Conversational Gap-Fill Game for ESL Pragmatics Practice

How it works

1. 1

   The AI generates a short dialogue with a key line removed — the student must deduce what was said

2. 2

   Students read the conversation before and after the gap on their device and type the missing line

3. 3

   AI evaluates pragmatic appropriateness, grammatical accuracy, and contextual fit of the response

4. 4

   The teacher reveals the original and class compares versions — often sparking discussion about register and intent

Frequently asked questions

What types of dialogues are generated?

Dialogues cover a wide range of everyday and professional scenarios — job interviews, customer service calls, academic discussions, social conversations — matched to your chosen topic.

Is there always one correct answer?

No. Pragmatics rarely has a single right answer. The AI evaluates appropriateness and flags responses that are grammatically correct but pragmatically awkward — which often leads to the richest class discussion.

Can I use this for a specific functional language area?

Yes. Set the topic to something like 'making polite requests' or 'handling complaints professionally' and the AI generates dialogues centred on that function.

What technology do students need?

Each student types on their phone or tablet through a browser. No download, app, or student account needed — joining the session takes a single tap on the teacher's link.

What level is this best for?

Dialogue Detective is most effective from B1 upward, where students have enough grammar to focus on pragmatic nuance. Easier settings simplify the dialogue structure for A2 classes.

Is Dialogue Detective free to use?

Yes, Dialogue Detective is free. Teachers create a session and students join through their browser — no app or student account required.

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