IELTS Speaking Simulator

Using our tool is simple: select the part of the test you want to simulate and start the conversation.
Afterward, you’ll receive an estimated band score.
We provide instruction to provide improved answers, key point summaries, and personalized feedback.
Please scan this QR code to try IELTS Speaking Simulator yourself.

Inspiration

We arrived in Canada just one month ago and are thrilled to participate in Hack the Hill.

As international students whose native language isn’t English, we’ve dedicated significant time and resources to improve our English proficiency, particularly in speaking, to prepare for our academic journey. Specifically, we’ve focused on the IELTS Speaking test.

According to the latest official IELTS data, the speaking section has the lowest average score among the four tests, with an average of 5.5 in China, compared to the highest average score of 6.3 in reading. It’s also the lowest speaking band score among all countries.

In China alone, nearly 1 million people prepare for the IELTS exam each year. “Many students resort to memorizing answers or using ineffective apps. Personal IELTS tutors can cost more than $50 per hour, which isn’t affordable for most general students.

What it does

To address this, we’ve developed IELTS Speaking Simulator!, a GPT-powered tool that offers authentic IELTS speaking practice.

Our simulator provides realistic test simulations by leveraging ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities. It randomly selects up-to-date topics from the latest IELTS question bank and offers personalized feedback with score estimations.

Using our tool is simple: select the part of the test you want to simulate and start the conversation. Afterward, you’ll receive an estimated band score. We provide instruction to provide improved answers, key point summaries, and personalized feedback.

Key Features and Advantages

Realistic Test Simulations: Leverages ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities to closely mimic the actual IELTS speaking test.
Up-to-Date Topics: Randomly selects questions from the latest IELTS question bank, ensuring relevant practice material.
Personalized Feedback: Provides score estimation, detailed feedback, and suggestions for improvement based on the conversation.

How we built it

We leverage the capability of ChatGPT to deliver the demo of this product.

Challenges we ran into

Despite not having a deep technical background, we overcame significant challenges:

1. Random Topic Selection

Initial Attempt: Uploading the question bank directly into ChatGPT, which didn’t work due to data handling limitations.
Second Attempt: Writing Python code to use the Code Interpreter in ChatGPT, which proved unstable.
Final Solution: Combining ChatGPT’s action capabilities with a Cloudflare Worker to select topics based on user input.

2. Prompt Engineering

Crafting effective prompts to control ChatGPT’s output was challenging. Unlike traditional coding, prompt engineering requires precise language.
We iterated over 50 times, refining our prompts to ensure ChatGPT followed our set rules and provided consistent outputs.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Our project addresses a significant real-world problem:

Accessibility: Offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive tutoring, making quality speaking practice accessible to more learners.
Confidence Building: Provides a safe environment for users to practice and improve without fear of judgment.
Scalability and Sustainability: The technology can be expanded to other languages and standardized tests, bridging language gaps globally.

What we learned

Throughout this project, we:

Learned New Technologies: Gained hands-on experience with ChatGPT’s capabilities, Cloudflare Workers, and prompt engineering.
Overcame Roadblocks: Tackled technical challenges despite our limited backgrounds, demonstrating perseverance and adaptability.
Developed New Skills: Enhanced our problem-solving abilities and understanding of AI integration.

What's next for IELTS Speaking Simulator

Real-Time Conversations: Utilize ChatGPT’s advanced voice mode for seamless, real-time interactions.
Voice Feedback: Incorporate pronunciation and fluency assessments to provide more holistic feedback.
Expansion: Adapt the tool for other standardized speaking tests and languages, broadening its impact.

You can scan this QR code to try out IELTS Speaking Simulator!