Based on a tutorial by AlexD Music Insight
Have you been stuck in the “silent period” of English learning, consuming tons of content but struggling to actually speak? You’re not alone, and there’s finally a solution that doesn’t involve the embarrassment of making mistakes in front of real people.
I’m summarizing this excellent video from AlexD Music Insight, where he thoroughly tests 5 cutting-edge AI tools designed specifically for English conversation practice. Some are completely free, others offer incredible features like video calling with AI that can see and respond to your surroundings. This comprehensive review will save you hours of testing and help you choose the perfect AI companion for your English speaking journey.
Quick Navigation
- Essential Criteria for AI English Teachers (02:15-04:30)
- ChatGPT Review – The Reliable Corrector (04:31-08:45)
- Gemini Live – The Memory Master (08:46-12:30)
- Grok 3 – The Grammar Guru (12:31-16:15)
- Copilot – The Slow but Steady Coach (16:16-19:00)
- Sesame AI – The Natural Conversationalist (19:01-22:45)
- Revolutionary Video Call Features (22:46-28:30)
- Final Verdict and Recommendations (28:31-30:00)
Essential Criteria for AI English Teachers
Before diving into the reviews, AlexD established four crucial criteria that any AI English teacher must meet to be truly effective for language learners.
The Four Must-Have Features:
- Natural Speech: The AI must sound like a native speaker, not robotic or artificial
- Emotional Expression: Conversations should feel engaging with appropriate emotional responses
- Quality Feedback: The AI must remember conversations and provide specific improvement suggestions
- Conversation Flow: Ability to guide discussions naturally while maintaining context throughout
My Take:
These criteria are spot-on for anyone serious about improving their speaking skills. The feedback component is especially crucial – without it, you’re just having random chats rather than structured learning sessions.
ChatGPT Review – The Reliable Corrector
ChatGPT (free version) offers about 30 minutes of monthly voice conversation. AlexD tested it with a casual conversation about running and hobbies.
ChatGPT Strengths:
- Immediate correction after every response with better phrasing suggestions
- Natural conversation flow in the beginning
- Clear explanations: “I like running” instead of “I like run”
- Good for beginners who need constant grammar feedback
ChatGPT Weaknesses:
- Limited pronunciation feedback despite obvious Vietnamese accent issues
- Conversation leadership drops off after initial questions
- Doesn’t extend conversations naturally or ask follow-up questions
- Monthly time limit on free version
My Take:
ChatGPT excels as a grammar coach but falls short as a conversation partner. It’s perfect for beginners who need sentence structure help, but intermediate learners might find it too focused on corrections rather than natural dialogue flow.
Gemini Live – The Memory Master
Google’s Gemini Live impressed with its conversation memory and emotional responses, though it had some quirks in following instructions.
Gemini Live Strengths:
- Excellent conversation memory – remembers details throughout long chats
- Highly emotional responses with lots of exclamations and encouragement
- Completely free with no time restrictions
- Strong motivational feedback that keeps you engaged
Gemini Live Weaknesses:
- Sometimes ignores specific instructions about correction timing
- Limited pronunciation feedback – only catches obvious errors
- Can get too focused on conversation content rather than language correction
- Requires prompting to provide detailed feedback
My Take:
Gemini Live feels like chatting with an enthusiastic friend who happens to speak perfect English. The free access and strong memory make it incredibly valuable, especially for building confidence through positive reinforcement.
Grok 3 – The Grammar Guru
Elon Musk’s Grok 3 stood out with its unique real-time text display and comprehensive feedback system, though it can be overwhelming for some learners.
