feedback on things that you're doing right or maybe things that you need to tweak a little bit. Yeah. 

And what's really interesting is that CMF isn't just like a one-size-fits-all approach. It can really be adapted based on your individual needs and your learning style. Oh, cool.

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So, you know, some people benefit from very direct correction, like being told exactly what they did wrong. Right. And the researchers call that explicit feedback.

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Explicit feedback. But others might do better with these kind of gentle nudges that encourage them to kind of self-correct. Oh, interesting.

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And that's called implicit feedback. Implicit feedback. So it really depends on the person.

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So it's like, you know, some people need to be told directly what they're doing wrong and how to fix it. And some people kind of need to come to that conclusion on their own. And this AI can kind of sense that and adjust its approach.

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Exactly. It's like having a coach who knows when to be direct and when to maybe step back a bit. Yeah. 

Well, I love that. Yeah. This research also dives into how AI can actually pinpoint those specific areas you need to work on for the TOEFL speaking test.

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Yeah, absolutely. The study highlights how AI can look at different parts of your spoken language, like pronunciation, grammar, and even vocabulary choices. Wow.

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So, you know, like platforms that use speech radar technology, they can give incredibly detailed feedback on your pronunciation, which can be really helpful for things like mastering those difficult sounds or intonation patterns that are really important for doing well on the TOEFL speaking test. Yeah. Those are things that are really difficult to master on your own.

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You know, unless you have a native speaker that you can practice with regularly, it's really hard to know if you're doing those things correctly. Right. And what's amazing is this level of personalized feedback used to only be available through, you know, expensive human tutors.

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Right. But AI is making it accessible to learners all over the world. That's really leveling the playing field.

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It is. For anyone who wants to improve their English skills. Yeah.

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You know, whether they're getting ready for the TOEFL or just want to be able to communicate better. Exactly. And this accessibility is just one part of the impact AI is having on education in general.

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Right. This study suggests that AI could really revolutionize not just how we learn languages, but also how we test language skills. So you're saying AI could change the way tests like the TOEFL are structured in the future? It's definitely a possibility.

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Imagine a future where these big standardized tests are more personalized and dynamic. OK. You know, where they can actually assess real world communication skills.

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I like that. Not just rote memorization. So instead of being, you know, kind of this rigid test that everyone has to take the same way, it could be more adaptive.

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Yeah. And it could really assess your ability to use the language in a real world setting. Precisely. 

It could evaluate things like how well you convey meaning. Yeah. How well you can have a conversation and how you adapt your language to different situations.

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I mean, that sounds like a much more effective way to evaluate someone's language skills. It really does. Then just, you know, can you answer these multiple choice questions and can you write this essay? Exactly.

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So that's fascinating. But let's come back to the present for a second. How is AI being used right now to help students prepare for the TOEFL speaking section? So there are a lot of AI powered platforms out there with features specifically designed for TOEFL prep.

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Right. So think about things like simulated speaking tasks that are just like what you'll face on the actual exam. Oh, okay.

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So it gives you that realistic testing environment. Right. You also have interactive exercises that target your weak areas.

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Oh, cool. So you're getting that personalized practice exactly where you need it most. So it's like a virtual TOEFL boot camp.

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Exactly. And it goes beyond just practice. You get targeted feedback to help you really improve.

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Nice. So these platforms can look at your responses and give you feedback on things like your pacing, your intonation, your clarity. I see.

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So it's not just about getting a score. It's about understanding why you got that score and how you can improve. Exactly.

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It's like having that personal coach who can point out what you need to work on to do better. Okay. So then you can actually use those insights to improve your score.

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Right. And what's even more exciting is that many of these platforms are using AI to personalize that learning experience even further. Okay.

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So tell me more about that personalization aspect. What does that look like in practice? Well, imagine a platform that can actually adjust how difficult the exercises are based on how you're doing. Oh, wow.

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So it starts you off at a level that's challenging, but not too overwhelming. Okay. And then as you get better, it gradually makes things harder.

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That makes a lot of sense. Yeah. It's like having a curriculum that's adapting to you instead of the other way around.

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Exactly. It keeps you motivated and engaged in the process. And probably prevents you from getting discouraged too.

