How to Learn English with ChatGPT and Other Chatbots

ChatGPT and other similar systems can be used to learn a foreign language, but it is important to select queries that match your level of English proficiency. At the initial stages of learning a language, use routines that will give you a lot of new information and help you consolidate basic knowledge. If you already have a more advanced level, then enter queries that will force you to understand complex sentence structures and unusual words.

Remember that ChatGPT and other neural network-based services are trained to work with texts, but do not yet understand the full context. Therefore, sometimes the bot gives inappropriate answers. Be careful, try to look for grammatical or lexical errors in the texts - this will also help you learn. Pay attention to inaccuracies in your proposals. Use a helper to find and fix them. At the same time, try to understand why you made a mistake and how to avoid it in the future.

Bots will help develop writing and speech skills, but are not yet capable of the high level of spontaneity that you would have when communicating with another person. In addition, large language models do not yet have expert knowledge of all types of English with different dialects. So it’s not always possible to find answers in narrow disciplines.

Additionally, a neural network may not always be able to identify specific areas that you need to improve. It is important to use chatbots as one of the tools in a broader set of tools language learning. For example, also add classes with a tutor or watching a movie in English.

Let's consider the main areas in learning English, for which services based on neural networks are best suited. You can use ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Google Bard and others similar systems. Bing helped us - it's easier to access and uses the advanced GPT-4 language model.

Improve your vocabulary

Use ChatGPT or another service to generate a list of words related to a specific topic or idea. The bot can provide definitions, synonyms, and examples of using a word in context.

For example, you might ask: “What is the meaning of this word?” or “Can you give me synonyms for this word?” And then indicate the word itself. To effectively use ChatGPT to improve your vocabulary, try to ask questions related to the specific context in which you plan to use the vocabulary.

If you are preparing for an exam, ask the bot to make you a set of words related to the exam material. Also take time to read the definitions and examples provided by neural network to expand your knowledge.

For example, try the following queries:

• Describe the impact of technology and AI on modern society.
• Please, explain the plot of the novel Ulysses.

Expand your grammar knowledge

Remember that the answers will not always be completely correct. Therefore, you should not put aside books and articles written by experts. But when it comes to basic grammar rules, chatbots do a good job and can save you time. Services will help you understand verb tenses, sentence structure and punctuation.

Let's say try these queries:

• What is the correct verb tense in this sentence? "He will be visiting his father next month."
• How can I make this sentence more concise? “I am hoping that maybe in the near future, I can possibly get a great job.”

You can use grammar checking bots to get feedback and explanations on needed corrections. It is advisable to read ready-made sentences out loud several times. If you are not sure about the pronunciation of some words, look at dictionary or online translator with voice acting.

To optimally use ChatGPT to develop your grammar skills, it is best to ask precise questions with enough contextual details. This will help the neural network generate more complete answers.

For example, you can enter the following query:

• I’m writing an email to my chief. Can you check if the sentence structure and grammar are correct? “Dear Diana, I’m excited to apply for this project at our company.”

Practice dialogues

ChatGPT and similar bots are suitable for conversational practice. The system can understand and conduct dialogues on a variety of topics - from scientific fields to interests and hobbies. Practice small talk, everyday conversations, interviews, and a variety of other areas. Use a neural network to create different dialogue scenarios to repeat and remember.

For example, you have a business conversation or presentation planned and you want to practice to become more confident in your abilities. Ask the chatbot to generate scripts for specific conversations and suggest specific vocabulary. You can also provide additional instructions based on the situation.

Check out similar queries:

• Let's conduct an interview. You will be asking me questions as if I were interviewing for a bus driver. Please provide feedback and suggest useful vocabulary to use in such conversation.
• Write a chat between a boss and the employee of a company on a failed business project. The CEO should have a sarcastic tone.

Once the bot generates a conversation, you can convert the text into voice and play it back in the form of natural human speech.

This can be done, for example, using services NaturalReaders or Voicemaker. When playing, pause the conversation and repeat your lines to practice.

Improve your pronunciation and develop your speech

Ask the bot to write sentences or words for you that you will practice saying out loud. You can choose examples that repeat a specific sound or a sequence of two or more sounds.

But keep in mind: you need to know what to focus on and how to improve your pronunciation. Bots do not yet know how to listen to you and offer feedback on this parameter.

Keep in mind that ChatGPT and other similar services may mistakenly list words that sound the same based only on their spelling. When in doubt, use dictionaries and other checking tools.

Try these queries:

• Make a list of common words with the G sound at the beginning, middle and end.
• Write a poem with internal rhymes.
• Write a list of common words with 4 syllables.

Speaking out loud will help make your speech more confident and you will convey information clearly. To do this, you need to practice and tell your own thoughts on the chosen topic, and not just read what is written. But it is not always possible to communicate with others; sometimes we lack the courage. Instead, video or audio record yourself speaking for a few minutes every day. Then listen and re-record, trying to improve your pronunciation and delivery.

As examples, try these queries:

• Write a speech on the topic of car tuning that would sound like a professional race driver speech.
• Write a monologue about someone who lost his house and all his money on a bank account.

To make your speech sound more natural, it is important to memorize common idioms and phrases. You can ask the bot to collect examples and definitions of popular expressions from the English language:

• Give me a list of common idioms that are unique to English, with Russian translations.

Check texts for errors and improve your writing skills

Use the bot to check errors in the text you write. Simply copy your entries, paste them into the query bar, and ask them to find any discrepancies. The following designs are suitable for this:

• Check the spelling and grammar in the following text.
• Correct my mistakes in the following text.

Let's say you're composing a letter, but you don't know how to make it more polite. Ask the neural network to rewrite it using a more formal or friendly tone. You can choose different vocabulary or get general feedback with explanations. The bot will also help you generate something from scratch.

It is important not just to use a chatbot to rewrite your text, but also to try to understand why certain changes were made. This way you can improve.

Use queries like this:

• Suggest a vocabulary better to be used in this text.
• Rewrite this text in a more informal style.

Create a lesson plan and exercises to prepare

Use a chatbot if you find it difficult to create an effective lesson plan on your own or want to improve an existing one. To do this, you must describe your tasks and needs in more detail:

• Generate a practice plan for a B1 English learner to practice grammar every day.
• Make a vocabulary‑learning plan for improving my technical English.
• I want to improve my academic reading skills in English. Please, suggest a reading plan for a month.

ChatGPT and other services can generate sample TOEFL/IELTS writing assignments for you to practice your essay writing skills, as well as provide feedback on your answer.

Try queries like this:

• Generate a 5 month IELTS study-plan. Structure it for 40 minutes a day to practice.
• Create sample writing prompts to prepare for the TOEFL / IELTS exam.
• Give me feedback on my writing. Suggest corrections of any grammatical errors and advice on improvement.