![]() One problem for language learning bots is to encourage users not to just say one-word answers where they could have used full sentences. ![]() What problems are there in using bots for practising English? There also are a lot of conversational bots available in the English language, which are not necessarily designed for language learning, but might be useful for conversation practise. The app Andy (for iOS or Android) is an example of an app which can chat in English in a relatively free way. An example of this kind of more flexible bot would be the assistants that we sometimes use for customer service which say, for example, How can I help?, to which we can respond with a question, and it can then direct us to another bot that deals with that specific query. So you could technically say anything you want, although in reality, there is a limit on what we can say in a given context. On the other hand, some bots aim to work out what you said from your free text, and adapt to this. The app Mondly (available for iOS and Android – I tested all apps on Android) has a multiple-choice bot like this. It could then say How are you? and accept a set of possible answers to this such as I’m very well thank you or OK, and so on. For example, if the bot says Hello, it could accept a choice of Hello, Hior Hey as the answer. It is a bit like a flow chart or decision tree. A simple form of bot is a sequence of conversation lines, each with its own possible correct answer(s). Types and content of botsīots vary primarily in how flexible they are in conversations. In this article, I’ll look at the types of bots available and some situations in which bots can be used. Some apps may allow us to record speech and compare it with the bot’s recorded speech.It could offer more in-depth conversations than traditional exercises, such as long sequences of dialogue.A good app could identify learners’ weaknesses and focus on improving those areas.As with language learning apps in general, learners could track their own performance over time.Users could pause to look up a word, which is not easy in a real conversation.A bot could offer learners information on their errors, if it identifies one in the text or speech from the learner. ![]() Bots can communicate in both speech and writing.Learners often don’t have the opportunity to speak English with anyone, and chatbots are available at any time.Bots may allow learners greater confidence, since it is not as embarrassing to make a mistake in front of a bot than in front of a person.Conversation is probably the hardest aspect of mastering English, so more time is needed for this.Practising English like this is potentially very useful for learners because: One solution could be chatbots: apps (on computer or mobile phone), where the user can type in lines of text, and the app responds, mimicking the behaviour of a chat conversation with a real person (similar to a web chat). Even in countries where English isn't the local language, you will still find it enormously useful on your travels.How can we help all students in a class to improve their English conversation skills without taking up lots of the teacher’s time? English is also the most widely used language for international business.Īny trip or stay in an English-speaking country will be greatly enriched if you can speak a little of the language. In an increasingly inter-connected world, a good knowledge of English is a great advantage for many jobs. Learning to speak English will allow you to communicate with a massive number of people around the globe. With a little practice, you should soon find yourself able to get by in most everyday situations. The total number of people who can speak English, including those who speak it as a second language, is well over a billion.Įnglish is a relatively easy language to learn. It's an official language in over 50 countries around the world. Over 350 million people speak English as their first language, including 55 million in the UK and more than 200 million in the USA. Derwentwater in the English Lake District About the English language
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