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Language Buddy

An AI-powered language partner that helps students practice speaking, build confidence, and improve fluency, anytime, anywhere.

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🔍 Overview

Language Buddy is a generative AI tool that allows students in beginner-level language courses to practice real-time, voice-based conversations with an AI partner. Originally designed for German 101/102 at ASU, the tool removes barriers to participation by offering private, 24/7 access to authentic, adaptive, level-appropriate speaking practice.

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🧠 My Role

I served as Product Manager for the AI system, and for the first MVP, acted as the primary developer and prompt engineer. I:

Built and launched a custom GPT prototype in ChatGPT

Designed the system prompt structure for three progressive learning modules

Integrated the experience directly into Canvas via GPT links

Conducted extensive prompt iteration based on student/faculty feedback

Led the transition toward a second-phase experience with a custom UI, voice integration, and deeper backend support

Collaborated closely with the lead German faculty member, leading weekly working sessions and integrating subject-matter feedback into product iterations

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🎯 The Challenge

Students in early-stage language courses often feel anxious about live speaking practice. Faculty struggled with:

Limited availability and scheduling complexity of peer conversations

Lack of helpful feedback between beginners

Delayed or inconsistent instructor input

Students’ inability to express personality or engage creatively in conversations

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💡 The Solution

Language Buddy replaced peer-based conversations with an on-demand, AI-powered experience. Key features included:

24/7 conversation access for limitless speaking time

Voice interaction through speech-to-text and text-to-speech

Private and low-pressure environment to reduce anxiety

Level-appropriate, adaptive conversation with real-world scenario simulation

Transcripts and real-time AI feedback to help learners reflect and grow

Built-in ability to pause, ask for help in English, or slow the conversation as needed

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🧪 User Research & Feedback

Pilot testing with German 101/102 students surfaced clear benefits:

Students loved the privacy and availability, especially those with full-time jobs or family commitments

They reported more speaking time and deeper conversation compared to peer partner assignments

Common feedback highlighted the tool’s value as a convenient, authentic way to practice real conversations

One student shared: “It was extremely helpful to hear how German is actually used in conversation.”

Feedback also showed that students enjoyed the adaptive features, like being able to slow down or ask for help in English

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🔧 Tech Stack

MVP version: Custom GPT in ChatGPT using prompt scaffolding and built-in knowledge base

Next-gen version:

OpenAI (via Create AI Enterprise Platform) for completions

11 Labs for voice generation with regional dialects

3D avatar interface built for Canvas integration

Speech-to-text / Text-to-speech for full conversational immersion

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🛠️ Tools Used

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Coda – project docs, planning, user stories, feedback tracking

OpenAI + ChatGPT custom GPTs

11 Labs – voice synthesis

Canvas – integration for student access and assignment linking

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