Paul's Summary of 5 AI apps for Conversation Practice

 5 AI APPS FOR ENGLISH CONVERSATION PRACTICE.pdf

Asked Copilot to draft a congratulations speech for me and to generate a PPT to go with the speech

 I am using M365 Copilot for this task. 

MY PROMPT: 

help me write a one-minute video script to congratulate the upcoming 10th anniversary conference of the Macao Association for English Language Teaching (MAELT). MAELT is a very active professional organisation for English Language teachers in Hong Kong. It holds an annual conference every year, as well as occasional professional development workshops on specific topics. I attended their inauguration ceremony in 2017. I attended their annual conference two years ago, and I delivered the keynote speech. I am highly appreciative of the effort of the executive committee of MAELT in promoting the professionalism of English teachers in Macao. Finish the video script by my wishing them every success for their 10th anniversary conference. 

OUTPUT: 

Here’s a warm and professional one-minute video script tailored for your message to the Macao Association for English Language Teaching (MAELT):

---

**[Opening – Friendly and sincere tone]**

Hello everyone,  

I’m Paul Sze from Hong Kong, and I’m delighted to send my heartfelt congratulations to the Macao Association for English Language Teaching on the occasion of your 10th anniversary conference.

**[Middle – Personal connection and appreciation]**

I still remember attending your inauguration ceremony back in 2017—it was a truly inspiring moment. Two years ago, I had the honour of delivering the keynote speech at your annual conference, and I was deeply impressed by the energy, professionalism, and dedication of everyone involved.

MAELT has grown into a vibrant and active professional organisation, consistently supporting English language teachers through annual conferences and targeted professional development workshops. Your commitment to promoting excellence in English teaching in Macao is truly commendable.

**[Closing – Well wishes]**

To the executive committee and all members of MAELT—thank you for your tireless efforts. I wish you every success for your 10th anniversary conference and for many more years of impactful work ahead!

---==================================================

COPILOT then offered: 

Would you like help recording or formatting this for video delivery—like adding subtitles or visual cues?

I said yes, and then it gave me a script with 3 sections and screen suggestions for each secton. 

++++++++++++++++++++

COPILOT THEN offered to create a PPT: I said yes. 

Then it actually created the PPT, which is immediately usable (ie, not just the text content for each slide):

https://gocuhk-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/r/personal/paulsze_cuhk_edu_hk/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B98FAAC8F-2CE4-430D-B58D-07585C6D1DDC%7D&file=MAELT_10th_Anniversary_Message.pptx&action=edit&mobileredirect=true

Tried MagicSchool's Chatbot (Raina) vs Group Work Generator again for generating a Speaking classroom activity

 I used the same prompt, to see if the two methods would result in different outputs. 

It did.

This time, it is not that easy to see which method is better. The ideas are quite different. 

At this point, in terms of logistics, Group Work Generator allows you to input the parameters (eg., length of activity; grade level)

The output from Group Work Generator is slightly more elaborate. 

==========

MY PROMPT: 

I am an ESL teacher at a secondary school. Please create An oral discussion activity for ESL students to practise the following speaking skills.

1. Present information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently

2. convey ideas and information in conversations or discussions

There are 3 students in each group. The topic is 'effective time management for secondary schools students'.

The group discussion activity should last for about 20 minutes.

========

OUTPUT FROM RAINA

Here's a structured 20-minute oral discussion activity for your ESL students in groups of 3, focused on practicing clear presentation and conversational skills on the topic "Effective Time Management for Secondary School Students."

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Group Oral Discussion Activity: Effective Time Management for Secondary School Students

Duration: 20 minutes
Group Size: 3 students per group
Skills Practiced:

• Presenting information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently
• Conveying ideas and information in conversations and discussions

---

Activity Outline

1. Warm-up (3 minutes)

• Each student briefly shares one way they currently manage their time or one challenge they face with time management.
• Encourage students to use clear, simple sentences and explain their feelings about it.

2. Group Discussion (15 minutes)

• Topic: Effective Time Management for Secondary School Students
• Roles (rotate if desired):
  • Student A: Shares ideas about planning and organizing daily tasks (e.g., use of planners, setting priorities).
  • Student B: Talks about dealing with distractions and staying focused (e.g., putting away phones, finding quiet study spaces).
  • Student C: Discusses balancing schoolwork with leisure and rest (e.g., scheduling breaks, hobbies, sleep).