Grok 3 Strengths:
- Real-time text display showing both current and predicted speech
- Allows interruption and topic changes mid-conversation
- Comprehensive feedback covering grammar, pronunciation, and style
- Detailed pronunciation guidance with syllable breakdown
- Clear teaching approach with specific examples
Grok 3 Weaknesses:
- Can provide too much feedback, overwhelming beginners
- Sometimes sounds mechanical despite good content
- May focus too heavily on corrections rather than conversation flow
Example Correction from Grok:
"So much people" → "So many people"
Explanation: Use "so many" for countable nouns like people
Use "so much" for uncountable nouns like water
My Take:
Grok 3 is like having a strict but effective English teacher. The real-time text feature is genuinely innovative, and the detailed feedback is perfect for serious learners who want comprehensive improvement, not just casual chat.
Copilot – The Slow but Steady Coach
Microsoft’s Copilot showed a more traditional, methodical approach to English teaching, though with significant limitations in memory and consistency.
Copilot Strengths:
- Provides natural phrase alternatives for better expression
- Focuses on one correction at a time, less overwhelming
- Offers sophisticated sentence structures for advanced learners
- Patient, methodical teaching style
Copilot Weaknesses:
- Very limited memory – forgets topics after 30 seconds
- Slow, elderly-like speech pattern
- Inconsistent feedback delivery
- Often claims everything is “good” without specific improvements
- Poor conversation flow and topic retention
My Take:
Copilot feels like talking to a well-meaning but forgetful tutor. While it offers some good phrase suggestions, the memory issues and inconsistent feedback make it frustrating for longer practice sessions.
Sesame AI – The Natural Conversationalist
Despite being just a web demo, Sesame AI delivered the most natural conversation experience, though it may be too advanced for beginners.
Sesame AI Strengths:
- Most natural American English conversation style
- Uses contemporary slang and expressions naturally
- Excellent at filling conversation gaps logically
- Strong memory throughout entire conversation
- Provides sophisticated alternatives: “go back home” → “head home”
- Completely free web demo
Sesame AI Weaknesses:
- Too advanced vocabulary for beginners (B2+ level recommended)
- Limited pronunciation feedback
- May be overwhelming for lower-level speakers
- Being a demo, long-term availability uncertain
My Take:
Sesame AI is like chatting with a native English speaker who’s genuinely interested in your stories. The natural flow and contemporary expressions make it invaluable for intermediate to advanced learners, but beginners might struggle with the vocabulary level.
Revolutionary Video Call Features
Two of the AIs tested – ChatGPT and Grok – offer groundbreaking video call functionality where the AI can see your surroundings and have face-to-face conversations.
ChatGPT Video Call Highlights:
- Identified plants in Vietnamese and English: “cây bàng” (banyan tree)
- Analyzed surroundings and provided gardening advice
- Read facial expressions and emotions accurately
- Identified objects, bus numbers, and estimated time of day
- Seamlessly switched between Vietnamese and English
Grok Video Call Performance:
- Correctly identified wooden statue and plants
- Provided Vietnamese translations for plant names
- Good at reading basic emotions and expressions
- Less detailed than ChatGPT but still functional
My Take:
The video call feature adds about 60% more engagement to conversations. Being able to discuss your actual surroundings creates authentic conversation topics and makes the interaction feel remarkably human-like. This is definitely the future of language learning.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
After 24 hours of intensive testing, AlexD concluded that AI won’t replace human teachers but will serve as invaluable practice partners for building confidence and reducing solo study time.
Best AI for Each Learning Stage:
- Beginners: ChatGPT for constant grammar correction and basic conversation
- Intermediate: Gemini Live for free, encouraging practice with good memory
- Advanced: Sesame AI for natural, sophisticated conversations
- Serious Learners: Grok 3 for comprehensive feedback and detailed corrections
- Video Practice: ChatGPT for the most advanced visual recognition capabilities
Overall Learning Strategy:
- Start with text chat to build confidence
- Progress to voice calls when comfortable
- Try video calls for advanced practice and real-world scenarios
- Use multiple AIs to get varied feedback and conversation styles
My Take:
The key insight here is that AI language practice removes the fear and embarrassment that often prevents people from speaking. You can make mistakes, get instant feedback, and try again without judgment. This psychological safety is perhaps the most valuable aspect of AI-powered language learning.
