Tapping the Strength of GenAI: Scalable, Individualized Feedback for Writing and Pronunciation Tasks

GenAI can help EAL instructors tap into scalability to fill in the gaps when providing individualized feedback, saving hours of typing out every suggestion. Drawing on personal EAP classroom this academic year, the research focus is practical, using GenAI to enhance instructor-guided feedback on writing and speaking tasks to include personalized examples and practice for each learner. The presenter will share tailored prompts focusing on common learner weaknesses in writing structure (e.g., clarity, organization, and word choice) and on suprasegmentals in pronunciation (stress, rhythm, intonation), without overwhelming students or instructors. The goal of the session is to share what worked and what didn’t. Successes included prompts that stayed focused on one skill at a time, feedback delivered in digestible formats, and practice activities that could raise student’s awareness and help to self-identify weaknesses for future tasks. Challenges included trying to do too much for each stage of the assignment and producing feedback that felt too long. The session will link each challenge to a practical adjustment that attendees can adopt immediately. Survey results reporting student reactions and preferences will also be discussed when receiving AI feedback, including hesitation to trust AI feedback and the importance of Instructor guidance. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a set of prompt templates to use for scalable, individualized feedback prompts while, hopefully, avoiding some of the pitfalls.