Guidelines:

• Each student presents their part clearly, explaining their ideas and feelings about why these strategies are helpful.
• After each presentation, the other two students ask one or two questions to encourage conversation and clarify ideas.
• Encourage using phrases like:
  • "I think that..."
  • "In my opinion..."
  • "Can you explain more about...?"
  • "How do you feel about...?"
  • "I agree/disagree because..."

3. Wrap-up (2 minutes)

• Each group member summarizes one key point they learned from their peers.
• End with a positive statement about how they can use these ideas to improve their own time management.

---

If you want, I can also provide sentence starters or a brief vocabulary list to support your students during the activity! Would you like that?

===================================================================

OUTPUT FROM GROUP WORK GENERATOR

https://app.magicschool.ai/tools/group-work?share=e8cffd82-e46c-4143-836e-5d4d75a797a3 

Group Work Task: Oral Discussion on Effective Time Management

Grade Level: 8th Grade

Duration: 20 Minutes

Group Size: 3 Students

Objective:

Students will practice their speaking skills by presenting information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently while conveying ideas in a group discussion about effective time management for secondary school students.

---

Materials Needed:

• Whiteboard or paper for jotting down ideas
• Timer
• Optional: Notebooks and pens for taking notes

---

Task Structure:

1. Introduction (3 minutes):

   • Begin by explaining the importance of time management for secondary school students.
   • Provide a brief overview of the task and objectives.

2. Group Discussion Preparation (5 minutes):

   • Each student will take a moment to think of one personal experience or strategy related to time management.
   • Encourage them to jot down key points they want to share.

3. Group Discussion (10 minutes):

   • Students will take turns sharing their experiences and strategies for effective time management.
   • Each student should aim to speak for about 2-3 minutes.
   • After each presentation, the other two students should ask follow-up questions or provide feedback to encourage conversation.

   Guiding Questions:

   • What strategies do you use to manage your time effectively?
   • How do you prioritize your tasks?
   • Can you share a time when poor time management affected your schoolwork?

4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (2 minutes):

   • Conclude the discussion by asking each student to share one new idea or strategy they learned from their peers.
   • Encourage them to think about how they might implement these strategies in their own lives.

---

Roles:

• Presenter: Shares their experience or strategy during their turn.
• Questioner: Asks follow-up questions and engages with the presenter.
• Note-taker: Jots down key points and insights shared during the discussion.

Assessment:

• Monitor the discussion for clarity of expression and engagement.
• Provide feedback on their speaking skills and ability to convey ideas clearly.

---

Reflection:

After the activity, have a brief discussion as a class about the importance of time management and how it can impact their academic success. Encourage students to think about their own time management skills and areas for improvement.

---

This structured group task will help ESL students develop their speaking skills in a supportive environment while engaging in meaningful discussions about a relevant topic.

==========

OUTPUT FROM RAINA

MagicSchool's chatbot did a better job than the group work generator

Then, I turned to Magic School's Chatbot (Raina) to see if it would do a better job than the group work generator function. 

Indeed, it did a MUCH better job. 

MY PROMPT: 

I am an ESL teacher at a secondary school. Please create An oral group activity for ESL students to practise the following speaking skills. 

- Present information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently

- convey ideas and information in conversations or discussions

There are 3 students in each group. The topic is 'ideas for effective time management for secondary schools students'. 

The group discussion activity should last for about 20 minutes. 

OUTPUT: 

 Certainly! Here's a clear and engaging 20-minute oral group activity for your ESL secondary students to practice presenting and conveying ideas on effective time management.

---

Group Oral Activity: Effective Time Management for Secondary School Students

Group Size: 3 students per group
Duration: 20 minutes
Topic: Ideas for effective time management for secondary school students

---

Objectives:

• Present information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently
• Convey ideas and information effectively in conversations or discussions

---

Activity Structure:

1. Warm-up (3 minutes)

• Each student briefly shares one way they currently manage their time (e.g., using a planner, setting alarms, or making to-do lists).
• Encourage clear and simple sentences.

