Speakable

Speakable is an edtech platform designed for K-12 and higher education language teachers, offering tools to create, assign, and grade speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities in over 100 languages. It integrates with learning management systems like Google Classroom, Canvas, and Schoology, streamlining classroom workflows. The platform includes a free plan, a paid Teacher Pro plan, and organization plans for schools, with pricing details available on its website.

Key features include the Lightning Builder, an AI tool that generates activities from prompts or imported content like Excel or Quizlet files. The Global Library provides access to a shared collection of teacher-created activities, while the Organization Library supports school-specific resources. Auto-grading handles multiple-choice and spoken responses, and real-time feedback helps students improve pronunciation instantly. Analytics tools, including gradebooks and ACTFL/WIDA estimates, track student progress with detailed metrics.

Compared to competitors like Duolingo for Schools and Quizlet, Speakable emphasizes speaking practice and offers more robust feedback and analytics. However, its learning curve may challenge less tech-savvy users, and it requires a stable internet connection, which could limit accessibility in some settings. Pricing for paid plans is higher than some alternatives, though the free plan covers basic needs.

Multimedia integration enhances lessons, allowing teachers to embed YouTube videos, Google Images, or podcasts. The Spaces feature enables collaboration by letting educators share and edit activities. Speakable is FERPA and COPPA compliant, ensuring data privacy for students.

Everyone can start by signing up for the free plan and test the Lightning Builder with a simple activity. Use the Global Library to find pre-made lessons and save time. Ensure your school’s internet is reliable to avoid disruptions, and review the analytics to tailor instruction to student needs.