Speak is an English learning app specifically designed to enhance your conversation skills. With just a smartphone, you can practice English conversation anytime, anywhere🙂. Plus, it’s compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems, so you can even use it on tablets or iPads.
However, many people are unsure about how the lessons actually work, even after visiting the Speak website or watching their YouTube videos. That’s why in this guide, we’ll cover everything from how Speak was created to the details of how its lessons are structured!
Where Was Speak Created?
Before diving into how Speak works, let’s briefly go over its background. Speak wasn’t created in Korea. In fact, it all began in Silicon Valley, known as a hub for startups. The creator of Speak is Connor Zwick, a young American who had previously developed a successful English learning app called Flashcard+ during his high school years, which even topped the App Store.
Later, he dropped out of Harvard and dove into the startup world, eventually developing Speak. Connor had long been skeptical of traditional English learning methods. He often compared learning English to learning the piano, arguing that just like you can’t become proficient in piano by reading books, the same goes for learning English—you won’t become fluent just by studying.
It’s a well-known fact that to improve at speaking English, you need to practice speaking it, much like playing the piano. But in countries like Korea, where English isn’t widely spoken, finding opportunities to practice speaking can be a challenge. Despite English being a mandatory subject in schools, many people still struggle with basic conversations after studying it for over 10 years from elementary school.
Why Do Koreans Find English Conversation Difficult?
There are many reasons why Koreans find English conversation challenging, but one of the biggest factors is the lack of opportunities to speak English. For those who are introverted, striking up a conversation with a native speaker can be even more daunting. Some people try to study English by watching American TV shows, but since the language used in these shows can sometimes be exaggerated or overly casual, it can be difficult to apply in real-life situations.
This is one reason why Speak is a great tool, especially for professionals. It offers the opportunity to learn natural, real-world expressions and is particularly helpful for introverted learners who want to practice conversation before speaking with native speakers.
Now, let’s get into the specifics of how Speak lessons work.
How Do Speak Lessons Work?
Speak lessons are divided into two main types: content filmed by real people and AI-based content. You might have seen reviews mentioning both Koreans and native speakers, as well as AI features, which can be confusing. But in reality, Speak’s regular lessons incorporate all these learning methods. Each lesson is divided into four parts:
đź“Ś Regular Speak Lessons:
- Today’s Lesson (3-5 minutes)
- Speaking Practice (3-5 minutes)
- Situational Practice (5 minutes)
- Real-Life Practice (5 minutes)
- Today’s Lesson (with a Korean Teacher)
In this part, a Korean teacher based in San Francisco explains the day’s lesson in a way that’s easy to understand. Since the teacher is a Korean-American living in the U.S., they are familiar with common mistakes Koreans make when speaking English🙂. This makes it easier to grasp subtle differences in language usage, something often missed by those who have only taught in Korea or only lived abroad.
- Speaking Practice (Pronunciation Correction)
Next, you practice speaking out loud. Speak’s advanced speech recognition technology is capable of detecting even subtle differences in pronunciation. I initially thought the speech recognition wasn’t working, but it turned out that my pronunciation was the problem! It was tough to accept at first, but my pronunciation improved a lot thanks to this feature.
- Situational Practice (AI Free-Talking)
In this part, you get to practice free-talking with the AI based on the day’s lesson. Speak’s AI feature is built on the ChatGPT language model. Importantly, it doesn’t use the free legacy model but the latest version of ChatGPT, which is highly advanced. In fact, Speak started using GPT-4 six months before it was publicly released because of their collaboration with OpenAI.
I’ve been using the paid version of GPT since its release, but one limitation is that GPT doesn’t support voice conversations, which makes practicing speaking difficult. Speak, however, allows for voice-based conversations while also acting as a tutor, correcting your pronunciation and sentence structure.
- Real-Life Practice (Native Speaker Conversations)
Finally, in this part, you practice having conversations with native speakers. These aren’t live conversations, but they feel very authentic, almost like you’re video chatting with a native speaker. All of the content is filmed by native speakers based in San Francisco, and as you go through the lessons, you may start to feel a sense of connection with them (even though they don’t know you, of course!).
Recommended for Busy Professionals!
I’ve been using the Speak app for over a year now. Initially, I started using it because of its great value for money, but over time, I’ve come to see it as even more valuable. I highly recommend it to busy professionals in their 20s and 30s. It’s also great for those preparing to work in foreign companies or anyone wanting to improve their conversational skills.
Each lesson only takes about 15-20 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your daily routine. Plus, there are plenty of short, 5-minute lessons if you’re looking for a quick study session.
However, it’s important to note that Speak is primarily focused on speaking and conversation skills, as its name suggests. If you’re looking to study grammar or vocabulary in depth, you might find it lacking. But if you’re preparing for an English exam and want to use Speak as a supplementary tool, I think that could work well too.
For more details about Speak or to learn how to get the best discounts, check the link below. Just a heads up—if you’ve already done a free trial, discount codes won’t apply. You can still sign up and pay using a discount code, and if you need to cancel, you can contact customer support through the app. Speak offers a full refund within 7 days!