ChatGPT not only understands a wide range of languages but also provides you with an interactive platform for practicing your target language.
As you engage in conversation with ChatGPT, you’ll benefit from personalized feedback, tailored to your skill level and learning style. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to polish your fluency, ChatGPT serves as a supportive language tutor, always available to provide explanations, examples, and even cultural context.
The prompt examples below are just the starting point to the extent that you can push ChatGPT for language learning.
This page is part of the How to Use ChatGPT guide. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find links to other use cases.
Vocabulary Acquisition & Practice
- Generate Vocabulary Lists
To create vocabulary lists, start by asking for words related to a specific topic or theme that you would like to study. Be as specific as possible to get the most relevant results.
User prompt: Give me 10 words related to cooking techniques.
AI response: sauté, simmer, boil, broil, grill, fry, steam, braise, poach, roast.
- Generate Flashcards with Definitions and Examples
To create flashcards, request definitions and example sentences for the vocabulary words you’ve defined. Make sure to ask for both parts (the definition and the example) to maximize your learning experience.
User prompt: Provide a definition and example sentence for the terms: sauté, simmer, and braise.
AI response:
Sauté: To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil or fat over high heat, usually while stirring. Example: She decided to sauté the vegetables with garlic and olive oil for a flavorful side dish.
Simmer: To cook food gently in liquid at a temperature just below boiling. Example: He let the soup simmer on the stove for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld together.
Braise: To cook food slowly in a small amount of liquid, typically in a covered pot or pan.
Example: She braised the beef in red wine and herbs until it was tender and full of flavor.
- Create Synonym Lists for Vocabulary Expansion
Ask for synonyms to expand your vocabulary and help strengthen your understanding of the words you’ve learned.
User prompt: Give me synonyms for the following cooking techniques: sauté, simmer, and braise.
AI response: Sauté synonyms: stir-fry, pan-fry. Simmer synonyms: slow-cook, stew. Braise synonyms: pot-roast, slow-roast.
- Request Examples for Language Learning Contexts
To generate contextual examples for new vocabulary words, ask for example sentences that illustrate the use of the word in various situations related to language learning. Be specific about the context to get the most relevant examples.
User prompt: Create example sentences using the word “conjugation” in the context of language learning.
AI response:
- While practicing Spanish, I realized I needed to work on verb conjugation to fully understand and communicate in various tenses.
- My language learning app has dedicated lessons focused on conjugation, which makes it easier to memorize specific verb forms.
- The verb conjugation chart helped me organize my thoughts and remember the different forms for various subjects and tenses.
- Generate Examples of Common Phrases or Idioms
You can ask for common phrases or idioms incorporating your new vocabulary words. This will help you better understand the usage of the words in everyday conversations.
User prompt: Give me common idioms or phrases that include the word “versatile” and provide examples of their use.
AI response:
- Idiom: “jack of all trades, master of none” (meaning someone is versatile in many skills but not an expert in any). Example: He was a jack of all trades, master of none – he knew a little about a lot of things, but never specialized in any one area.
- Phrase: “wearing many hats” (meaning someone has versatile roles in various situations). Example: In a small company, the manager is often wearing many hats, taking on responsibilities ranging from hiring to marketing and financial oversight.
- Ask for Vocabulary Comparisons in Context
Request comparisons between similar words or synonyms to understand the subtle differences and usage contexts.
User prompt: Compare the usage of the words “devastating” and “disastrous” in disaster-related contexts with examples.
AI response:
- Devastating: Used to describe an event that causes extreme damage, grief, or distress. Example: The hurricane was so devastating that it left entire neighborhoods in ruins and displaced thousands of people.
- Disastrous: Used to describe an event that has severe, negative consequences or is a complete failure. Example: The disastrous flood not only destroyed homes, but also contaminated the local water supply, leaving residents without clean drinking water for weeks.
Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Request Grammar Rule Explanations
To get explanations for specific grammar rules, ask for a description of the rule and how it is applied in sentences. Make sure to provide the name of the grammar rule or concept for accurate results.
User prompt: Explain the difference between “their,” “they’re,” and “there” in English grammar with examples.
AI response:
- “Their” is a possessive adjective used to show ownership or belonging. Example: The students submitted their homework on time.
- “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.” Example: My friends said they’re going to the party tonight.
- “There” is used to indicate a location or place. Example: I left my phone over there on the table.
- Ask for Examples to Illustrate Grammar Concepts
If you’re studying a specific grammar concept, such as verb tenses or conditional sentences, ask for examples that demonstrate the concept in various situations.
User prompt: Provide examples for present continuous and past continuous tenses.
AI response:
- Present continuous tense: The dog is chasing the cat in the backyard. She is reading a book by the window.
- Past continuous tense: The dog was chasing the cat in the backyard yesterday. She was reading a book by the window when the phone rang.
- Request Clarification on Commonly Confused Grammar Points
You can ask for help understanding the differences between similar grammar points or terms that are often confused. Be specific with the terms you need clarification on.
User prompt: Explain the difference between active and passive voice in English grammar with examples of each.
AI response:
- Active voice: The subject performs the action of the verb. Example: John ate the apple. (Subject: John, Verb: ate, Object: the apple)
- Passive voice: The subject receives the action of the verb. Example: The apple was eaten by John. (Subject: The apple, Verb: was eaten, Agent: by John)
- Request Grammar Exercise Creation
To create grammar exercises, ask for a set of questions or tasks related to a specific grammar topic. Be precise about the grammar concept you want to focus on and the type of exercise you’d like.
User prompt: Design an exercise with five fill-in-the-blank questions focused on using the correct form of “their,” “they’re,” and “there.”
AI response:
- _ going to the store after work. (Answer: They’re)
- The keys are on the table over _. (Answer: there)
- The neighbors painted _ house red. (Answer: their)
- Alice isn’t sure if _ is any ice cream left. (Answer: there)
- My friends are so excited; _ planning a road trip! (Answer: They’re)
- Request Examples for Grammar Drills
Ask for repetitive practice exercises that focus on a specific grammar point, such as verb conjugation, tenses, or pronouns. Be clear about the grammar concept and the desired format of the drill.
User prompt: Create a drill exercise for conjugating the verb “to eat” in the simple past, simple present, and simple future tenses for all subjects.
AI response:
- Simple past tense:
- I _ (eat)
- You _ (eat)
- He/she/it _ (eat)
- We _ (eat)
- They _ (eat)
- Simple present tense:
- I _ (eat)
- You _ (eat)
- He/she/it _ (eat)
- We _ (eat)
- They _ (eat)
- Simple future tense:
- I _ (eat)
- You _ (eat)
- He/she/it _ (eat)
- We _ (eat)
- They _ (eat)
- Ask for Sentence Transformation Exercises
Request exercises that involve transforming sentences from one grammatical structure to another, such as from active voice to passive voice, or from an affirmative sentence to a negative one. Specify the type of transformation desired and the number of examples you want.
User prompt: Provide three sentence pairs where the first sentence is in active voice, and the second sentence transforms it into passive voice.
AI response:
- Active: She opened the window.
Passive: The window was opened by her. - Active: The chef cooks the food.
Passive: The food is cooked by the chef. - Active: They painted the walls blue.
Passive: The walls were painted blue by them.
Listening and Reading Comprehension
- Create dialogue simulations for listening practice
User prompt: You’re at a train station in Germany and want to ask for directions to the nearest hotel.
AI response:
“Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir bitte zeigen, wo das nächste Hotel ist?” (Excuse me, could you please show me where the nearest hotel is?)
By providing a context like this, you can create natural conversation samples to practice your listening skills. Record the AI’s response using a text-to-speech tool in the target language, or have a native speaker record it, and use it as listening material.