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Definitely. If it's too hard right off the bat, you might just want to give up. But if it starts you off at your level, and then gradually increases the difficulty as you improve.

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Right. It's about finding that sweet spot. Yeah.

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And it's not just about how hard the exercises are. It's also about the type of feedback you get. You know, AI can tailor the feedback to your learning style.

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Okay. Some people want every little detail. Right.

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While others find that overwhelming. Sure. And prefer just a more general overview.

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So the AI can figure out what kind of feedback you respond best to. Exactly. That's amazing.

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That's like having a custom made study plan. It really is. And I think it makes the whole learning process so much more effective.

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Yeah. For sure. And beyond just being effective, it also helps with motivation and confidence.

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You know, when you feel like the learning is tailored to you, you're more likely to stick with it and reach your goals. That makes sense. Yeah.

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All right. So this is all really fascinating. I'm starting to see how AI can really change how we approach language learning and test prep.

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But before we go too far, I want to go back to that research that we mentioned earlier. Can you tell me a little bit more about how the researchers are measuring how well these AI tools work? Yeah. So the research paper we were talking about looks at how different things affect how well computer mediated feedback works.

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Okay. So like the timing of the feedback, is it immediate or delayed? Got it. Or the source of the feedback.

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Does it come from the AI or from a person like a peer or a teacher? So they're looking at all the different variables that might impact how effective the feedback is. Exactly. And one of the interesting things they found is that combining different sources of feedback is often the most effective approach.

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Interesting. So it's not about replacing humans with AI. Okay.

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It's about using AI to enhance the human element. So it's not robots taking over the classroom. No.

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It's about giving teachers new tools. Right. To help their students learn more effectively.

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Exactly. And I think this is especially important for students in parts of the world where access to good language instruction is limited. Yeah.

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That makes sense. AI can help bridge that gap and make high quality resources available to everyone. And that brings us back to that bigger picture of AI's impact on education.

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It does. That we talked about earlier. It's about creating a more equitable learning environment.

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Absolutely. Where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Yeah.

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It's about making sure everyone has a chance to reach their full potential. And AI can play a big role in making that happen. It really can.

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And as AI keeps getting better, we're going to see even more innovative ways it's being used in education. I can't wait to see what the future holds. But before we get too carried away thinking about the future, I think it's important to acknowledge how much progress has already been made.

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I agree. AI is already making a big difference in language learning. It is.

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Making it more accessible, more personalized, and more effective than ever before. It's a pretty cool time to be a language learner. It really is.

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With all these new tools and technologies available. Absolutely. It's like the world is opening up in a whole new way.

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Yeah, I think so. For people who want to learn new languages. Definitely.

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Especially for people who are getting ready to take the TOEFL. Like all of this is really game changing. Yeah.

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I mean, think about how AI can help someone get over that fear of speaking out loud during the test. Oh yeah, for sure. Those practice platforms can simulate the pressure.

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Right. Let you get feedback privately. Yeah.

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And you build up that confidence over time. That's so important. I think, you know, test anxiety is a real thing.

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It is. And it can really affect how well you do. Absolutely.

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So having a tool that lets you practice in a safe space and build up that confidence. Yeah. I mean, that could be huge.

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Right. It's like having a dress rehearsal before the real performance. Yeah, exactly.

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Yeah. And this actually ties back to what we were talking about earlier. Okay.

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With those different types of feedback. Yeah. Like AI can be programmed to offer encouragement and support, especially when you're feeling a little discouraged.

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Right. It's not just about pointing out your mistakes. Right.

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It's about giving you positive reinforcement and helping you develop that growth mindset. Oh, I love that. It's like having a cheerleader in your corner.

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Exactly. You know, like reminding you that mistakes are okay. Yeah.

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They're part of the learning process. They are. And you know, it's to keep going.

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Yeah. So it's all about creating that positive and supportive learning environment. It really is.

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And that's important for learners at all different levels. Whether they're just starting out or they're trying to get like a perfect score on the TOEFL. Absolutely.

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And speaking of levels that research mentioned, that AI feedback can actually be more or less effective depending on how advanced of a learner you are. Oh, that's right. Can you talk a bit more about that? Sure.

