BGK Language Services

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  • AI CHATBOT FOR LANGUAGE PRACTICE

    Today, we are highlighting two artificial intelligence apps that are great for speaking practice. More and more apps are coming out for language learning, so it’s important to check periodically to see what’s new. These are two interesting ones that are similar to one another and can be a great way for students to gain more speaking confidence and improve listening abilities outside of the classroom.

    TalkPal AI and Gliglish AI

    Both TalkPal AI and Gliglish AI are chatbots, created to help language learners advance their speaking and listening skills. These tools are free to set up, though there are limits to how many minutes you can use them per day. Paid subscriptions are available for anyone ready to use them more often. What can you do with these tools?

    Chat back and forth with an AI tutor.
    Use personalized suggestions to jumpstart your conversations.
    Get feedback on your speaking.
    Learn from your mistakes by reading explanations and corrected sentences.
    Practice test-related topics.
    Get used to the pacing of a real conversation flowing back and forth without the pressure of someone waiting nearby. Think about what you are going to say without anyone becoming impatient.
    Adjust how fast the chatbot is speaking.
    Participate in role-play conversations about real-life situations.
    Switch between target languages, as needed, to practice multiple languages.
    TalkPal AI currently offers 57 languages. Gliglish offers 38 languages as of this writing, with 2 more coming soon. Gliglish saves your AI conversations, letting you refer back to them or even resume talking. TalkPal AI does not save conversations, but it provides additional modes of interacting with the chatbot. You can try out role plays or regular chatting with their AI chatbots. See which one works best for you!

    How Instructors Can Use These Tools

    Equip students with conversation suggestions based on their level.
    Help students brainstorm topics they want to discuss.
    Highlight any particular speaking areas the student needs to improve.
    Practice vocabulary for a certain topic in class, before assigning a conversation with an AI tutor for homework.
    Discuss student’s recent AI conversation as a warmup in class, to help them review vocabulary about the topic.

    How Students Can Use These Tools

    Commit to a regular rhythm of speaking/listening practice using AI.
    Practice topics from class to review recently studied items.
    Suggest a test-related topic to the chatbot so you can practice responding.
    Review the corrections suggested by AI.
    Use grammar and words the AI tutor says in your response, to practice their usage.

    Check the website every once in a while for updates to the languages offered. Try TalkPalAI and Gliglish to enhance your speaking and listening skills today!

    Screenshot

  • TIPS FOR ONLINE LEARNING

    We are well into month two of exclusively online learning at BGK Language Services. As time passes and we adjust to our new normal, we decided to share some tips for making the most of your online class. Learning online is a very different experience. In this article, we will be going over our tips for online language training along with some basics for spending the majority of our time online.

    The Basics
    Implement a consistent schedule and stick to it. Setting up a routine helps you feel productive and like you are getting the most out of your days at home. Along with a consistent schedule, create a dedicated study space where you can participate in online training, and study peacefully. Comfortable seating, a clean table or desk, proper lighting, and a trustworthy Wi-Fi connection will all increase your ability to stay on track and keep yourself comfortable.

    Utilize our tutorial videos for Zoom or Microsoft Teams to ensure you are comfortable with your online learning environment. Similarly, bookmark your go-to websites for language training on your browser to organize your virtual workspace.

    As best you can, try to eliminate distractions which could be difficult now with loved ones and pets at home. A dedicated workspace and communicating your routine can help to minimize interruptions during your training. Be sure to remind yourself why you started acquiring a new language and stay motivated to meet your goals.

    Now that you’ve got the basics down, read on to learn how to make the most of your online language class.

    Be Your Own Advocate
    An easy way to advocate for yourself and how you learn best is to openly communicate with your instructor. Need a break? Tell your instructor. Can’t see or hear your instructor very well? Ask them to adjust the camera and/or microphone. If you’re comfortable, ask to take remote control of their computer if they need help navigating the virtual environment. (If you don’t know how to do this, see our Zoom tutorials page for help!) We aren’t able to read body language, see visual cues, or hear each other as well through video platforms. To help alleviate some of the struggles, try being as explicit as possible with your needs.

    Did you really like an activity your instructor picked or a teaching strategy they used during class? Let them know helpful it was. Moreover if you feel you need more variety in activities let your instructor know that too. Online instruction can look different for every student and instructor, but only you know what works best for your learning style and it’s important for you to advocate for more of it.