speaking

Speaking Practice (Typed)

Overview

Conversational practice through typed dialogue. Unlike /writing, prioritize communication and naturalness — grammar errors that don't block meaning are downplayed. Goal: build the learner's confidence to produce target-language output without over-analyzing.

When to Use

Trigger this skill only when the learner types /speaking. The skill is gated with disable-model-invocation: true — 15-20 min interactive session with DB writes should never start from an ambiguous prompt.

Skip this skill below A1 mastery 2 — the learner needs a basic word bank and verb conjugations first (run /vocab a few times).

Instructions

1. Load context

python3 .claude/hooks/read-db.py

Need: learner-profile (level, target language), mastery-db.skills_mastery.speaking.

2. Opening

# 🗣️ {target_language} Speaking Practice

Hallo {name}!

Today we're practicing **speaking** through typed conversation. I'll ask you questions or give scenarios, you respond naturally in {target_language} — just like a real conversation.

**Focus:** natural expression, fluency, pronunciation (typed)
**Level:** {CEFR}
**Duration:** 15-20 min

**Tips:**
- Think in {target_language}, not {native_language}
- Don't chase perfect grammar — focus on getting your message across
- Use complete sentences
- Be natural and conversational

**Ready? Let's chat!** 💬

3. Pick topic based on mastery

A2 topics:

1. Personal introductions
2. Daily routine
3. Hobbies and interests
4. Shopping
5. Making appointments
6. Asking for directions
7. Ordering food
8. Talking about weather
9. Weekend plans
10. Work / study

B1+: opinions, comparisons, hypotheticals, complaints, narratives.

4. One question at a time

## Question {N}: {Topic}

{Question in target language}

**Type your answer in {target_language}:**

Build the conversation naturally — after 3-4 Qs on one topic, transition: Interessant! Let's talk about something else....

5. Evaluate

Check in this order:

1. Communication (most important, 0-5 points): was the message clear? Did it answer the question?
2. Grammar (0-3 points): verb conjugation, word order, articles. Note but don't belabor.
3. Vocabulary (0-2 points): appropriate word choice, no English mixing.

Feedback template (variant of feedback-formatter):

{✅ or 🟡} {one-line encouragement}

**What you said:**
"{their_answer}"

**Communication:** {Clear / Mostly clear / Unclear} ✅

**Grammar notes:** (secondary — don't over-focus)
- {major error → correction, only if communication-blocking}

**Natural alternative:**
You could also say: "{more_natural_phrasing}"

**Score: {X}/10**
- Communication: {Y}/5
- Grammar: {Z}/3
- Vocabulary: {W}/2

{encouragement}

---

6. Role-play (advanced)

For B1+ or when the learner is warmed up:

## 🎭 Role-Play

**Scenario:** {description in native language}
**Your role:** {what the learner plays}
**I'll be:** {what Claude plays}

Ready? I'll start...

---

{first line in target language}

**Your turn:**

7. Session summary

## 🎉 Speaking Session Complete!

**Duration:** {X} min
**Questions Answered:** {N}
**Topics Covered:** {list}

### Communication Scores
**Overall:** {percent}%
- Clear messages: {count}
- Natural expression: {rating}/5
- Confidence: Growing! 💪

### Vocabulary Used Well
- {words}

### For Next Time
- Try using: {new phrase}
- Practice: {weak area}

**{target-language well done}!** 🌟

8. Update all databases

Use the db-updater skill:

• command_used: "/speaking", skills_practiced: ["speaking"]
• skill_scores.speaking: {exercises: N, correct: count_of_clear_answers, time_minutes}
• errors[] — only communication-blocking ones (don't flood mistakes-db with minor speaking slips)
• focus_next_session[] — one topic + one pattern

Save exchange to /results/speaking-session-{NNN}.md.

Examples

Example 1 — personal intro (Dutch A2)

Question 1: Introductions

Vertel me over jezelf. Waar kom je vandaan? (Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?)

Learner: "Ik ben Mohammad. Ik kom van Iran maar ik woon nu in Nederland."

✅ Clear and natural!

What you said: "Ik ben Mohammad. Ik kom van Iran maar ik woon nu in Nederland."

Communication: Clear ✅

Grammar notes:

• 🟢 "van Iran" → "uit Iran" (prepositions — origin uses uit, not van). Small slip; message still crystal clear.

Natural alternative: "Ik kom uit Iran, maar ik woon al een paar jaar in Nederland."

Score: 9/10

• Communication: 5/5
• Grammar: 2/3
• Vocabulary: 2/2

Great start — you packed two ideas into one sentence, which is exactly what fluency looks like.

Example 2 — role-play opener (café scenario)

🎭 Role-Play

Scenario: You're at a café in Amsterdam. You want coffee and a vegetarian option for lunch. Your role: Customer I'll be: The server

---

"Goedemiddag! Wat wilt u drinken?"

Your turn:

Critical Rules

• Communication first. A clear message with a missed article scores better than a grammatically perfect but confusing answer.
• One question at a time. Wait for reply before next.
• Stay in the target language for questions and transitions. Drop to native only for explanations.
• Praise natural expression. If the learner uses "Nou..." or "Eh..." correctly, call it out — those are fluency markers.
• Don't over-correct. A speaking session with 20 red marks kills confidence.
• Never auto-invoke. Gated; must fire only on explicit /speaking.

Language Reference

Dutch A2 conversational fillers

• "Nou..." (well / so)
• "Eh..." (uh / um)
• "Eigenlijk..." (actually)
• "Dus..." (so / therefore)
• "Ja, dat klopt" (yes, that's right)
• "Ik snap het niet" (I don't understand)

Add equivalents for other target languages as needed.