Digital Language Tutor: Enhancing language learning through AI-powered conversation partners

Mateusz Jekiel
A business woman on her phone smiling, sat in a office with a laptop on her lap
Reading time: 3.5 minutes

With an ever-growing range of learning tools and applications being launched, choosing the right solution can feel overwhelming. However, the Digital Language Tutor for Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp distinguishes itself as an innovative solution aimed at helping corporate clients enhance their listening and speaking abilities in relevant business contexts.

The Digital Language Tutor is targeted at professionals who speak at least a B1 level of English (43-50 on the Global Scale of English). It employs AI-powered Conversation Partners to simulate corporate scenarios, providing users with an immersive and interactive learning experience.

In this post we outline the strategic design process behind these Conversation Partners, highlighting the importance of diverse representation, compelling and authentic personality trait development, and integrating level-appropriate language skills alongside essential corporate soft skills to create a comprehensive language learning solution.

Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp - Digital language tutor
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

The need to speak in language learning

Mastering listening and speaking skills is paramount for professionals, as fluency and confidence in spoken English can significantly impact career progression, networking opportunities, and overall workplace effectiveness.

According to ÃÛÌÒapp research, 85% of respondents said English is important for their work life, and 88% believe its importance will continue to grow in the next years1.

Traditional language learning methods often fall short in providing real-life conversational practice, especially in specialized contexts like corporate settings. The Digital Language Tutor bridges this gap by offering personalized, scenario-based interactions with AI-powered Conversation Partners.

1ÃÛÌÒapp, 2024,ÌýHow English empowers your tomorrow: The life-changing impact of learning English on your career and beyond.

Designing conversation partners for the Digital Language Tutor

The primary objectives in crafting the Conversation Partners were to:

  • Create an authentic and immersive learning environment that reflects modern workplaces,
  • Represent a diverse range of characters to reflect the global nature of modern working environments, foster inclusivity and cultural awareness,
  • Develop compelling and authentic personalities for those characters to create immersive, interactive and engaging experiences that reflect real life,
  • Embed essential corporate soft skills into the creation of each character's personality traits to enhance the relevance of the conversations.

To achieve these goals, we customized ten unique Conversation Partners and designed their distinct personality traits that lend authenticity to each character and align with essential corporate soft skills like active listening, conflict resolution and teamwork.

Interacting with this diverse cast of characters exposes users to a variety of communication styles, enhancing their ability to adapt and respond effectively in real-life professional situations.

Fostering authenticity and engagement

The diverse backgrounds and personalities of the Conversation Partners contribute to an authentic and engaging learning experience. Our clients can practice speaking with characters who simulate the behaviors and communication styles of real coworkers, making the practice sessions more relevant, practical and beneficial for their professional growth.

Developing soft business skills

By embedding essential corporate soft skills into the creation of the character's personalities, our corporate clients can apply and transfer their business skills into an immersive English-only environment. This approach not only improves language proficiency but aids in the transfer of existing skills and provides further exposure to culturally relevant practices related to conducting business in our increasingly globalized workplace.

Promoting inclusivity and representation

The inclusion of characters from various ethnicities and backgrounds ensures that the Digital Language Tutor is inclusive and representative of today's workplaces. This allows us to foster a sense of belonging and cultural awareness, which is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication and collaboration in modern professional environments.

Empowering for success in the workplace

The Digital Language Tutor for Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp shows the innovative use of AI in language learning, particularly in enhancing speaking and listening skills through authentic and engaging interactions.

By designing Conversation Partners from diverse cultural backgrounds with embedded soft business skills, we have created a tool that not only improves language proficiency but also provides valuable skills practice in realistic and relevant professional contexts. This approach sets a new standard for language learning applications, emphasizing the importance of diversity, authenticity and practical skill integration.

As we continue to expand our educational solutions, we remain committed to providing our clients, customers and learners with the most effective and inclusive tools to achieve their language learning goals and thrive in their professional lives.

