Launchpad 2017
Joon Beh

Joon Beh

Founder and CEO

Primary Audience: Government/Adult Ed., Graduate, Undergrad, Community College, High School, Translators

Hallo is powered by advanced language models for learning 50+ languages through actual conversations with AI teachers. Hallo is designed by language experts to provide a scientifically proven method to improve speaking and listening skills by practicing anytime, anywhere. By focusing on conversation-based interactions, learners can overcome their fear of speaking and advance in their career opportunities. This app can also track learners’ progress and give feedback based on learners’ fluency and work.

LaunchPad Questions

During the LaunchPad, the audience had an opportunity to ask questions about the products. The Tech Center shared those questions with the entrepreneurs and here are the responses. 

How do you know the content generated by AI is accurate?

We review our content, including lessons and role plays, with language experts and are continuously improving it. Our plan is to invest more time and resources into enhancing our content in the near future.

Could you describe the assessment a little more? Is it automatically scored? How does it determine proficiency? Which skills does the test incorporate?

Our AI-powered language proficiency assessments evaluate speaking skills, including fluency, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and coherence. They align with globally recognized standards such as CEFR and ACTFL, offering detailed insights into proficiency levels across key criteria.

What kind of feedback does the app give? Is it usually grammar correction? Or does it help improve pronunciation and pragmatic use of language?

Our app provides feedback in three ways:
1. Real-time corrections during conversations.
2. Post-conversation transcripts with detailed feedback.
3. Monthly comprehensive language assessments for official feedback.

What about the excitement and motivation coming from (emotionally) connecting with a real person?

While emotional connection with AI tutors is challenging, we plan to introduce video avatars(face-to-face) and personalization to make conversations more human-like and engaging.

Is this intended to be used WITH language classes or INSTEAD OF classes?

Our goal is to enhance language learning by providing more speaking opportunities and real-time feedback. We aim to support both beginners and advanced learners, whether used alongside traditional classes or independently.

If a user creates a virtual Taylor Swift to interact with on your platform, does that open you up to liability?

Our avatars are user-generated, placing liability on the users. However, we are transitioning to our own content and avatars to better manage and control this aspect.

How is Hallo different from existing apps?

Hallo stands out by:
1. Offering practice in 50+ languages anytime, anywhere.
2. Providing real-time AI language assessment and feedback.
3. Supplying B2B tools for organizations to support teachers and students globally.

How does the Hallo AI learn? What sort of texts is it drawing from? How will you ensure that Hallo's AI doesn't enforce the biases from online text corpora?

Our AI is based on a third-party LLM, with training focused specifically on language learning to ensure curated and targeted content.

Do you have to do the lessons in a certain order or can you choose the topic?

Lessons are organized sequentially, but users can choose topics as needed.

How have you measured retention if you claim that it helps language retention?

We track student progress through language assessments and practice time, visually represented on our dashboard to monitor engagement and retention.

Why assess only once per month?

Significant language progress takes time. We encourage assessments every three months, with monthly options for more frequent feedback and integration into lesson plans.

Do you have a sense of how long a person's motivation to use the app lasts, and after how long they start losing it?

Currently, user engagement lasts about 3-6 months. We aim to increase this through personalization and network effects.

What are the lessons based on? (How did you decide lesson topics/content?)

Lessons are based on proficiency levels, and we continually refine topics to ensure they are appropriate and engaging.

Are these conversations initiated by both the avatar tutor and the learner or just the learner?

Conversations can be initiated by both. AI leads for beginners, while a balanced approach is used for intermediate and advanced learners to provide a challenge.

Can kids use Hallo? Is content controlled?

Absolutely. We have thoroughly tested the platform to ensure inappropriate content is not accessible to learners.

Does your AI provide in-conversation feedback such as recasting as well as end feedback?

Yes, our AI provides real-time feedback and comprehensive post-conversation feedback.

How do you ensure that no likenesses to real people are generated (for legal purposes)?