- Generate reading comprehension exercises
User prompt: Write a short paragraph in French about a person visiting the Eiffel Tower, including specific details such as the weather, their feelings, and any challenges faced.
AI response:
“C’était une journée ensoleillée et douce. Marie se tenait devant la Tour Eiffel, le cœur battant de joie et d’excitation. Elle n’avait jamais imaginé qu’elle pourrait être ici un jour. Les heures d’attente pour acheter un billet et monter jusqu’au sommet ne la décourageaient pas, car elle savait que la vue unique et imprenable sur Paris en valait la peine.”
(It was a sunny and mild day. Marie stood in front of the Eiffel Tower, her heart pounding with joy and excitement. She had never imagined that she could be here one day. The hours of waiting to buy a ticket and climb to the top did not discourage her, as she knew that the unique and breathtaking view of Paris was worth it.)
Use generated paragraphs like this as reading comprehension exercises. Read the text, then create questions to test your understanding, e.g., “What was the weather like?” or “How did Marie feel while waiting in line?”
- Practicing vocabulary in context
User prompt: Craft a conversation in Italian between two friends discussing their weekly fitness routines, using vocabulary specific to different exercises and activities.
AI response:
“A: Ciao, Mario! Com’è andata la tua settimana di allenamento?
B: Ciao, Luca! È stata fantastica. Lunedì ho nuotato, martedì ho fatto bodybuilding e mercoledì mi sono dedicato allo yoga. E tu?
A: Bah, non è male. Martedì ho fatto una corsa nel parco, mercoledì ho sollevato pesi in palestra e giovedì ho giocato a calcio con gli amici._”
By asking for conversations with specific vocabulary, you can practice reading and understanding new words in context. Convert the text into audio for listening practice by recording it as a dialogue or using text-to-speech technology.
- Generate comprehension questions based on a given text
User prompt: Read this English paragraph and create comprehension questions: “Samantha went to the park and saw two children playing on the swings. She decided to bring her younger sister with her next time, so they could both enjoy the playground. Samantha loved visiting the park because it reminded her of her childhood.”
AI response:
1. What did Samantha see in the park?
2. Whom does she want to bring along next time?
3. Why does Samantha love visiting the park?
By providing a passage or conversation, you can create comprehension questions to test your understanding of the text. Use the AI’s questions to create self-assessment tasks or discussions with other learners.
- Formulate questions to test vocabulary knowledge
User prompt: Create a multiple-choice question in Spanish based on the following sentence: “El perro jugaba en el jardín mientras los pájaros cantaban en los árboles.”
AI response:
“¿Qué hacía el perro?
a) Dormía en la cama
b) Jugaba en el jardín
c) Comía en la cocina”
Provide specific sentences or phrases in your target language, and request multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of vocabulary. Use these questions to reinforce your learning, measure your progress, or challenge language partners.
- Develop questions to practice grammar skills
User prompt: Create a fill-in-the-blank question in French using this sentence: “Quand il a rencontré Alice, Paul ne savait pas qu’elle était sa voisine.” (When he met Alice, Paul didn’t know she was his neighbor.)
AI response: “Quand il a rencontré Alice, Paul ne pas qu’elle était sa voisine.”
Request fill-in-the-blank exercises based on sentences or texts given in the target language, focusing on specific grammar points. Use these exercises to practice different tenses, conjugations, and constructions, building a solid foundation for your language learning journey.
Conversation and Speaking Practice
- Engage in a virtual conversation to practice target language skills
User prompt: Begin a conversation in German about favorite hobbies.
AI response: “Hallo! Was sind deine Lieblingshobbys?” (Hello! What are your favorite hobbies?) Start virtual conversations on topics relevant to your language learning goals. Write prompts to initiate discussions and ask questions to keep the conversation going. You can get feedback from the AI in your target language, practice expressing your thoughts, and develop fluency.
