Master's thesis
Generative AI as a dialogic partner during debate training, framed by CEFR speaking and mediation descriptors.
Hello, I'm
Mohamad
Shahrilniza
EducatorDebate CoachResearcherSpeaker
I'm passionate about education, critical thinking and meaningful conversations. I work at the intersection of teaching, debate, research and public speaking to empower people and build a more thoughtful, informed and compassionate society.
Founder of EZ Academy
PEOPLE
IDEAS
DIALOGUE
IMPACT
Better People
Brighter Conversations
A Kinder Tomorrow
How I can help
Work With Me
English TutoringFocused support for SPM, MUET, speaking and writing.Enquire
TalksTalks on confidence, communication and learning English.Invite Me
WorkshopsHands on sessions for students and teachers.Learn More
SeminarsStructured training for schools and organisations.Learn More
EZ AcademyMy English learning platform for independent practice.Explore
Kind words
What People Say
62 comments from students at Break The Wall (Part 2)
Very enjoyable session. We learn a lot without feeling any pressure.
A student · Break The Wall
Every comment
Moments from the session
Open Padlet
Photo slideshow from Break The Wall (Part 2)
Plays here once the site is live on its own domain
View the photos on Padlet
Nice to meet you,
About Me
I am an English teacher from Kelantan who believes that every learner deserves to be heard.
Who I am
I am an English educator and debate coach who became a researcher, a speaker who loves good conversations, and the founder of EZ Academy.
At a glance
Where I am right now
- Teaching
- Secondary school English teacher, Ministry of Education Malaysia
- Studying
- Master in Applied Language Studies, UiTM Kelantan, on study leave
- Coaching
- English debate coach at school and state level
- Building
- Founder of EZ Academy, an English learning platform
- Based in
- Kelantan, Malaysia
What I believe
Better people, brighter conversations, a kinder tomorrow
Speak better
Write clearer
Think deeper
Make a difference
Career timeline
My Journey
A decade of teaching, coaching and building opportunities for learners.
In the classroom,
Teaching
Nurturing curious minds and lifelong learners of English.
How I teach
Four habits in every lesson
Talk first
Speak early, speak often.
Clear goals
Every task has a purpose.
Useful feedback
Know what to try next.
Smart tools
More practice, used with care.
Focus areas
What I help students with
- SPM English
- MUET
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Confidence in English
On the debate floor,
Debate
Building critical thinkers and confident voices.
School levelState levelGrowing debate in Kelantan
What debaters learn with me
Skills that last beyond the round
Building a case
Motion to clear arguments.
Rebuttal
Listen, then respond.
Delivery
Clarity, pace, presence.
Teamwork
One team, one line.
Debate programmes
Bring debate to your school
Workshops for students. Coaching for teachers.
Questions I'm asking,
Research
Exploring how generative AI can help young people speak English with confidence.
Master's research · UiTM Kelantan
Can generative AI be a good sparring partner for young debaters?
I study generative AI as a dialogic partner in developing CEFR Spoken Production, Spoken Interaction and Mediation during debate training in Malaysian secondary schools.
Spoken Production
Building and delivering a clear case.
Spoken Interaction
Responding and rebutting in real time.
Mediation
Explaining and reframing ideas for others.
the dialogue at the centre
Student debater
Generative AI
Context
Debate training in Malaysian secondary schools
Ongoing work
What I am working on
Systematic literature review
A review of research on conversational AI in second language speaking development.
From classroom to research,
Academic
Background
My academic journey has shaped how I teach, research and work with learners.
The path so far
How one question led to the next
- 01
Teacher Education
Learning the craft of teaching English as a second language.
Practitioner - 02
Classroom Practice
Teaching real learners and noticing what helps them speak.
Practitioner - 03
Debate and Communication
Coaching students to argue, listen and respond with confidence.
Practitioner - 04
Applied Language Studies
Returning to study to examine those questions with rigour.
Researcher - 05
Generative AI Research
Exploring AI as a dialogic partner for young debaters.
Researcher
Academic timeline
Where I studied, and why it mattered
Foundation
Teacher education
Bachelor of Education in TESL
University of Warwick
Where I learned to teach English as a craft.
Key focus
Second language pedagogy, classroom practice and reflective teaching
In between
Classroom years
Teaching English and coaching debate
Where my research questions were born.
