Today I am going to explore one of the most useful ways language learners can benefit from Gen.AI.: having voice conversations. They don’t need a complex prompt for this. However, it is important to bear some factors in mind to make the most of these spoken interactions.
– Stating the language level: For lower language levels, it is advisable to remind ChatGPT to speak slowly and clearly.
– Narrowing the conversation down to a specific topic: This will create opportunities for students to incorporate newly-acquired language.
– Keeping ChatGPT’s answers short: The word count could range from 60 to 100 words, depending on the student’s language level.
– Prompting ChatGPT to always ask a question after an answer: This keeps the conversation flowing.
– Avoiding long chats to make the feedback process more manageable: For written chats, I recommend asking ChatGPT to correct possible mistakes as the chat progresses. However, for spoken interactions, it is more effective to wait for feedback until the conversation has ended. Students can then take their time to review ChatGPT’s corrections critically. If conversations are kept short, it will be easier for students to process the feedback and learn from it. Feedback shouldn’t be limited to grammar or spelling mistakes; it should also include suggestions for better word choices, as well as considerations for register and tone.
Here’s a possible prompt: I am an Intermediate-level English student practicing speaking skills. Let’s have a conversation about food. Please adapt your responses to my language level, keep them under 80 words, and speak clearly and naturally. After each answer, ask me a related question to keep the conversation going. Let’s make this engaging and interactive.
– Alright, let’s get started then! What’s your favourite food? Mine’s a proper Scouse stew, nice and warm, especially on cold days. How about you—what do you love eating?
– I love eating pasta dishes in general, rice dishes, we have this amazing dish in Spain called paella, and in general I like eating healthy food.
– Ah, paella sounds boss! I’ve heard it’s packed with flavour. Do you prefer making it yourself or going out to a restaurant for it?
– Well, unfortunately, I’m not a good cook, so I like going to restaurants, especially in the southeast part of Spain, where that’s the specialty, and also my mom’s cooks wonderful paella.
– Your mum’s paella must be proper tasty, then! What’s in it—do you go for the seafood version, or do you prefer chicken and veggies?
– Seafood version. My mom, as ingredients, she uses clams, shrimp, squid, rice, obviously. That’s about it, I think.
– Sounds lush! Fresh seafood makes it even better, doesn’t it? Do you like to have any sides or drinks with your paella, like a nice salad or a glass of wine.
– Well, paella is a meal in itself, some breads to go with it and probably some dessert, and a glass of red wine as well. Why not?
– Absolutely, bread and wine are a great shout! What dessert would you usually have after paella? Something light like flan, or maybe something chocolatey?
– Something light, definitely a yogurt maybe, or a natural yogurt, or a piece of
– A piece of fruit, maybe? That’s a nice, fresh choice after such a filling meal! Do you have a favourite fruit you always go for?
– I’m not a fan of apples for some reason, I don’t know why. I like pomegranates, that’s my favourite fruit ever.
– Pomegranates are lush! So juicy and sweet. Do you ever use them in recipes, like in salads or desserts, or just eat them on their own?
– I typically eat them on their own, but sometimes I resort to using them in salads, yeah.
– Nice one! They must add a lovely crunch to your salads. What kind of ingredients do you usually mix with them? Lettuce, nuts, or maybe cheese?
– Lettuce, nuts, and cheese, actually. Okay, ask me a final question to end the conversation.
– Alright! If you could try any new dish from another country, what would it be and why?
– I love Asian food, so I like in general all Japanese dishes or Thai dishes, so it would definitely have to be like either a Japanese or a Thai dish, but something I’ve never tried before.
– Great choice! Japanese and Thai food are full of surprises. Maybe something like sushi you’ve never had or a spicy Thai curry?
– I’ve had both, actually.
– Ah, you’re a true fan then! Maybe you’d like to try something like Thai green curry or Japanese kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal?
– Yeah, that sounds really nice, actually. Okay, well, thank you very much for the conversation.
– You’re very welcome! It was great chatting about food. Enjoy your next meal!
Right after the conversation, students can write a prompt to get feedback and learn from it. Prompt: Now I would like you to give me feedback on it and correct any grammar, vocabulary or spelling mistakes and provide better ways to say things when needed.
I will just share a sample of it here.
First Part
You said:
I love eating pasta dishes in general, rice dishes, we have this amazing dish in Spain called paella, and in general I like eating healthy food.
Suggestions:
- Combine ideas more smoothly for better fluency.
- Use “including” or “such as” for listing examples.
Improved version:
“I love eating pasta and rice dishes. We have an amazing dish in Spain called paella, and I generally enjoy eating healthy food.”
Second Part
You said:
Well, unfortunately, I’m not a good cook, so I like going to restaurants, especially in the southeast part of Spain, where that’s the specialty, and also my mom’s cooks wonderful paella.
Suggestions:
- Simplify and clarify the structure.
- Correct “my mom’s cooks” to “my mom cooks.”
Improved version:
“Well, I’m not a good cook, so I prefer going to restaurants, especially in the southeast of Spain, where paella is a specialty. My mom also cooks wonderful paella.”
Third Part
You said:
Seafood version. My mom, as ingredients, she uses clams, shrimp, squid, rice, obviously. That’s about it, I think.
Suggestions:
- Use full sentences for clarity.
- Replace “as ingredients” with “for ingredients.”
Improved version:
“I prefer the seafood version. For ingredients, my mom uses clams, shrimp, squid, and, of course, rice. That’s about it, I think.”
Fourth Part
You said:
Well, paella is a meal in itself, some breads to go with it and probably some dessert, and a glass of red wine as well. Why not?
Suggestions:
- Clarify the structure and use plural forms consistently.
- Add “a” before “glass of red wine.”
Improved version:
“Well, paella is a meal in itself. I might have some bread on the side, a dessert, and a glass of red wine too. Why not?”
I must confess, I am not entirely at ease talking to a robot. In all honesty, I prefer talking to real people. However, many students may actually find this a suitable environment to practice the language they are learning without fear of being judged or making mistakes. At any rate, they can later have an improved version of the conversation by asking ChatGPT to hold the same conversation again with the same questions. Students could review the corrected answers, take a minute or two to mentally reenact the conversation, and then try it again.
AI in ELT 