AI-Supported Academic Speaking Workbook
What is the AI-Supported Academic Speaking Workbook?
The listening workbook offers ten lessons on a clear, structured progression of developing academic speaking skills through the theme of education and learning in the digital age, helping students organise ideas clearly, participate in discussion and present academic arguments confidently in spoken English.
Booklet Content
Lesson Downloads
FREE SPEAKING LESSON 1: Structuring Short Academic Responses [new 2026]
This lesson guides students in structuring short academic spoken responses using key signposting phrases, reasons, and examples. Learners practice delivering 1-minute oral arguments on online learning topics and use AI tools to reflect on their performance. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] Audio File 1 TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-supported Academic Speaking 10-Lesson Workbook [new 2026]
This 10-unit workbook guides international students through academic speaking skills using digital education topics, moving from basic response structures to nuanced, qualified arguments. Learners systematically practice key strategies like hedging, causal reasoning, and diplomatic interaction, using AI tools solely to evaluate their spoken performance. LESSON EXAMPLE Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] Audio Files (link in download) TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
EXAMPLE SPEAKING LESSON
Lesson 3: Structuring Short Academic Responses
Aims of the Lesson
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- give a clear, structured academic spoken response to a university-style question.
- support your main idea with a reason and example.
- use simple academic speaking phrases to organise your answer.
- evaluate AI feedback without relying on AI to generate responses.
Tip: Focus on speaking clearly in short stages, not speaking perfectly.
Note: The theme of this lesson is ‘access and participation in online learning’. No specialist knowledge is needed.
Task 1: Model speaking – noticing the main focus
Listen or read the short model response and choose the best summary. [Audio link 1]
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Model Response |
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So, I think online learning can increase access to university education, particularly for students who can’t attend campus regularly. For example, recorded lectures and online resources allow learners to study at flexible times. However, access alone doesn’t necessarily guarantee engagement, so universities still need to provide guidance and interaction. Overall, digital tools can definitely support learning, but they tend to work best alongside active teaching. |
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Summary |
Tick (✓) |
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A. |
Online learning is always more effective than face-to-face teaching. |
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B. |
Online learning may improve access, but support and engagement are still needed. |
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C. |
Universities should replace campus teaching with digital platforms. |
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Task 2: Guided speaking – structured response practice
Read the question below, plan your response using the following framework, then practise speaking your response aloud. Do NOT aim for a memorised answer.
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Question: In your view, how does online learning support university students? |
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Structure |
Notes |
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Main point: |
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Supporting reason: |
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Example: |
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Short concluding comment: |
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Task 3: Language focus – organising short spoken responses
Match the following functions with the phrases.
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1. |
Introducing your point |
a. |
For example… |
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2. |
Adding a contrast |
b. |
What I mean by that is… |
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3. |
Giving an example |
c. |
In my view… |
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4. |
Clarifying meaning |
d. |
However, it’s important to note that… |
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5. |
Qualifying a claim |
e. |
Overall, I would say that… |
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6. |
Concluding |
f. |
This may depend on the context. |
Now complete the sentence following starters.
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1. |
In my view, online learning… |
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2. |
What I mean by that is … |
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3. |
For example, students can… |
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4. |
Overall, I would say that… |
Task 4: Extended speaking – applying structure
Now respond to a longer academic question by planning a 1-minute response using a clear main position, one supporting reason, one example and a brief conclusion. Plan your response in the box provided and then practise saying it aloud.
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Question: To what extent does digital access improve educational opportunity in universities? |
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Notes
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Task 5: AI-supported comparison
Now use an AI tool to support your learning. Use these exact steps. Drag and drop or paste the prompt below into the AI chat window and then record your verbal response from task 4.
Task 6: Reflection
Answer the following questions:
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1. |
Did the AI identify your main position in the same way as you? |
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2. |
Did the AI judge your supporting reason and example as clear? |
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3. |
Did the AI comment on your organising phrases appropriately, and what improvement did it suggest? |
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Task 7: Optional extension activity
In pairs or small groups, discuss a more challenging question related to the lesson theme. You should practise explaining your main position and supporting your main position with reasons and examples. Additionally, make sure you practise turn taking and agreeing/disagreeing politely.