Explore Digital Language Tutor

Want to learn more about Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp and the Digital Language Tutor? Register for our webinar now, exclusively for HR and Talent Development professionals.

Register for the webinar here

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Business woman presenting and discussing with two people in front of her

    How to recruit more effectively: leveraging language assessment AI

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    There areÌýÌýwhy recruiters use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their hiring process: to save time, provide valuable insights and to make their jobs easier.

    The recruitment process is vital to any thriving business, but it can be time-consuming and labor intensive. Sourcing candidates, screening resumes, conducting interviews and making hiring decisions can be stop-start, with some time-wasting tasks and reprocessing. However, as technology continues to evolve, the role of AI in recruitment is becoming increasingly important.

    With the help of AI, Talent Acquisition leads can improve their recruiting processes, save time and find better-quality candidates. believe AI greatly enhances talent acquisition and retention.

  • A teacher stood at a students desk helping them

    How the GSE can help teachers personalize activities

    By

    Reading time: 4.5 minutes

    Teaching is an art form that thrives on adaptation and personalization. When dealing with language instruction, ensuring that each student is engaged and effectively learning is of paramount importance. In my experience as a teacher, I have learned that we should always teach our students rather than the coursebook or the syllabus. I think most teachers would agree with this.

    However, it may be challenging to adapt activities to cater to our learners’ needs. What does personalizing an activity mean? How can we make it more accessible to our English learners? One would think that making the answers more obvious can be the way to go. Yet, this does not really help students learn and make progress. That's where the Global Scale of English (GSE) comes in as a valuable tool for personalizing teaching activities.

    The essence of personalized learning

    Personalizing an activity in language teaching does not simply mean making the responses more obvious. Instead, it's about tailoring the exercise to elevate the student's learning experience and potential for progress. This demands an insightful approach during the preparation phase of any given lesson.

    Utilizing the GSE in language teaching

    Let’s analyze this listening activity at A2 level for a group of adults:

    Audio script example:

    Emma: Are you working on the Media project?

    Vic: Yes. I may start working on a new project in a couple of weeks, but for now I’m writing the objectives for Media. Why?

    Emma: Well, Adam wants to see the photos for the project. He needs them for the ads.

    Vic: Oh, they’ll be ready next week. OK?

    Emma: Awesome! Thanks. Any plans for the weekend?

    Vic: Well, I have to work on Saturday. We’re taking the Media pictures in the morning, but we’re just going to have fun at the beach in the afternoon.

    Emma: Nice!

    Vic: What about you? What are you doing this weekend?

    Emma: I’m going to a concert on Sunday at 3 pm.

    Vic: That sounds fun!

    Listen and write T (true) or F (false)

    1. Vic is working on a new project.

    2.Ìý Vic is working on Saturday morning.

    3. Emma is going to a concert on Sunday evening.

    GSE Descriptors

    Upon dissecting this example by the GSE descriptors, we can identify the learning objectives that align with an A2 level:

    • Can identify simple information in a short video, provided that the visual supports this information and the delivery is slow and clear. (GSE 30)

    • Can identify basic factual information in short, simple dialogues or narratives on familiar everyday topics, if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 32)

    • Can understand the main information in short, simple dialogues about familiar activities, if spoken slowly and clearly.Ìý(GSE 33)

    • Can identify key information (e.g., places, times) from short audio recordings if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 33)

    We know that learners should be given a global task first for overall listening, which is also one of the communicative objectives in the Global Scale of English:

  • a group of friends smiling and looking at the one who is writing in a notepad

    Tips to help achieve your language learning resolutions

    By ÃÛÌÒapp Languages

    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Welcome to the beginning of a new year, filled with countless possibilities and exciting opportunities for learning a new language. If you're like most people, you probably have some language learning resolutions and goals you'd like to achieve this year.

    While setting these goals is easy, sticking to them can appear daunting. But don't worry, we’re here to help you not only set those goals but also achieve them like a pro. Below are some useful tips to help turn your language aspirations into reality this year and to keep you motivated towards your goals.