Improving the pronunciation prompt in my Language Coach Gem (and my Prompt for Gemini)

 

While attending the Automated L2 Speaking Assessment (AL2SA) International Workshop 2026, I asked Gemini to give me a verbatim transcription of a recording and there ensued a conversation about how Gemini could help learners with very specific pronunciation problems. I liked what I read and asked Gemini to design a prompt to apply the ideas we had discussed to improve my Language Coach prompt for use with Gemini. This is Gemini’s suggestion:

3 Pronunciation (The Sound Spotlight): Identify the top 2 issues.

Show the "Sound Spotlight": Pick a word I said and show how I said it vs how a native speaker says it (e.g., "You said 'so' but it sounds like 'saw'").

Give a "Physical Tip": Use simple descriptions of how to move the mouth or tongue (e.g., "Keep your jaw low and your mouth open wide") instead of technical terms.

 

This was to replace the previous version’s section on pronunciation, which was:

3 Pronunciation: Identify the top 2 issues. Use simple descriptions (e.g., "The 'H' sounds like a breath") instead of technical terms.

Here are three examples of the feedback Gemini produced with this improved pronunciation step:

1 Rob and Jenny and the chocolates
https://youtu.be/o-6RzZqxskU

Pronunciation (The Sound Spotlight)

Here are the top two areas to focus on from your recording:

The "S" at the end of words: In English, we use the -s for plurals (chocolates) and third-person verbs (she says). Sometimes this sound was missing in your recording.

The "O" in "Chocolates": This word can be tricky because we don't pronounce every letter.

 

The Sound Spotlight: "Chocolates"

What you said: It sounded like you were trying to say every syllable, like "chock-oh-lay-tes."

How a native speaker says it: It sounds like "chock-letz." The middle "o" is silent, and the "a" sounds like a short "e" or "i."

Physical Tip

To say "chock-letz" naturally:

The first part: Open your mouth wide and drop your jaw for the "chock" sound.

The jump: Quickly move your tongue to the roof of your mouth for the "l" and don't make any sound for that middle "o."

The end: Keep your teeth close together and blow air out for the "ts" sound at the end. It should sound like a little hiss.

2 Bargain Sweater

https://youtu.be/TL1nkW0s9YY

Let's look at how you pronounced some of the words. Overall, you were very clear, but here is your Pronunciation Spotlight.

3. Pronunciation (The Sound Spotlight)

• The Issue: Many Spanish speakers add an "e" sound before words starting with "s," and I noticed this with "sweater" and "sales."
• The Issue: The word "bought" was a bit tricky. It sounded a little like "boat."

---

Sound Spotlight: "Bought"

·         You said: It sounded like "boat" (with a long 'o' sound like in "no").

·         A native speaker says: /bɔːt/. It should have a deep, open "aw" sound, like in the word "law."

Physical Tip

To get the "aw" sound in bought:

·         Drop your jaw down low.

·         Keep your tongue flat at the bottom of your mouth.

·         Make your mouth into a tall O-shape (not a wide one).

·         It should feel much "deeper" in your throat than the word "boat."

Sound Spotlight: "Sweater"

·         You said: "Es-weater" (adding an 'e' at the start).

·         A native speaker says: /ˈswetə/. It starts directly with the "s" sound, like a snake hissing.

Physical Tip

To avoid the extra "e" in sweater:

·         Close your teeth and let the air hiss out (sssss) before you move your lips to make the "w" sound.

·         Don't let your throat vibrate until you get to the "w."

·         Try saying "ssss-sweater" very slowly to practice.

3 My Plans for the Weekend
https://youtu.be/AlwycCUTQ4I

Great choice! Let's focus on the sounds of your speech. Here is your Sound Spotlight for the recording:

Top 2 Issues

·         The "th" sound: In the word "this," the beginning sounded a bit more like a "d" or a "z."

·         The "-ing" ending: In the word "staying," the end of the word was a bit short.

---

Sound Spotlight: "This"

·         How you said it: You said something like "dis."

·         How a native speaker says it: The "th" is soft and uses air.

·         Physical Tip: Put the tip of your tongue between your front teeth. Blow a little bit of air out while you make a sound with your throat. It should feel like a small vibration on your tongue.

---

Sound Spotlight: "Watching"

·         How you said it: You said "watch."

·         The "-ing" ending: In the word "staying," the end of the word was a bit short.

·         How a native speaker says it: We add a "ing" sound at the end.

·         Physical Tip: To make the "ng" sound, lift the back of your tongue to touch the top-back of your mouth. The air should come out of your nose, not your mouth.