ELSA Speak

ELSA Speak is an AI-powered pronunciation coach that provides instant, phoneme-level feedback on English pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. Designed specifically for non-native speakers, ELSA uses speech recognition technology trained on diverse accents to identify pronunciation errors that human ears often miss. For ESL teachers, ELSA functions as a tireless, patient pronunciation tutor that can provide individualized feedback to every student simultaneously, something impossible in traditional classroom settings where teacher attention is divided among dozens of learners. What makes ELSA uniquely valuable for ESL contexts is its focus on accent reduction and intelligibility rather than perfect native-like pronunciation. The app breaks down each word into individual sounds (phonemes) and shows students exactly which sounds they are producing incorrectly, with visual feedback that helps learners self-correct. Research shows 90% of users improve pronunciation and 95% report higher confidence after using ELSA, with 27 hours of study equivalent to an ESL speaking course at an American university. The app includes over 7,000 lessons covering real-world contexts like job interviews, travel, and workplace communication. ESL teachers integrate ELSA as homework or independent practice, assigning specific lessons that target sounds their students struggle with most. For example, Spanish speakers can practice lessons focused on /v/ vs /b/ distinction, while Mandarin speakers work on /r/ and /l/ differentiation. Teachers can track student progress through ELSA for Schools, which provides class-level analytics showing which sounds students are mastering and which need additional instruction. The free version offers limited daily practice, while ELSA Pro (9/year) unlocks full lesson access and detailed progress tracking.

• Targeted Pronunciation Practice for Problem Sounds: Teachers identify class-wide pronunciation issues (e.g., /th/ sounds for Spanish speakers) and assign specific ELSA lessons targeting those phonemes for independent practice • Pre-Presentation Confidence Building: Students preparing oral presentations use ELSA to rehearse key vocabulary and phrases, receiving immediate feedback on pronunciation and intonation before presenting to the class • Accent Reduction for Professional Communication: Adult learners and business English students use ELSA's workplace-focused lessons to improve pronunciation for job interviews, client meetings, and professional networking • Self-Paced Speaking Skill Development: Students practice speaking skills asynchronously outside class time, allowing class hours to focus on interactive communication activities rather than pronunciation drills • Progress Tracking for Individual Learning Plans: Teachers use ELSA for Schools analytics to identify students needing extra pronunciation support and create personalized learning paths based on individual error patterns