- Roleplay situations for improved speaking skills and confidence
User prompt: You and Ronaldo are discussing football tactics before a crucial match. Start the conversation in Portuguese.
AI response: “Ei Ronaldo, qual você acha que é a melhor estratégia para o jogo de hoje?” (Hey Ronaldo, what do you think is the best strategy for today’s game?) Use role-playing scenarios to tackle various situations in the target language. This helps you build confidence in interactions with native speakers and enhances your ability to speak fluently on different subjects. Practice giving opinions, asking questions, and sharing stories in context.
- Debate controversial topics to enhance language skills and critical thinking
User prompt: Argue in favor of sustainability in Spanish.
AI response: “Creo que la sostenibilidad es fundamental para nuestro futuro, ya que preserva los recursos naturales y, al mismo tiempo, ayuda a reducir la contaminación y los desechos. Si queremos asegurar un planeta saludable para las próximas generaciones, tenemos que adoptar prácticas sostenibles en nuestra vida cotidiana.” (I believe that sustainability is essential for our future because it preserves natural resources while simultaneously reducing pollution and waste. If we want to ensure a healthy planet for future generations, we must adopt sustainable practices in our daily lives.) Spark debates on controversial topics in the target language to challenge yourself and expand your language skills. This practice will not only enhance your critical thinking but also improve your ability to express your opinions in diverse situations.
It’s important to note that as a text-based AI, ChatGPT cannot directly evaluate your pronunciation and fluency in spoken language. However, it can still help you indirectly by providing relevant resources, examples, and guidance to improve those aspects of language learning. Here are a few ways to use it for that purpose:
- Request explanations of pronunciation rules and common pitfalls
User prompt: Explain the rules of French nasal sounds and common mistakes.
AI response: “In French, nasal sounds occur when a vowel is followed by a single ‘m’ or ‘n’ in the same syllable. The four primary nasal sounds are ‘an, en’, ‘on’, ‘in, un’, and ‘eu, œu’. Common mistakes include pronouncing these sounds as individual vowels and consonants or not emphasizing the nasal quality enough. Practice pronouncing words with nasal sounds like ‘pain,’ ‘bon,’ ‘vin,’ and ‘peur.’” Seek explanations and advice on pronunciation rules, challenges, or common errors, especially in your target language. Use the provided guidance to focus on the correct pronunciation and practice accordingly.
- Ask for tongue twisters to improve fluency
User prompt: Give me an Italian tongue twister to practice my fluency.
AI response: “Try practicing with this Italian tongue twister: ‘Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa.’ It translates to ‘On the bench, the goat lives; under the bench, the goat dies.’ Pay attention to your pronunciation and enunciation as you repeat it to improve your fluency.” Request tongue twisters in your target language, as they can help you refine your pronunciation and fluency. Practicing these can be a fun way to challenge yourself and develop smoothness in speaking.
- Inquire about resources to refine pronunciation skills
User prompt: Suggest useful resources for improving Spanish pronunciation.
AI response: To improve your Spanish pronunciation, consider these resources:
- Forvo.com: A pronunciation dictionary where native speakers provide audio clips for various words.
- Pimsleur Language Programs: Audio-based language courses that emphasize pronunciation and listening skills.
- SpanishPod101.com: Offers video and audio lessons with a focus on pronunciation.
By utilizing these resources, you can listen, practice, and build confidence in your Spanish pronunciation skills.
Feel free to ask for resources that can help you strengthen specific aspects of your language learning, such as pronunciation or fluency. By practicing with these resources, you can make significant improvements in your spoken language abilities.
Writing Practice and Feedback
- Request help with outlining and structuring essays
User prompt: Help me create an outline for an essay about the impact of social media on communication.