Now
Postgraduate research
Master in Applied Language Studies
In ProgressUniversiti Teknologi MARA
Back to study, with classroom questions in hand.
Current research focus
Generative AI as a dialogic partner in developing CEFR Spoken Production, Spoken Interaction and Mediation during debate training in Malaysian secondary schools.
What I think about
Research Interests
Language and speaking
- English language learning
- Speaking
- Spoken production
- Spoken interaction
- Mediation
AI and technology
- Generative AI in language learning
- AI mediated language learning
- Educational technology
Learning spaces
- Debate as a communicative learning environment
Academic philosophy
What Shapes My Academic Work
Language
Language is how learners think aloud, take positions and make meaning together.
Communication
Real communication has stakes. I design tasks where learners have something worth saying.
Critical Thinking
Clear speech follows clear reasoning, and both can be taught.
Technology
Tools should extend dialogue, giving learners more chances to speak.
Learner Development
Growth is the measure: a quiet speaker becoming a confident one.
Research
My questions begin in the classroom and their answers should return there.
Writing
Publications
Work in the pipeline
Publications will be listed here with title, authors, year, venue, DOI and status.
PublishedAcceptedPresentedIn Progress
Speaking and sharing
Conferences
Coming soon
Conference presentations will appear here with the event, title, year, location and my role, plus posters and slides.
Things I have built,
Projects
Ideas I have turned into something learners and teachers can use.
ActiveEducational Technology
EZ Academy
An English learning platform I created to help students practise speaking, listening, reading and writing independently, with AI assisted practice and feedback.
- Category
- Educational Technology
- Role
- Founder
- Status
- Active
More projects will be added here as they launch.
Let's learn together,
Products &
Services
Ways to learn, collaborate and work with me.
From individual learning support to workshops, talks and educational technology.
Featured product
built by a teacher, for learners ♡
EZ Academy
Founder, EZ Academy · Mohamad Shahrilniza
An English learning platform I created to help students practise English independently. Learners work on speaking, listening, reading and writing at their own pace, with AI assisted practice and feedback guiding each attempt.
- AI assisted practice
- AI feedback
- SPM focused practice
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Independent practice
[EZ Academy screenshot]
01
English Tutoring
Focused support for students who want to grow in English, shaped around what each learner actually needs.
Fees and schedules are shared on enquiry.
Enquire About TutoringWhat we can work on
- SPM English
- Speaking
- Writing
- MUET
- General English improvement
Online or physical
Learn from home or meet in person.
Individual sessions
One to one attention on your goals.
Small groups
Learn alongside a few peers.
Custom focus
Built around exams, skills or confidence.
02
English Talks
Talks for schools, students and educational organisations that help learners feel braver about English and clearer about why it matters.
Invite Me for a TalkThemes I speak on
- Communication skills
- Speaking confidence
- English learning motivation
- Public speaking
- Debate
- Student communication
- English improvement
For
Schools · Students · Educational organisations
03
Workshops
Hands on sessions where participants practise, get feedback and leave with something they can use the next day.
SPM English Workshops
Speaking Workshops
Writing Workshops
Debate Workshops
Public Speaking Workshops
Teacher Development Workshops
Communication Workshops
[Workshop photos]
Past and upcoming workshops
[Workshop title]
[Short description of the workshop]
- Audience
- [Audience]
- Duration
- [Duration]
- Focus
- [Focus]
- Location
- [Location]
04
Seminars & Training
Longer, structured sessions for schools, teachers and organisations, planned around your goals and your people.
School seminars
Whole school or year group sessions on English and communication.
Teacher professional development
Practical sharing for English teachers and school leaders.
Student seminars
Engaging sessions that build skills and motivation.
Academic and educational sharing
Research informed talks for educators and institutions.
English language programmes
Multi session programmes planned with your organisation.
Communication training
Clear, confident communication for students and staff.
Not sure which one fits?
Tell me a little about your learners or your event, and we can shape something together.
Moments along the way,
Gallery
Talks, workshops, seminars and debate sessions in schools across Kelantan and beyond.
More moments on Instagram.
@mohamad_shahrilniza
Let's talk,
Contact
Tell me what you have in mind. No account needed.