English Online AiBC: AI language learning with speaking activities

Regular speaking practice is essential for learners to build confidence and fluency in a new language. Your team needs plenty of opportunities to use English in realistic situations, to reinforce lesson content, and to receive targeted feedback.

The British Council’s AI engine, AiBC, makes it easier for your teams to receive meaningful speaking practice outside the class. In this guide, find out how our new AI speaking activities, powered by AiBC, give your organisation a scalable, measurable way to strengthen workforce communication.

What is AiBC?

AiBC is the British Council’s new AI Engine available through our English Online courses. It gives teams access to AI-powered speaking activities after every lesson, so they can practice what they’ve just learned.

What’s more, learners can find sector-specific AI speaking activities in our English Online courses. These provide immersive speaking practice with instant, actionable feedback that’s relevant to their working context. Aside from supporting them directly in their professional roles, recent research shows that learners make significantly more progress when learning materials like these relate to their daily lives.

All the British Council’s AI English learning activities are available from beginner to advanced levels (A1 – C1 CEFR). This ensures that every employee at your organisation can benefit from speaking practice regardless of their starting level.

How AiBC supports organisational goals

AiBC combines the British Council’s teaching expertise with smart AI and measurable reporting to have a proven impact on your workforce. It achieves this impact through several key features:

• Scalable learning that balances live instruction with self-led AI practice
• Curricula aligned to real workplace communication needs across industries
• Activities designed to fit the British Council methodology, built on proven teaching approaches and 90 years of expertise
• Trained and experienced teachers who meet a consistently high standard
• A secure learning environment with AI you can trust
• British Council’s trusted reputation among learners worldwide

And our reporting dashboards allow you to monitor your learners’ progress and understand the ROI of training programmes

The benefits of AiBC speaking practice

While AiBC helps organisations meet their goals, this latest feature of the English Online courses also impacts the learner experience. Benefits to learners include:

• Personalised learning: AI adapts to each learner’s pace and needs to meet their challenge level.
• Real-world applications: Learners receive preparation for common workplace situations like international meetings, interviews, and presentations.
• Seamless integration: AI conversations are tied to lessons, so every activity feels meaningful and contributes to learning progress.
• Confidence and security: English online sessions provide a safe, nurturing environment to learn English with AI before using it in real-life situations.
• In-depth expertise: All AI-powered activities have been developed by British Council experts who have a deep understanding of what learners need to advance across global contexts.

The different types of AiBC speaking activities

Learners can access three different types of speaking practice to support them through every stage of learning.

End-of-lesson speaking activities

After every English Online class, learners have the chance to practise what they’ve learned with our AI speaking tool. They can revisit key grammar and vocabulary, and master these structures before they move on to new topics. AiBC contextualises the language points in everyday, familiar topics, giving learners meaningful practice. They move from only being aware of grammar and vocabulary to using it effectively. As all speaking practice is tied to a learner’s specific CEFR level, activities remain challenging yet ultimately achievable.

End-of-theme speaking activities

Following a series of lessons, learners complete a theme and unlock a special AI speaking activity. This combines all the language they’ve learned so far into realistic challenges for work and social situations. End-of-theme speaking activities provide learners with feedback after they’ve completed the task, giving them insights into their overall performance. They come to understand their strengths and areas of improvement, whether grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation.

Work-sector speaking activities

Learners engage with speaking activities using English vocabulary related to sectors such as banking, healthcare, and technology, to help them strengthen workplace communication. For example, they might practise handling a customer query, explaining a software update or discussing a simple office problem.

After the speaking activity, learners receive feedback to understand where to improve and support their development in professional English.

The feedback provided through AiBC on English Online

AiBC provides instant, targeted feedback on different areas of speaking performance so all learners know their strengths and where to improve. A recent study found that this type of AI-powered, personalised feedback can significantly improve language acquisition and help organisations meet their goals faster.

Through AiBC, learners can receive feedback on:

• Grammar: The accuracy and range of structures used
• Vocabulary: The appropriateness and variety of language used
• Fluency: The ability to speak smoothly and with expression
• Task achievement: How well a scenario was addressed
• Clarity of ideas: How clearly a message comes across

British Council methodology: AI speaking practice and our flipped learning model

English Online courses weave AI speaking practice into the British Council’s flipped learning model to improve learning outcomes. In this model, learners engage with new language points by themselves, practise in class, and review what they’ve learned afterwards through AI-powered exercises.

This flipped learning approach with smart AI and expert teachers ensures busy employees make the most of their allotted study time. They arrive prepared for class so they can focus on improving their communication skills and receive targeted speaking practice with the support of AiBC outside of these sessions.

Conclusion

Combining AI language learning and feedback with teaching expertise in English Online courses offers a holistic approach to business English training. Teams meet all their learning needs and gain a comprehensive view of their progress, strengthening every area of their study.

While AI can never replace teachers, our new features complement classroom learning. AiBC provides learners with extra support, reinforces key skills, and helps everyone in your organisation take their English to the next level. See how tailored English training can improve your team’s skills.

Book a demo with English Online.