🧠 Boost Student Engagement in Class with Mizou: The AI Chatbot That Speaks Their Language

Are you looking for a fun, low-prep way to get your students speaking more confidently? Let me introduce you to Mizou, an AI-powered chatbot designed specifically for language learners. I've been using it with my own students, and the results have been impressive—more engagement, more practice, and more confidence.

Using Mizou

What is Mizou?

Mizou is a friendly AI chatbot built for practicing conversations. Think of it as a virtual speaking partner—always available, never judgmental, and totally customizable. Students can chat with Mizou in a web browser, get immediate feedback, and practice speaking or writing in a real-world context. It’s perfect for intermediate learners and even adaptable for beginners.

You can find it at https://mizou.com/

💬 How Does Mizou Help in the Classroom?

Here are just a few reasons I love using Mizou:

• 24/7 speaking practice – Students can log in from anywhere and practice their French on their own schedule.

• Themed prompts – You can choose from dozens of conversation topics, or input your own to align with your unit or IPA.

• No stress – Shy or struggling students often thrive with Mizou because it removes the fear of embarrassment.

• Grammar support – Mizou offers gentle corrections and suggestions, so students learn as they go.

• Great for IPAs – I’ve used Mizou in the interpersonal portion of my Integrated Performance Assessments as a warm-up tool or as part of an asynchronous activity.

🛠 Tips for Using Mizou in Class

• Assign Mizou as homework: Ask students to complete a short chat session and then write a summary of what they discussed.

• Use it during stations: Set up a Mizou station for 10-minute speaking practice rotations.

• Pair it with a Venn diagram: Have students chat with Mizou, then compare their responses with a classmate.

• Customize a scenario: Preparing for a unit on “house and chores”? Prompt Mizou with "Imagine you're a French teen describing your house and daily tasks."

👩‍🏫 Want Help Setting It Up?

Starting in August 2025, I’ll be offering 1:1 online coaching for teachers who want to integrate Mizou into their language classes. During these sessions, I’ll guide you through setting up prompts, aligning them with your curriculum or IPAs, and gathering meaningful student work. I’ll also offer customized practice scenarios tailored to your specific unit themes or student levels. Stay tuned for more details! (Or, email me! Onlineteachercoach@gmail.com

Have a wonderful week!