Speakable

Speakable revolutionizes language education through AI-driven tools that empower teachers with sophisticated assessment and activity creation capabilities. Our platform seamlessly integrates with major learning management systems, automatically grades diverse student responses, and supports multiple languages aligned with WIDA and ACTFL standards. Through detailed features like teacher account management, roster synchronization, and grade passback functionality, Speakable demonstrates how technology can transform modern language instruction while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security.

Overview and Features

Speakable's AI Builder feature enables educators to create customized language activities by uploading documents or providing prompts to their AI assistant, Chatty. This tool supports activity creation for all major K-12 language programs and integrates with popular learning management systems like Google Classroom, Clever, and Canvas for seamless roster management and grade passback functionality.

The platform automatically grades a variety of student responses, including multiple-choice questions, free-response essays, and repeated word or phrase exercises. These assessments use sophisticated AI technology to evaluate both the content and structure of students' work, providing teachers with detailed insights into their progress. The free Teacher Plan allows up to 150 active students and supports the creation and management of four different student actions types.

In addition to its core grading capabilities, Speakable integrates several innovative tools. These include instant feedback summaries, speech recognition technology, and text-to-speech functionality that enhances both speaking and listening exercises. The platform also supports multiple language options, with built-in AI analysis capabilities based on WIDA and ACTFL proficiency standards.

Teachers can further customize their classroom experience through Speakable's Spaces feature, which allows them to create collaborative folders for sharing and editing activities. The platform's global library enables educators to access and adapt materials created by their peers across the world, promoting a rich exchange of teaching resources and best practices.

Usage and Implementation

Speakable offers several methods for educators to add students to their sections, with different options depending on their existing Learning Management System (LMS) setup. For schools using Google Classroom or Clever, educators can import student rosters directly into Speakable. This process requires creating a Speakable account using the same Single Sign-On (SSO) as the LMS (Google Classroom or Clever). The recommended approach is to use Google Classroom for grade passback functionality. To import students, teachers click 'Add Section', select the appropriate LMS option, sign into their respective account, and select the sections they wish to import. Speakable automatically creates sections based on the imported data.

An alternative method involves creating "link" sections, which allows educators to generate a joinable course link for students. To create this type of section, teachers select 'Create' and 'Join Link' from the dashboard. They need to specify the target language and native language of their students, with the option to select multiple native languages (though the most common should be identified). Before creating assignment links, educators must share the generated course link with their students.

Both of these student addition methods can be managed through the settings page. The platform supports multiple LMS integrations, including Google Classroom, Clever, Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Schoology. These integrations provide several key benefits:

Roster Synchronization: This feature enables easy student onboarding and management.

Grade Passback: Automates the process of updating grades in the LMS, saving teachers substantial time.

SSO (Single Sign-On): Provides secure and convenient access management for both teachers and students.

Speakable offers three subscription plans catered to different user needs:

Teacher Free Plan: Allows up to 150 active students and provides basic features including all four student action types, media addition capabilities, and AI Builder functionality (limited to 12 messages per day).

Teacher Pro Plan: Includes all features of the basic plan plus instant feedback summaries and pass/fail auto-grading. It costs $180 per year.

Schools & Districts Custom Plan: Offers the full suite of Teacher Pro features plus advanced tools like unlimited AI Builder usage, proficiency level estimation, administrator dashboard access, and invoice billing options.

Educators seeking to try the platform before committing can participate in Speakable's Free Pilot Program. This initiative provides schools and districts with free access to advanced language learning tools, including AI-powered auto-grading, instant feedback capabilities, speech recognition technology, activity building features, proficiency tracking tools, and enhanced collaborative spaces. The program demonstrates the platform's ability to save time on grading while providing detailed student performance data.

Technical Infrastructure

Speakable collects information through both direct user input and automatic data collection technologies. When creating an account, users must provide their name, username, and email address. For students in schools, they must enter a class code provided by their teacher to link their account to their classroom and school. Teachers provide information about their school to verify their identity during the account setup process.