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So the study suggests that if you're a beginner. Okay. You might benefit more from that explicit feedback where the AI tells you exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.

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So for example, if you mispronounce a word, the AI might show you the correct pronunciation and give you tips on how to make those sounds. So it's like having a pronunciation guide right there in the platform. Exactly.

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And then as you progress, as you get better. Okay. The AI can switch to that more implicit feedback style.

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Oh, interesting. So that might involve like highlighting a grammar mistake without actually telling you what the mistake is, which forces you to think about it and figure out how to fix it yourself. Oh, so it's like the AI is getting more hands off as you become more advanced.

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Exactly. It's sort of stepping back and letting you take the reins a bit more. Yeah.

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That makes a lot of sense. Yeah. And I can see how that would be really valuable for more advanced learners.

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Right. Who are ready to kind of take more ownership of the learning. So it's really about providing the right level of support.

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Yeah. Each stage of the learning process. It is.

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And that's how you keep people moving forward and building those skills and their confidence. I think so. Yeah.

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And you know, all of this goes beyond just improving your POFL score. Right. It's about giving learners the skills they need to actually communicate in the real world.

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Right. It's about being able to use the language. It is.

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Not just pass the test. Absolutely. So these AI powered tools can help people develop fluency, accuracy and confidence.

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Yeah. Which are so important for anything you want to do. Absolutely.

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Whether it's school or work or just everyday life. It's about connecting with the world around you. It is.

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Breaking down those language barriers. Yes. And just going after your goals.

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Absolutely. And that brings us back to the potential of AI that we were talking about before. Okay.

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It's not just about individual learners. It's about the bigger impact on education and access to knowledge. Right. 

It's about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow. Exactly. Imagine a world where everyone has access to those really advanced language learning tools.

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Yeah. You know, the kind that used to only be available to people at fancy schools or with a lot of money. Yeah. 

Like those really expensive tutors. Exactly. But with AI, they can be available to anyone with an internet connection.

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That's a powerful idea. It is. And it's really becoming more and more possible because AI is advancing so quickly.

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It is. And, you know, as this technology keeps developing, we can expect to see even more creative and impactful uses in education. Absolutely.

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So I'm so curious about what the future holds. Me too. What are you most excited about when you think about the future of AI and language learning? Oh, so many things. 

Like, I'm fascinated by the idea of AI-powered language immersion experiences. Okay. What does that mean? So imagine you put on a VR headset.

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Okay. And you're in this virtual world where you can interact with these lifelike avatars. Wow.

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You can practice speaking in real-life situations. Okay. And you're getting instant feedback on how you're doing.

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Oh, wow. That sounds incredible. It's like having a personal tutor and a travel agent all in one.

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I know, right? That's amazing. And even beyond VR, there's this potential for AI to make learning even more personalized. So imagine a platform that analyzes how you learn, what you're interested in, and what your goals are.

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Okay. And then it creates a custom curriculum just for you. Wow. 

That would be incredible. It's like having a personal AI assistant who's designing your learning plan and guiding you towards fluency in the most efficient way possible. Exactly.

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That's so cool. And these are just a few examples. The possibilities with AI and language learning are really endless, especially as the technology keeps evolving.

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It's a very exciting time to be in this field. It is. You know, speaking of exciting developments, I've been hearing a lot about using AI to create more dynamic and personalized language tests.

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Oh, yes. Can you talk a little bit about what's happening there? Of course. So like we talked about earlier, those traditional standardized tests like the TOEFL, they don't always capture real-world communication skills very well.

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Right. They're very focused on grammar and vocabulary. Yeah, exactly.

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And maybe pronunciation and isolation. Yeah, they focus on the pieces, but not necessarily how you use those pieces together. Right. 

It's not just about knowing the rules. It's about knowing how to use the language in real life. Exactly. 

And that's where AI can help. Researchers are figuring out ways to use AI to create tests that are more dynamic, more personalized, and really reflect how people actually communicate. So can you give me some examples of what that might look like? Sure. 

Imagine a test where the AI gives you a bunch of real-life scenarios, like ordering food at a restaurant or giving a presentation or having a debate. I like that. And then the AI can evaluate not just your grammar and vocabulary, but also how fluent you are, how well you get your point across, and how well you adjust your language to that specific situation.

