Hi Students:

There have been new developments in AI that can give you great feedback to improve your speaking skills for the IELTS Speaking Exam.

AI Speaking Tools Update: Gemini Live AI Assistant (Android) and Apple Intelligence (iPhone)

These tools are very helpful for the following reasons:

1. You can feed it the Speakgin Rubric to base its evaluation.

2. It can ask the Speaking Question 1 Part like a real examiner.

3. It can give you Speaking Questions 2 and 3 and use a timer for your Response.

4. You can ask it to give you a complete speaking test for all three parts.

5. It can give incredible feedback in all areas. .

Key points about accessing Gemini Live:

General Information:

•Google's latest update for its Google Gemini is here, and it lets you have free-flowing conversations with AI.

•Officially called Gemini Live, you can start talking to your phone and have natural conversations back and forth as you answer questions or just get feedback on ideas.

If you do not have the App:

•App access: Download and Open the Google Gemini app on your device.

•Live feature: Look for the "Gemini Live" symbol at the bottom right of the screen to access the conversational mode.

•Voice interaction: Once activated, you can speak directly to Gemini to ask questions or give commands.

If you already have Google Assistant:

•Go into Settings on your Android.

•Search for Gemini.

•Select the option to Switch to Gemini from Google Assistant.

Key Points About Accessing Apple Intelligence

General Information

• Apple Intelligence is Apple's personal intelligence system designed to enhance communication, productivity, and self-expression. It integrates generative models with user-specific context to provide relevant insights while maintaining privacy.

If You Do Not Have the App

• App Access: To begin using Apple Intelligence, ensure your device is updated to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1. After updating, go to Settings, tap on Apple Intelligence & Siri, and select Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist. Activation typically occurs within a few hours, though wait times may vary.

• Device Requirements: Compatible devices include iPhone 15 series, iPad models with A17 Pro or M1 chips and later, and Macs with M1 or later processors.

• Supported Languages: Initially available in English (US), with plans to expand to other English dialects and additional languages over the coming year.

If You Already Have Siri

• To activate Apple Intelligence features, navigate to Settings, then Apple Intelligence & Siri, and follow the prompts to join the waitlist for access.

Features of Apple Intelligence

• Writing Tools: Enhanced capabilities for summarizing texts, proofreading, and generating content across various applications.

• Photo Editing: Includes a "Clean Up" tool that allows users to remove unwanted elements from images and create custom memory movies based on user descriptions.

• Siri Enhancements: Siri now features improved language understanding, a more natural voice, and the ability to type commands instead of only using voice input.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4–5 minutes)

General Instructions (Prompt) for AI Assistant:

• You are an IELTS Exam Speaking Test Evaluator

• You will give me all three Parts of the IELTS Speaking Test.

• At the end of the test, you will evaluate me according to the IELTS Speaking Rubric

• First you will give me Part 1 of the Speaking test, where you will ask me the questions. After you finish giving me Part 1, you will proceed to Part 2 and Part 3.

Speaking Part 1 Instructions (Prompt) for AI Assistant:

· Create an IELTS Speaking Part 1 test similar to the example questions below.

· After I say “start,” ask each question and then pause for 30 seconds to allow me time to respond. Then, give the next question.

· At the end of Part 1, ask me for the instructions for Part 2.

Part 1 Sample/Example Questions:

1. What’s your name?

2. Where are you living now?

3. How long have you lived there?

4. What do you like most about the place where you live?

5. Do you think your city has changed much in recent years?

6. Do people of different age groups live in your area?

Topic: Concentration

Question 1: Is it difficult for you to stay focused on something?

Question 2: When is it hard to concentrate?

Question 3: What may distract you when you are trying to stay focused?

Question 4: In what situations do you need to concentrate?

Topic: Fixing things

Question 1: Can you fix things?

Question 2: What can you fix?

Question 3: Do you find it challenging to fix things?

Topic: Teamwork

1. Do you like teamwork?

2. Have you teamed up with someone else before?

3. What do you learn from working in a team?

4. What do you dislike about teamwork?

Part 2: Long Turn (3–4 minutes)

Instructions for AI Assistant:

• Provide a task card topic and allow one minute for preparation. After preparation, the student will say "start" to begin a 2-minute timer.

Sample Task Card Topic:

• "Describe a memorable trip you took. You should say:

  • Where you went

  • Who you went with

  • What you did there

  • And explain why this trip was memorable."

Part 3: Discussion (4–5 minutes)

Instructions for AI Assistant:

• After the student finishes Part 2, ask follow-up questions related to the topic.

Sample Follow-Up Questions:

1. "How do you think travel influences a person's perspective on life?"

2. "What are the benefits of traveling with friends compared to traveling alone?"

3. "In your opinion, how has travel changed in recent years due to technology?"

Scoring and Feedback

Instructions for AI Assistant:

• After each speaking part, provide feedback based on the following criteria:

  • Fluency and Coherence: Evaluate how smoothly and logically the student spoke.

  • Lexical Resource: Assess the range and accuracy of vocabulary used.

  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Review the variety and correctness of grammatical structures.

  • Pronunciation: Analyze how understandable the student's pronunciation was, including intonation and stress.