Developed by: Raúl Getino Diez & Mikel García Madariaga; Contributors to Knowledge Base Development: Cristina García Sánchez; Di Cao ; Weixuan Dai; Han Li; & Alejandro Castellano; Spanish Division, Modern Language Centre, School of Languages, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.
Target area
Written interaction
Target Skills
Written conversation, vocabulary building, and grammar development
Target Language Level:
Spanish, from absolute beginner (SPA001) to A1+ level (SPA003)
XiSPA is an AI-powered conversation partner for Spanish beginners, providing written interactive conversations aligned with SPA001, SPA002, and SPA003 progression.
Unlike general large language models and other AI tools that may exceed course content or students’ levels, XiSPA is tailored to the XJTLU Spanish curriculum (SPA001, SPA002, and SPA003). Its customized knowledge base is continuously updated throughout the semester to match students’ progress, ensuring conversations remain relevant and at the right level to boost confidence and engagement.
Overall, XiSPA excels at delivering interactive written conversations appropriate to students’ levels, making it an excellent complement to classroom teaching at XJTLU.
Key features:
Key features are the following:
- Engages learners in simple, text-based conversations aligned with course progression, reinforcing newly introduced vocabulary and grammar in context. It provides meaningful input and conversational practice in a low-pressure environment, bridging classroom instruction and real-world language use through tailored, low-risk interaction.
- Can be used by students for 24/7 support, and by instructors as a tool to design targeted learning tasks for specific purposes, both inside and outside the classroom. Integrating XiSPA into weekly homework or classroom activities helps students maintain consistent practice and build confidence in basic Spanish interactions.
Suggestion for users
A primary challenge is preventing monotony, as XiSPA may repeat certain questions and conversation patterns, which can lead students to lose interest. Regular updates to the knowledge base help keep dialogues engaging and relevant.
Students should also be encouraged to review their interactions with AI-migo (XIPU AI’s Spanish Tutor) to receive tailored feedback, as XiSPA does not provide corrections on language production. An additional strategy involves asking students to screenshot several interactions on a specific theme and discuss them in pairs or small groups during class. These activities foster collaborative reflection and ensure that students use the tools effectively.
From an ethical standpoint, students should be reminded to avoid sharing personal or sensitive data.