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So it's like stepping into a simulation where you can practice using the language in different settings. Exactly. That's really cool.

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And the AI can give you feedback that's tailored to you. Yeah. It can highlight what you're good at and what you need to work on.

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It can even adjust how difficult the tasks are and what kind of tasks it gives you based on your level and your goals. It sounds like a much more interesting and useful way to test someone's language skills than just a multiple-choice test. It does have a lot of potential.

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And it can also give a much more complete picture of what a learner can really do. Yeah. It's not just about how well they know grammar and vocabulary.

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Right. It's about how well they can communicate, how well they can think critically, and how well they can use language to solve problems. And those are the skills you really need to succeed in today's world.

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Exactly. So this kind of test would be really valuable for learners and for teachers. It would.

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It would give learners better feedback and teachers better information to help them teach. It's a win-win. And this is just one way AI is being used to change how we assess languages.

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Yeah. There's so much happening right now, and the possibilities seem endless. They do.

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It's really amazing to see how AI is being used to personalize learning, make it more accessible. Yeah. And even rethink how we test language skills.

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It's all about empowering people, building connections, and making the world a little more equitable. It's about giving everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential. Exactly.

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Well said. This is all so exciting. But I think it's important to talk about some of the potential challenges and ethical considerations too.

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Right. With any new technology. Yeah.

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Um, one thing that comes to mind is how do we make sure these AI systems are fair and unbiased? That is a really important point. We have to be very careful about the data that these systems learn from. Right.

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And make sure it represents a wide range of people and accents. So we don't want to just train these AIs on, you know, like one type of English. Exactly.

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We want to make sure they can understand and respond to all sorts of different ways of speaking. Because otherwise we could end up with an AI that's biased against certain accents or dialects. Right.

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And that would defeat the whole purpose of trying to make language learning more accessible and equitable. Exactly. So it's good to know that people are thinking about these issues and working to make these systems as fair and inclusive as possible.

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Definitely. It's an ongoing process. And there's a lot of research and development happening in this area.

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Okay, good. And beyond fairness, there's also the question of how we balance AI with the human element of language learning. Oh yeah, that's a big one.

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Like AI can provide feedback and instruction, but it can't replace the nuances of human interaction. Right. There are some things that AI just can't do.

(18:52 - 19:03)
Right. Like you can't really replicate the experience of learning from an experienced teacher. Or the kind of the connection that you build with another person when you're learning a language together.

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Exactly. There's a certain magic to that human connection that AI just can't fully capture yet. So it's about finding the right balance.

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Yeah. And using AI to help teachers do their jobs better. Exactly.

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It's not about replacing teachers. It's about giving them more tools and support. So it's about collaboration.

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It is. Tradition. AI can be a really valuable partner for teachers.

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Yeah. It can help them understand how their students learn. It can help them personalize their lessons.

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And it can free up their time. Yeah. So they can focus on things that really require a human touch.

(19:38 - 19:49)
Right. Like fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. So ultimately it's about creating a learning environment where technology and human expertise work together.

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Yes. To empower learners. Absolutely.

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And help them reach their full potential. I completely agree. And you know, that brings us back to the heart of what we've been talking about today.

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What's that? The power of language to connect people, to bridge cultures, and to help us understand each other better. Yeah. Language learning is about so much more than just acquiring a skill.

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It is. It's really about opening ourselves up to new ways of thinking and experiencing the world. Beautifully said.

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And as we continue to explore all these amazing possibilities with AI and language learning, I think it's important to remember that human element. Absolutely. Technology is a tool.

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It is. And it's up to us to use it in a way that benefits humanity and helps us connect with each other. Well said.

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Well, I think that's a great place to wrap up our deep dive on AI-powered language learning. It's been a fascinating conversation. It really has.

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And I hope our listeners are as excited about the future of this field as we are. I think they are. To all of you listening out there, we encourage you to keep exploring the world of language learning.

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Yes. Whether you're studying for the TOEFL or just learning for the love of it. Embrace the challenge.

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Embrace the technology. And most importantly, embrace the power of language to connect us all. Well said.

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Thanks for joining us, everyone. And until next time, happy learning.