The platform uses various technical data collection methods to monitor user interactions and technical performance. This information is used for estimating audience size, monitoring site performance, resolving technical issues, storing user preferences, customizing the website, and recognizing returning users. All data collected through these methods is kept in a statistical format that does not include personal information.

User information is stored securely using industry-standard encryption methods. Payment information, when collected, is transmitted using HTTPS encryption and processed through Stripe, a third-party payment provider. The company takes reasonable measures to protect user information from accidental loss and unauthorized access. Personal information is deleted from active databases four years after the last login, with retention periods extended for school term purposes.

For parental or guardian permission, the company complies with the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA). They only collect personal information from children under 13 with parental consent, obtained through their school, district, or teacher. If the company learns they have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent or obtained it through unauthorized means, they will delete that information as quickly as possible. Users under 13 must obtain parental consent to use the service and disclose personal information to Speakable.

Account management is straightforward, with users able to deactivate their account or request deletion of their information through the Account Settings page. When requested, Speakable securely deletes user information using appropriate protective measures and retains archived copies only as required by law or for business purposes. School administrators or teachers can manage student accounts through the platform's built-in tools, allowing for easy access to personal information while maintaining privacy standards.

Privacy and Security

Speakable collects information through both direct user input and automatic data collection technologies. When creating an account, users must provide their name, username, and email address. For students in schools, they must enter a class code provided by their teacher to link their account to their classroom and school. Teachers provide information about their school to verify their identity during the account setup process.

The platform uses various technical data collection methods to monitor user interactions and technical performance. This information is used for estimating audience size, monitoring site performance, resolving technical issues, storing user preferences, customizing the website, and recognizing returning users. All data collected through these methods is kept in a statistical format that does not include personal information.

User Rights and Deletion

Users have the right to deactivate their account or request deletion of their information through the Account Settings page. When requested, Speakable securely deletes user information using appropriate protective measures and retains archived copies only as required by law or for business purposes. School administrators or teachers can manage student accounts through the platform's built-in tools, allowing for easy access to personal information while maintaining privacy standards.

Data Security

Payment information, when collected, is transmitted using HTTPS encryption and processed through Stripe, a third-party payment provider. The company takes reasonable measures to protect user information from accidental loss and unauthorized access. Personal information is deleted from active databases four years after the last login, with retention periods extended for school term purposes.

Children's Privacy

Speakable complies with the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA). They only collect personal information from children under 13 with parental consent, obtained through their school, district, or teacher. If the company learns they have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent or obtained it through unauthorized means, they will delete that information as quickly as possible. Users under 13 must obtain parental consent to use the service and disclose personal information to Speakable.

Pricing and Plans

Speakable offers three subscription plans tailored to different user needs:

• The Basic Plan costs $96 per year and supports up to 10 users. It includes all essential features required for basic language instruction, making it suitable for small teams or individual teachers.

• The Business Plan at $192 per year builds on the basic features with enhanced reporting capabilities and improved automation workflows, designed to support larger teams and more complex organizational structures.

• The Enterprise Plan priced at $384 per year provides personalized service and enhanced security features specifically engineered for large teams or institutional clients. This tier includes additional security protocols and support structures to meet the needs of enterprise-level users.

The company accepts purchase orders for Teacher Pro and organization plans while maintaining full compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and COPPA regulations. They collect student personal information only after obtaining school, district, or teacher consent and support schools' SOPPA requirements. Custom data privacy agreements can be reviewed or added to state-specific information through dataprivacy@speakableapp.com.

Schools and districts have the opportunity to request a free pilot program to evaluate Speakable's features before committing to a purchase. This initiative allows educators to experience advanced language learning tools such as AI-powered auto-grading, instant feedback mechanisms, speech recognition technology, activity building features, proficiency tracking tools, and enhanced collaborative spaces. The free pilot demonstrates the platform's effectiveness in saving time on grading while providing detailed student performance data.