UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon through International Office Hosts International Workshop on AI-Driven Speaking Innovation and Teacher Collaboration in Indonesia, in Collaboration with Flowspeak
Cirebon, April 29, 2025 —UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC), through its International Office (IO), continues to lead innovation in global education by promoting technology-driven solutions in language learning. In its latest initiative, the IO organized an international workshop featuring Matthew S. Sussman, an English language educator from the United States, who introduced Flow Speak, an AI-powered speaking application designed to help students improve their English speaking skills independently while maintaining strong teacher involvement. This event marked another milestone in the IO’s commitment to integrating international expertise with local educational practices.
The workshop was attended by several notable guests, including, Dr. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si. (Vice Rector 1), Prof. Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag. (Vice Rector 2), Prof. Dr. H. Hajam, M.Ag. (Vice Rector 3), Ivan Chabibilah, S.S., M.Li. (ICCCM), Dra. Hj. Amroh Umaemah, M.Pd. (Head of English Education Department), Hendi Hidayat, M.Pd. (Secretary of the English Education Department), Dr. Nana Priajana, M.Pd., and Nizar Ibnus, M.Pd. (Lecturers of English Education), as well as guest lecturers and teachers from Universitas Kuningan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Cirebon, SMPN 1 Klangenan, SMPN 2 Mundu, SMP NU Darul Maarif, SMAN 1 Lebakwangi, and MA Unggulan Amanatul Ummah 02. Their presence enriched the discussion on integrating technology into pedagogy and strengthened cross-level and regional educational collaboration networks.
Matthew began his presentation with a reflective question: “What is AI speaking technology?” He emphasized that AI is merely a tool, and how it is used depends on educators as the main decision-makers in the teaching and learning process. According to Matthew, one of the major challenges in teaching speaking skills is the difficulty of providing comprehensive feedback due to time constraints and the personal nature of speaking itself. In fact, 80% of students still feel shy and lack confidence when speaking in English.
In this context, Flow Speak is introduced as a solution. The application offers:
- Flexible speaking practice, anytime and anywhere
- Instant, performance-based feedback
- A teacher dashboard to monitor students’ progress
- A stress-free and shame-free learning environment
Matthew clarified that Flow Speak is not a replacement for teachers, but a partner. The combination of classroom learning, teacher involvement, and AI support is the best formula to help students speak more confidently.
“This application also includes features like a ranking board to motivate students and offers a more affordable alternative to formal tests like TOEFL or IELTS,” Matthew explained. He added that such technology is highly relevant for today’s generation, who are already familiar with apps and social media, but often lack enough space to practice speaking effectively.
Through this approach, Matthew hopes that AI will not be seen as a threat, but rather as a practical tool that bridges the gap between the limitations of conventional teaching and the learning needs of today’s generation. When used wisely, Flow Speak allows teachers to remain the primary guides in the learning process, while technology serves as a partner that extends learning beyond the classroom.
This collaboration enables the creation of an inclusive, adaptive, and data-driven learning environment that not only boosts students’ confidence in speaking English, but also fosters sustainable independent learning. In the face of globalization and the increasing demand for foreign language skills, Matthew emphasized that confidence in speaking is a strategic key to unlocking access to various opportunities in education, careers, and cross-cultural communication.