Learn English. That is one of the most common New Year's resolutions (along with joining a gym), an idea that is usually proposed with great enthusiasm, but that gradually fades over time. This may change from now on thanks to Reading Coach, the new Microsoft app to learn English.
Another app to learn languages? That's right, although on this occasion it is fair to say that it is not a typical app, since it presents us with a different and interesting proposal. All because of the introduction of the Artificial Intelligence, increasingly present in all areas of our lives. Better than Duolingo? In many ways, probably yes. Although for now only to learn English, not other languages.
Until recently, this application was only available through Microsoft Teams. Now, however, it is open to all users completely free of charge. We tell you everything in more detail in the following paragraphs:
What is Reading Coach?
In principle, Reading Coach is a tool designed with students in mind to help them improve your level of pronunciation in the English language. In 2022 faith integrated within the section Reading Progress of Teams, achieving great popularity among both teachers and language students.
This application, which is available at this link, (always through a Microsoft account and for use on any PC), uses AI to help students practice and improve their reading skills in the language of Shakespeare. It also allows them to create their own stories.
One of its great advantages is that it allows students to practice learning the language through content that aligns with your own interests and particular focus. This also greatly facilitates the work of teachers and, above all, guarantees better results.
In short, we can affirm that the main objective of Reading Coach is to provide a adaptive approach to improve the reading level of English learners. The method combines three key elements: technology, personalization and motivation. The result is a positive and effective learning experience.
A virtual English teacher powered by AI
The best courses to learn english They are already incorporating artificial intelligence technology into their study and learning programs. Everything is moving in that direction, something that, on the other hand, is perfectly understandable: the possibilities that AI offers in this field are endless.
The main mission of this "virtual teacher" is to correct our pronunciation. The most common way to use it (this has been the case with Teams) is read a text aloud through the microphone. Reading Coach listens to us carefully and will tell us the most correct way to pronounce each word or give the appropriate intonation to each phrase. It also has the ability to switch from voice to text for comprehensive learning.
In addition, Reading Coach, as a good "reading coach", adapts to the level and age of each student, always seeking to improve both pronunciation and fluency when reading in English.
How can I use Reading Coach
One of the most striking features of Reading Coach is that allows students to choose stories, settings and characters from a series of preselected proposals. In this way, the AI generates a unique and personalized story that will serve as the basis for the reading and correction task.
To make the experience more attractive and even fun, the student can also interact with the selected story, choosing, for example, what happens in each chapter.
In any case, the final content is always adapted to the age and level of each student. This will have to read the story aloud. Feedback on correct pronunciation and other observations will occur instantly. It should also be noted that the app uses speech to text technology to analyze the reading performance of each student.
With this, it is possible to identify those words that resist us the most and know where we should focus more to improve (the functionality «Practice Words»). These aspects to improve are incorporated into the next chapter of the story, that is, the next reading challenge, to keep the demands at maximum levels and constantly improve.
Other aspects that the application also records are the accuracy, speed and the daily time that each student dedicates to reading.
Finally, it should be noted that the students' effort and progress (for example, unlocking new characters and scenarios) is rewarded by Reading Coach through a badge system. This is a fairly effective way of keep the student motivated. Something that is undoubtedly basic to obtain the best results.