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Question: Should universities provide more online learning options for international students? |
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Notes
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AI-Supported Academic Speaking 10-Lesson Workbook
FREE LISTENING LESSON 3: Recognising lecture organisation and signposting [new 2026]
Lesson 3 focuses on helping students recognise how spoken academic lectures are organised and how signposting language guides listeners through explanations. Students should listen for how the speaker introduces the topic and develops it across stages, rather than focusing on individual details. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] Audio File 5 / Audio File 6 TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-supported Academic Listening 10-Lesson Workbook [new 2026]
The AI-supported listening workbook helps international students develop confident academic listening skills for university study. Lessons progress from identifying main ideas and supporting detail to interpreting stance, qualification and implication in spoken academic lectures, using a neutral theme of education in the digital age. AI tools are used in a controlled way to support checking, reflection and critical evaluation rather than answer generation. LESSON BOOK EXAMPLE Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] Audio Files 1-20 (link in download) / Audio Files Video (link in download) TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-Supported Academic Reading 10-Lesson Workbook
FREE READING LESSON 4: Recognising writer’s stance and hedging [new 2026]
Lesson 4 focuses on recognising a writer’s stance in academic texts, including whether a position is positive, cautious, or critical. Students identify common hedging language and learn to distinguish between strong claims and cautious academic claims using short digital-learning texts, supporting more critical reading in later lessons. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-supported Academic Reading 10-Lesson Workbook [new 2026]
The AI-supported academic reading workbook helps international students develop core academic reading skills for university study. Lessons move from sentence-level understanding to paragraph and text analysis, using neutral academic themes linked to digital education. Students practise identifying main ideas, supporting details, reference, cohesion, and stance. AI tools are used in a controlled way to support checking and reflection rather than replace reading, supporting accurate comprehension, critical reading, and academic judgement. LESSON BOOK EXAMPLE Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-Supported Academic Writing 10-Lesson Workbook
FREE LESSON 1: Sentence Accuracy – Identifying Errors [new 2026]
Lesson 1 focuses on developing sentence-level grammatical accuracy, particularly subject–verb agreement and singular/plural nouns, using short academic sentences on digital learning as practice. It introduces controlled use of AI to help students check and reflect on their own corrections, laying the foundation for the remaining lessons in the ten-lesson sequence. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI-supported Academic Writing 10-Lesson Workbook [new 2026]
The AI-Supported Writing Workbook helps international students develop clear, accurate academic writing for university study. Lessons progress from sentence-level accuracy to paragraph-level writing, using a neutral academic theme focused on education in the digital age. AI tools are used in a controlled way to support checking, reflection and critical evaluation rather than content generation. LESSON BOOK EXAMPLE. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Research Paper
Generative AI In Higher Education: Opportunities, Risks and Assessment Design By C. Wilson (2025)
RESEARCH: This overview was created by analysing current guidance and evidence from the UK Government alongside policies and practice papers from leading UK universities: Glasgow, Leeds, Reading, Sussex, Manchester, Edinburgh, King’s College London, Leicester, Liverpool and Newcastle. Synthesising these sources enabled an in-depth, UK-focused analysis of generative AI in higher education, covering opportunities, risks, academic integrity, assessment design, and student use.
1. What is Generative AI?
Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in education refers to tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Deep Seek, Grammarly and Midjourney that create new content including text, images, code, and simulations to enhance and personalise teaching and learning. These technologies can support automated feedback, lesson design, adaptive tutoring, and the creation of realistic scenarios. However, they also carry risks such as spreading misinformation, raising ethical concerns, and weakening critical engagement when used without careful evaluation (1-5).
AI: umbrella term for all forms of artificial intelligence.
Generative AI: a specific type of AI designed to produce new data, not just process or recognise it.
More AI Lesson Downloads
AI Lecture Listening Test Worksheet [new 2025]
This listening lecture lesson examines how generative AI is reshaping higher education by exploring its opportunities, risks, and implications for assessment design. Students take notes using the PPT slide and then answer a range of questions: open, matching, multiple-choice, and critical thinking. EXAMPLE Level *****[B2/C1] VIDEO [14.30] / MP3 / PPT link in download / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
An Introduction to AI in the Classroom [new 2025]
This lesson introduces students to the key opportunities, risks, and ethical considerations of using generative AI in higher education. Through reading, writing, and discussion tasks, students learn how to apply AI responsibly, evaluate its limitations, and understand institutional policies such as the AI Traffic Light System for academic integrity. EXAMPLE Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] WEBPAGE TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AI Student Checklist [new 2025]
This Student AI Checklist helps learners use generative AI safely, ethically, and within university guidelines. It is important because it promotes academic integrity, protects personal data, and ensures students remain responsible for their own understanding and original work. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] INFORMATION WEBPAGE TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TED TALK: AI in the Real World
How AI will step off the screen and into the real world – Daniela Russ (2024)
This inspirational TED talk discusses how the convergence of AI and robots will unlock a wonderful world of new possibilities in everyday life. The listening tests includes multiple choice, short answer questions, sentence completion, table completion and summary completion. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [12:54] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TED TALK: Losing Control of A.I
Losing control of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Sam Harris
TED Talk: An informative talk about the worries of A.I and how we fail to address the seriousness of what A.I could become. Listening worksheets use a range of test type questions (T/F/NG, open questions, information gap fills, table completion, summaries, etc..). Example of test Level: ***** [C1] / Video [14:27] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TED TALK: A.I Save Humanity
How can A.I save humanity? – Kai Fu Lee
TED TALK: This lecture discusses how China has embraced A.I technology and is accelerating its advancement. It focuses on the main challenges that we all face with an A.I future and how it will positively compliment our lives.The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [14:42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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