fluent-speaking - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: fluent-speaking description: Run an interactive typed conversation session simulating spoken practice — free-flowing dialogue, role-plays, and opinion questions prioritizing communication over perfect grammar. Triggered only when the learner types /fluent-speaking. Asks questions one at a time in the target language, evaluates clarity and naturalness first and grammar second, and updates all databases at the end. allowed-tools: Read, Write, Bash disable-model-invocation: true

Speaking Practice (Typed)

Overview

Conversational practice through typed dialogue. Unlike /fluent-writing, prioritize communication and naturalness — grammar errors that don't block meaning are downplayed. Goal: build the learner's confidence to produce target-language output without over-analyzing.

When to Use

Trigger this skill only when the learner types /fluent-speaking. The skill is gated with disable-model-invocation: true — 15-20 min interactive session with DB writes should never start from an ambiguous prompt.

Skip this skill below A1 mastery 2 — the learner needs a basic word bank and verb conjugations first (run /fluent-vocab a few times).

Instructions

1. Load context

python3 "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT:-${CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR:-.}}/.claude/hooks/read-db.py"

Need: learner-profile (level, target language), mastery-db.skills_mastery.speaking.

2. Opening

# 🗣️ {target_language} Speaking Practice

Hallo {name}!

Today we're practicing **speaking** through typed conversation. I'll ask you questions or give scenarios, you respond naturally in {target_language} — just like a real conversation.

**Focus:** natural expression, fluency, pronunciation (typed)
**Level:** {CEFR}
**Duration:** 15-20 min

**Tips:**
- Think in {target_language}, not {native_language}
- Don't chase perfect grammar — focus on getting your message across
- Use complete sentences
- Be natural and conversational

**Ready? Let's chat!** 💬

3. Pick topic based on mastery

A2 topics:

Personal introductions
Daily routine
Hobbies and interests
Shopping
Making appointments
Asking for directions
Ordering food
Talking about weather
Weekend plans
Work / study

B1+: opinions, comparisons, hypotheticals, complaints, narratives.

4. One question at a time

## Question {N}: {Topic}

{Question in target language}

**Type your answer in {target_language}:**

Build the conversation naturally — after 3-4 Qs on one topic, transition: Interessant! Let's talk about something else....

5. Evaluate

Check in this order:

Communication (most important, 0-5 points): was the message clear? Did it answer the question?
Grammar (0-3 points): verb conjugation, word order, articles. Note but don't belabor.
Vocabulary (0-2 points): appropriate word choice, no English mixing.

Feedback template (variant of fluent-feedback-formatter):

{✅ or 🟡} {one-line encouragement}

**What you said:**
"{their_answer}"

**Communication:** {Clear / Mostly clear / Unclear} ✅

**Grammar notes:** (secondary — don't over-focus)
- {major error → correction, only if communication-blocking}

**Natural alternative:**
You could also say: "{more_natural_phrasing}"

**Score: {X}/10**
- Communication: {Y}/5
- Grammar: {Z}/3
- Vocabulary: {W}/2

{encouragement}

---

6. Role-play (advanced)

For B1+ or when the learner is warmed up:

## 🎭 Role-Play

**Scenario:** {description in native language}
**Your role:** {what the learner plays}
**I'll be:** {what Claude plays}

Ready? I'll start...

---

{first line in target language}

**Your turn:**

7. Session summary

## 🎉 Speaking Session Complete!

**Duration:** {X} min
**Questions Answered:** {N}
**Topics Covered:** {list}

### Communication Scores
**Overall:** {percent}%
- Clear messages: {count}
- Natural expression: {rating}/5
- Confidence: Growing! 💪

### Vocabulary Used Well
- {words}

### For Next Time
- Try using: {new phrase}
- Practice: {weak area}

**{target-language well done}!** 🌟

8. Update all databases

Use the fluent-db-updater skill:

command_used: "/fluent-speaking", skills_practiced: ["speaking"]
skill_scores.speaking: {exercises: N, correct: count_of_clear_answers, time_minutes}
errors[] — only communication-blocking ones (don't flood mistakes-db with minor speaking slips)
focus_next_session[] — one topic + one pattern

Save exchange to /results/fluent-speaking-session-{NNN}.md.

Examples

Example 1 — personal intro (Dutch A2)

Question 1: Introductions

Vertel me over jezelf. Waar kom je vandaan? (Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?)

Learner: "Ik ben Mohammad. Ik kom van Iran maar ik woon nu in Nederland."

✅ Clear and natural!

What you said: "Ik ben Mohammad. Ik kom van Iran maar ik woon nu in Nederland."

Communication: Clear ✅

Grammar notes:

🟢 "van Iran" → "uit Iran" (prepositions — origin uses uit, not van). Small slip; message still crystal clear.

Natural alternative: "Ik kom uit Iran, maar ik woon al een paar jaar in Nederland."

Score: 9/10

Communication: 5/5

Grammar: 2/3

Vocabulary: 2/2

Great start — you packed two ideas into one sentence, which is exactly what fluency looks like.

Example 2 — role-play opener (café scenario)

🎭 Role-Play

Scenario: You're at a café in Amsterdam. You want coffee and a vegetarian option for lunch. Your role: Customer I'll be: The server

"Goedemiddag! Wat wilt u drinken?"

Your turn:

Critical Rules

Communication first. A clear message with a missed article scores better than a grammatically perfect but confusing answer.
One question at a time. Wait for reply before next.
Stay in the target language for questions and transitions. Drop to native only for explanations.
Praise natural expression. If the learner uses "Nou..." or "Eh..." correctly, call it out — those are fluency markers.
Don't over-correct. A speaking session with 20 red marks kills confidence.
Never auto-invoke. Gated; must fire only on explicit /fluent-speaking.

Language Reference

Dutch A2 conversational fillers

"Nou..." (well / so)
"Eh..." (uh / um)
"Eigenlijk..." (actually)
"Dus..." (so / therefore)
"Ja, dat klopt" (yes, that's right)
"Ik snap het niet" (I don't understand)

Add equivalents for other target languages as needed.