With English as the world’s lingua franca, English language training is a priority for many of today’s companies across diverse industries. Investing in English language training drives a company’s productivity and efficiency and opens up new opportunities in the global market. Yet, while the ability to effectively understand and communicate in English is the primary driver of company investment, traditional English language courses often lack the opportunity to practice speaking English.
Bridge Corporate Language Learning, a leader at the forefront of language education, providing comprehensive language training solutions to multi-national corporations, universities, and ministries of education, actively implements innovative solutions to offer personalized, adaptive language training to meet a company’s unique goals. Among Bridge’s solutions that enhance English communication practice, our recent partnership with the language tutoring app FLOW Speak will be a game-changer for employees engaged in Business English learning.
What Is FLOW Speak?
FLOW Speak is an English language learning app that uses AI-powered voice technology for unlimited speaking practice. The application is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers, and combines smart voice technology, a structured learning path with over 1,200 lessons, and real-time feedback.
According to FLOW Speak CTO, John Goodman, speaking is the hardest part of learning a language, and there are not very many effective ways of practicing, especially if you don’t live in an English-speaking country.
“FLOW Speak stands out for its focus on building speaking confidence by practicing a wide variety of conversation scenarios and expressions,” said Goodman. “The platform uses real-world speaking scenarios so learners see how English is used on a daily basis, and not only in a classroom setting.”
FLOW Speak for Business focuses on business and casual lessons to build speaking confidence and understanding of natural expressions native English speakers use. The flexibility of an app that can be accessed at any time to support course learning ensures company stakeholders see faster results that improve customer relations, boost sales, and more.
Bridge Corporate Language Learning’s Partnership With FLOW Speak
As an EdTech company and early adopter of new technologies, Bridge actively seeks out tech solutions that involve technology and AI. After discovering FLOW Speak, Bridge saw its potential as a tool to expedite and support the language development skills of its Business English students and began actively seeking ways to incorporate the tool into its product pool.
“We believe it’s a valuable tool that can boost our learners’ communication skills by offering virtual online speaking practice,” said Karina Zew, Bridge’s Academic Director.
Goodman supported the collaboration. “We chose to partner with Bridge Corporate Language Learning because of the quality of Bridge’s learning content and their focus on balancing teacher-powered and technology-driven training,” he said.
While Zew and Goodman both believe teachers are an irreplaceable part of the learning process, they also passionately believe that combining technological resources with skilled teachers is a powerful recipe for successful language learning. With this partnership, learners get the best of both worlds with teacher-powered learning and cutting-edge technology, creating customized learning paths that fast-track learning so students master the professional skills they need most.
To that end, Bridge is using FLOW Speak along with synchronous, teacher-led Business English courses. Accessible from Bridge’s platform, students now have opportunities for asynchronous learning they can complete according to their schedule, flexibility that is valuable to professionals who often have busy schedules and competing priorities.
“The lessons will be part of our Bridge Platform, and learners will be able to have their lessons anytime, anywhere,” Zew said. The application also tracks results every time a student completes a lesson, providing students with feedback on pronunciation, speed, fluency, and grammar and teachers with valuable data on student progress.
How Does FLOW Speak Benefit Business English Students?
FLOW Speak is especially useful for Business English students because it provides opportunities to practice speaking skills in both casual and professional settings. Business English students may be interacting with colleagues, clients, and customers in a variety of ways, and FLOW Speak lessons that include business expressions and different professional applications of English help them become familiar with the jargon and terminology they’ll use on the job.
For example, a student can practice conversations for setting up appointments, asking questions in an interview, or giving feedback. Learners get to practice using English as they would when talking to peers, management, and customers.
There are three main ways in which FLOW Speak benefits Business English students.
Gaining Confidence Through Unlimited Practice
Regular practice that can be completed outside of class time reduces the stress and anxiety associated with speaking a new language in front of others. Students can repeat lessons as many times as they’d like, so they can review the app’s feedback and repeatedly practice until they develop smoother and more natural speech patterns. In addition, the practice scenarios help students become more adept at handling different business situations, such as meetings, presentations, and negotiations, ensuring they feel confident in their speaking ability within these contexts.
AI-Powered, Personalized Feedback
FLOW Speak leverages advanced AI technology to provide personalized feedback, which is crucial for effective learning. Students receive real-time corrections on their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage, allowing them to make quick adjustments and improvements. Additionally, voice recording technology allows students to play back their responses and compare them with the app’s native speaker example to make self-improvements.
The smart technology also analyzes the student’s performance and customizes practice sessions to address specific areas of need, ensuring that the student gets targeted support. Then, detailed feedback and progress reports help students monitor their improvement over time and provide teachers with information that can inform instructional strategies during class time.
Complementing Classroom Instruction
FLOW Speak is designed to work alongside traditional classroom instruction, enhancing the overall learning experience for Business English students. This complementary approach means students can use FLOW Speak to practice and reinforce what they have learned in class, leading to better retention and understanding. Simultaneously, the progress reports from the app can be used by instructors to inform their synchronous classroom instruction.
The platform also provides students with the flexibility to fit their language learning into busy schedules and expand on what they learned during class time with additional exercises and scenarios. Combining synchronous and asynchronous learning, students gain access to a more comprehensive learning experience.
The integration of FLOW Speak into Bridge’s already dynamic Business English courses is an exciting new development that aligns with Bridge’s mission to empower employees with the language skills necessary for success in today’s fast-paced, international marketplace. This partnership further supports Bridge’s goal of delivering a language learning solution that’s as dynamic and multifaceted as the businesses we serve.