Our avatars are user-generated, placing liability on users. We plan to transition to our own content to better manage this aspect.

Could I customize speaking scenarios based on my organization’s needs?

Yes, you can customize speaking scenarios based on your organization’s needs.

How have the AI been trained? Do they feed from other larger AIs?

Our AI is based on a third-party LLM and trained specifically for language learning on top of it with additional tools.

How are the proficiency levels pegged? With ACTFL levels? CEFR?

Our assessments align with ACTFL and CEFR standards, ranging from novice to superior levels, providing comprehensive proficiency insights

How can you sustain the “fun” and engagement and keep them coming back to the app after the initial novelty of “talking to Taylor Swift”?

Personalization and network effects, as outlined in our product roadmap, will help sustain engagement and make learning more enjoyable.

Duolingo has DET test. So how is your self-assessment unique or even valid? Most of the language tests out there lack validity and reliability and research.

Hallo’s AI-driven assessments eliminate human error and bias, offering high accuracy. Our assessments align with CEFR and ACTFL standards, ensuring validity and reliability. Here’s a comparison with Duolingo:

Duolingo:
– Languages: English only.
– Skills: Primarily speaking proficiency in English.
– Duration: 1 hour.
– Results: Available within 2 days.
– Price: $59 per test.
– API: Not available.
– Pros: Widely accepted, strong partnerships, beautiful UX/UI.
– Cons: English only, pricey, long test duration, no APIs.

Hallo:
– Languages: 56 languages, including English, Spanish, German, Chinese, and more.
– Skills: Speaking and writing, with plans for reading and listening in 2024.
– Duration: 10 minutes, instant results.
– Price: Approximately 4% of standard exam fees.
– API: Available, with white-labeling options.
– Pros: Many languages, affordable, short test duration, B2B partnerships.
– Cons: Speaking and writing only at the moment.

How did you achieve so many partnerships with organizations? (Maybe best addressed offline)

B2B partnerships have been our main focus, and we’ve developed tools and products tailored to our clients’ needs, aiding in building these relationships.

Can teachers create a classroom and invite students to the same platform for speaking practice?

Currently, for safety and security, we don’t allow student interactions, but we are open to enabling this feature in the future.

For languages with standard and dialects, how does Hallo work?

Our AI handles dialects effectively. We encourage you to try it out on Hallo!

How is it different from ChatGPT?

Our students choose Hallo over ChatGPT for its convenience and specialized focus on language learning. Think of it like dining out versus cooking at home.
Here’s how Hallo stands out:
1) Structured Lessons: We offer curated lessons and scenarios, ensuring meaningful learning instead of random conversations.
2) Level-Appropriate Content: Our AI adapts to your proficiency level, providing unique and tailored conversations and lessons.
3) Real-Time Tools: Hallo includes translations, suggestions, and corrections in real-time.
4) Comprehensive Feedback: We offer real-time mistake corrections, detailed feedback post-conversation, and comprehensive language assessments aligned with CEFR and ACTFL.
5) B2B Tools: Our platform provides organizations with tools to manage and monitor student progress effectively.
These features make Hallo a comprehensive and practical choice for language learners and educators.

How are the pragmatics of the language addressed?

Our AI tutors address pragmatics by:
1. Simulating real-life scenarios.
2. Providing immediate corrections.
3. Incorporating cultural norms.
4. Adapting lessons to individual progress.
5. Engaging in role-playing.
6. Offering 24/7 practice.
7. Using data to refine teaching methods.

What exactly does Hallo bring to the B2B partnerships? Are they providing AI or something like the actual structure of the platform?

We provide a dashboard for tracking student progress, speaking tools, and language assessments for placement and progress tracking, all tailored to organizational needs.

Contact Information

TECH CENTER

1890 East West Road

Moore Hall 256

Honolulu, HI 96822

tech.center@hawaii.edu

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The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center is funded under a grant from the Institute of International Education (IIE), acting as the administrative agent of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) for The Language Flagship. One should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project P.I.: Dr. Julio C. Rodriguez