As an English learner, the most important thing is the actual learning content. ELSA has a huge library of lessons, which is frequently updated. In addition to the core lessons, specialized content is also available within the app. Today, let’s take a deeper look at the lessons and topics.

1. Test preparation courses

ELSA’s test preparation courses are specifically designed to help users with the speaking sections of major English language exams. This is a core focus of the app, which uses its AI technology to provide detailed, instant feedback on spoken English. Let’s take a closer look at what ELSA offers its users.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): ELSA provides courses to help you practice for the IELTS Speaking test. This includes lessons on common topics, practice with different question types, and a focus on improving your fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary to meet the IELTS scoring criteria. You can choose from a variety of courses, including ones created by the ELSA team and others developed in collaboration with the HarperCollins team.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): In collaboration with the HarperCollins team, ELSA offers practice for the speaking section of the TOEFL. This involves real-time analysis of your speech, enabling you to focus on your intonation, rhythm, and clear pronunciation—all of which are essential for achieving a high score. The app provides targeted practice for TOEFL-specific tasks, such as responding to questions or summarizing content.
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication): ELSA’s courses for TOEIC are designed to enhance the speaking skills required for this business-focused exam. The lessons help you with pronunciation and intonation for everyday and professional communication, which are assessed in the TOEIC Speaking test. This is also another series that the ELSA team collaborated with HarperCollins on and presented to our users.
• EIKEN: This Japanese-English proficiency test also includes a speaking component. ELSA offers preparation courses specifically designed for the EIKEN exam, enabling users to practice and build confidence in their spoken English. It is perfect for users in grades three and pre-2.
• Pearson PTE (Pearson Test of English): For the PTE Academic and PTE Core, ELSA provides practice for speaking tasks, including “Read Aloud,” “Repeat Sentence,” and “Describe Image.” The app’s AI can analyze your performance on these tasks and provide a predicted score, making your practice more efficient and targeted.
• OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview – Computer): The OPIc test is a popular English-speaking exam used in many industries and academic fields, as it evaluates a person’s ability to communicate in real-life situations. The ELSA course is designed to mirror the actual test, familiarizing you with the format, including the background survey, self-assessment, and question types. Lessons focus on the key skills that OPIc raters assess: fluency, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to answer questions spontaneously.

In essence, for each of these exams, ELSA goes beyond generic English practice. It offers a specialized curriculum with practice questions and scenarios that mirror the actual test format, all while leveraging its unique AI to provide personalized feedback similar to that of a human tutor, but with the convenience of an app.

2. Industrial-specialized courses

ELSA Speak offers specialized courses that leverage content from well-known educational publishers and organizations. Here’s more information on the courses that may interest you.

• Oxford Business Result Series: This series of business English courses is designed to help professionals develop the communication skills they need for the workplace. It’s a collaboration between ELSA Speak and Oxford University Press. The course content is drawn from the “Business Result Second Edition” textbook series. The lessons focus on real-world business scenarios, including job interviews, presentations, meetings, and negotiations.
• Oxford for Aviation: This course is specifically designed for professionals in the aviation industry, such as cabin crew, pilots, and air traffic controllers. It’s meant to help them meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The course covers specialized vocabulary and communication protocols used in aviation. Lessons are structured around the sequence of a flight, from pre-flight checks and ground movements to take-off, cruising, and landing. The curriculum is designed to enhance the six skill areas specified by ICAO: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and interaction. The course includes listening exercises, role-plays, and realistic conversations to help users practice their skills in a simulated environment.
• The US Citizenship Course: The course on ELSA Speak is designed to help immigrants and aspiring citizens prepare for the naturalization interview. The focus is on the oral portion of the test, which includes a civics test and an English speaking and reading test. The course covers the 100 civics questions on the test, helping users practice their answers out loud with correct pronunciation. It teaches the necessary vocabulary and grammatical structures required to understand and answer the questions asked by the USCIS officers.

Ultimately, ELSA goes beyond simply offering a large quantity of lessons. By providing a curated selection of courses for test-takers and professionals, the app ensures that your practice is always relevant and effective. With its AI-powered feedback, ELSA provides a level of personalization that makes it a powerful tool for anyone serious about mastering spoken English, whether for an exam, a new career, or personal growth.

Quynh Vo