2. Group Discussion (12 minutes)

• Topic: "Ideas for effective time management for secondary school students"
• Each student takes turns to share one idea for managing time effectively, explaining why it is helpful.
• Other group members ask one question or add one comment after each idea to practice conversational skills.
• Encourage students to speak clearly and listen actively.

3. Group Summary (5 minutes)

• Together, the group decides on the three best ideas they discussed.
• One student volunteers to present the group’s summary clearly and coherently to the class or the teacher.
• If time allows, other students can add their thoughts or feelings about the ideas shared.

---

Teacher Tips:

• Model an example idea and question before starting (e.g., "Using a planner helps me remember my homework. What about you?").
• Encourage students to use simple connectors like "because," "and," or "so" to explain their ideas.
• Monitor groups to support vocabulary and clarify meaning as needed.
• Praise clear communication and respectful listening.

---

Would you like me to provide a simple vocabulary list or sentence starters for your students to help them during the discussion?

Padlet's Class Activity Ideas - Too brief and not useful

 After trying out MagicSchool for generating a Speaking group activity, I turned to Padlet TA's 'Classroom Activity Idea'. 

MY PROMPT

OUTPUT

OBSERVATIONS

- 3 ideas at 3 effort levels.

- Ideas: too brief and not closely related to the topic. 

MagicSchool's Prompt Assistant is useful but the group work generator is ... meh

 MagicSchool has one function that I find useful: Prompt Assistant.

Example:

- I was using the Groupwork Generator to create a group speaking activity

- My original prompt (after specifying the target grade level, and time available): 

A speaking activity for ESL students to practise the following Speaking skills: Present information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently - convey ideas and information in conversations or discussions - use words and expressions appropriate to the context - use appropriate discourse markers

- I then clicked on 'Prompt Assistant', which gave me: 

Design a speaking activity for ESL students aimed at enhancing their ability to: 

1. Present information, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently. 

2. Engage in conversations or discussions by effectively conveying ideas and information. 

3. Utilize context-appropriate vocabulary and expressions. 

4. Apply appropriate discourse markers to facilitate smooth communication. 

Please specify the topic or theme for this activity.

- Of course, I can edit the 'Improved Prompt' if I want to. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the above case, I accepted the Improved Prompt, and got the following idea which, though detailed, I don't quite like: 

Group Work Task: ESL Speaking Activity

Topic: Environmental Conservation

Objective:

Students will enhance their speaking skills by presenting information about environmental conservation, engaging in discussions, and using appropriate vocabulary and discourse markers.

Group Structure:

• Group Size: 3 Students
• Roles:
  • Researcher: Gathers information and prepares the presentation.
  • Presenter: Delivers the oral presentation to the class.
  • Discussion Facilitator: Leads the conversation and engages classmates after the presentation.

Task Duration: 20 Minutes

Task Breakdown:

1. Preparation (10 minutes)

   • Researcher:
     • Find at least three key points about environmental conservation (e.g., reducing plastic use, recycling, protecting wildlife).
     • Write down important vocabulary and expressions related to the topic.
   • Presenter:
     • Organize the key points into a clear and coherent presentation format.
     • Prepare to present ideas clearly, using appropriate discourse markers (e.g., "First," "Additionally," "In conclusion").
   • Discussion Facilitator:
     • Prepare questions to engage classmates in conversation after the presentation, such as:
       • "What are some ways we can reduce plastic use in our daily lives?"
       • "Why is recycling important for our environment?"

2. Presentation (5 minutes)

   • The Presenter shares the key points with the class, clearly articulating information and using the prepared vocabulary and expressions.

3. Discussion (5 minutes)

   • The Discussion Facilitator engages the classmates by asking prepared questions and encouraging them to share their thoughts and experiences related to environmental conservation.

Expected Outcomes:

• Each student will improve their speaking skills by presenting and engaging in discussion.
• Students will practice using context-appropriate vocabulary and effective discourse markers.
• The group will collaboratively enhance their understanding of environmental conservation while developing their communication skills.

Materials Needed:

• Paper and pens for notes
• Access to digital devices for research (if available)

Post-Activity Reflection:

After the activity, each student should reflect on their role and contributions, discussing what they learned and how they can improve in future speaking activities.