A structured writing environment for foreign-language learners.
Generative AI can produce a finished text in seconds, but when AI does the writing, learners can miss the practice the task is designed to provide.
PrepTalk breaks writing tasks into teacher-designed stages. Learners practice useful language, develop their ideas and revise with targeted AI feedback. The support helps them move forward without writing the text for them.
Each stage focuses on one part of the task. PrepTalk checks responses against clear criteria and offers targeted hints when needed. Learners revise, try again, and move forward when the stage is complete.
Before writing, learners practice language they will use in the task, such as expressing agreement or supporting an opinion. These expressions are saved to their notepad, ready to use as they write.
Try it yourself
Drag the phrases from weaker to stronger, then select Check.
Drag each phrase from weaker to stronger agreement.
As learners complete each writing stage, their own words are saved to the notepad alongside useful phrases. They then review and edit the complete text before finishing the activity.
PrepTalk records attempts, validation patterns, hint levels, timings, and completion across every stage, revealing how learners work through an activity.
The teacher dashboard helps teachers follow class progress and identify recurring difficulties. These signals also support research into how learners respond to different scaffolds across activities.
Teacher DashboardHow the activities work, why we designed them this way, and what we still need to find out.
Forthcoming · Routledge
Ana Rosso’s forthcoming chapter asks what learners practice when AI helps with their writing. It sets out the teaching model behind PrepTalk.
Read the chapter overviewResearch & pedagogy
Ana holds a PhD from the University of Exeter and is a lecturer and researcher at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). Her research interests include literature, technology-mediated language learning, and second language acquisition. She leads the pedagogical and research direction of PrepTalk.
Product & technology
Kyle works in software development, with experience building AI tools for SaaS products. He leads the product and technical development of PrepTalk, translating its pedagogical model into the platform’s architecture, features, and user experience.