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The speaky Blog

Insights on language learning, immersion techniques, and building real fluency through conversation.

203 articles15 popular topics
6 min read

Makeup Speaking Tasks for Students Who Miss Class

When students miss a speaking activity, what do you assign? Here are practical makeup tasks that keep absent learners on track without extra grading.

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203 articles
6 min read

Introducing AI Speaking Practice: A First Week Plan

A practical five-day plan for launching AI conversation practice with your language class, from setup through first independent sessions.

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6 min read

How to Follow Up on Vocabulary After Speaking Practice

Students encounter new words during conversation practice but forget them by next class. Here's a simple routine to capture and recycle that vocabulary.

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7 min read

Running Speaking Stations When You Only Have 20 Minutes

Short on time but need speaking practice for every student? Here's how to set up a quick three-station rotation that actually works in a real classroom.

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6 min read

What to Say When You Mess Up Mid-Sentence

Everyone fumbles words sometimes. Learn practical recovery phrases that keep conversations moving instead of grinding to an awkward halt.

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6 min read

When Your Mouth Forgets Words You Already Know

You know the word. You've seen it dozens of times. But when you try to say it, nothing comes out. Here's what's happening and how to fix it.

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5 min read

What to Say After Hello: Moving Past the First 10 Seconds

You know how to greet someone, but then your mind goes blank. Here's how to plan your second and third sentences so conversations actually start.

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8 min read

What the Research Says: AI Conversation Practice for Language Learning

A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that practicing conversation with AI chatbots measurably improves speaking skills, reduces anxiety, and increases the amount learners actually practice. Here's what the studies found.

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14 min read

Which AI Features Actually Improve Fluency (Transcripts, Corrections, Replay)?

Not all AI language app features are created equal. Here's what the research says about which ones—transcripts, real-time corrections, conversation replay, and more—actually move the needle on speaking fluency.

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10 min read

Hybrid Plan: When to Use AI Sessions vs Human Tutor Sessions Each Week

A practical weekly framework for combining AI conversation practice with human tutor sessions—based on what each does best at every stage of your learning.

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10 min read

Can an AI Tutor Replace italki for A2-B1 Speaking?

A direct comparison of AI conversation tutors and italki human tutors for learners at the A2-B1 level—where each excels, where each fails, and how to combine them for the fastest progress.

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10 min read

Are AI Role-Play Lessons Good Enough for Job Interview Practice?

Can practicing job interviews with an AI actually prepare you for the real thing? We look at the research on role-play, speaking anxiety, and what AI gets right—and wrong—for high-stakes conversations.

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10 min read

How to Evaluate AI Pronunciation Feedback Before Paying for Premium Plans

Not all AI pronunciation feedback is created equal. Here's how to tell whether an app's feedback will actually improve your speaking—before you hand over your credit card.

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