AI response: “Here’s a suggested outline for your essay: I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce social media B. Present your thesis: Social media significantly impacts communication, both positively and negatively II. Positive impacts A. Increased connectivity and networking opportunities B. Faster and more efficient communication C. Enhanced exposure to diverse perspectives III. Negative impacts A. Cyberbullying and harassment B. Loss of face-to-face interaction skills C. Misinformation and fake news IV. Conclusion A. Recap the main points B. Offer a balanced view on the impact of social media on communication” Get assistance with structuring and outlining essays by providing a topic and asking for guidance. This can help you organize your thoughts, maintain focus, and create a strong flow for your written work.
- Ask for feedback on writing samples to improve clarity and cohesion
User prompt: Please provide suggestions on improving this sentence: ‘Puppies are playful often chew on furniture in their teething phase.’
AI response: “A revised version of the sentence could be: ‘Puppies are known to be playful and often chew on furniture during their teething phase.’” Request feedback on writing samples to spot errors or areas of improvement. Use the suggestions to revise and enhance the clarity and cohesion of your writing, making it more effective and engaging.
- Obtain assistance with word choice and expressions in the target language
User prompt: I want to say “The weather is getting colder” in Japanese.
AI response: “You can say ‘The weather is getting colder’ in Japanese as: ‘天気がだんだん寒くなってきています。’ Pronounced as ‘Tenki ga dandan samuku natte kite imasu.’” Seek help with vocabulary and expressions in your target language to improve your writing fluency. This can help you learn new ways to express yourself and navigate language nuances more effectively.
- Submitting a text passage for review and suggestions
User prompt: Hey there, could you please check this paragraph from my “How to Use ChatGPT” guide and provide suggestions for improvements? Text: “In order to save time when writing, you can let the AI complete sentences on behalf of you. This way, you have speed and still maintain creativity in your outputs.”
AI response: Hey! Of course! Here’s an improved version of your paragraph: “To save time while writing, allow the AI to complete sentences for you. This approach ensures a quick writing process while preserving your creative touch in the output.”
- Requesting grammar and punctuation assistance for a given sentence
User prompt: Hi, please help me fix any grammar or punctuation issues in this sentence from my “How to Use ChatGPT” guide: “ChatGPT is, both useful and exciting for language, learners as it helps, identify mistakes., and make, improvements.”
AI response: Hi there! Sure thing, here’s your corrected sentence: “ChatGPT is both useful and exciting for language learners, as it helps identify mistakes and make improvements.”
- Asking for feedback on expression and word choice in a paragraph
User prompt: Hello, I need feedback on expression and word choice for this paragraph from my “How to Use ChatGPT” guide. Have a look: “The AI can be helpful in teaching you sentence structure innovations, it provides differently written sentences from what you provided, and then you can choose the one that suits your needs best.”
AI response: Hi! I’d be happy to help. Here’s a revised version with improved expression and word choice: “The AI can be instrumental in introducing you to new sentence structures by offering alternative ways to phrase your original input. This allows you to select the version that best fits your needs.”
Cultural Context and Real-world Applications
- Asking about cultural practices and traditions
When using the AI, you can ask it about specific cultural practices and traditions to gain insights. In this way, you can better understand the context of language use and the nuances of communication within a particular culture.
User prompt: Describe the significance of the Japanese tea ceremony and its cultural importance.
AI response: The Japanese tea ceremony, or “Chado,” is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and spiritual history. It is a highly choreographed ritual of preparing and serving matcha, a finely ground green tea. The ceremony emphasizes principles such as harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, which reflect the spiritual connections in Japanese culture. Participants and observers gain a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the simple beauty of the ritual and their surroundings.
- Seeking advice on etiquette and manners
Politeness and social customs can vary among cultures or regions. Request advice on standard etiquette and manners when speaking or engaging with people from a different culture.
User prompt: Explain the customary way to greet someone in a formal setting in France.
AI response: In a formal setting in France, it is customary to greet others with a handshake or, occasionally, a light kiss on both cheeks, starting with the right cheek. When meeting someone for the first time, address them by their title (Monsieur, Madame, or Mademoiselle) followed by their last name. A polite “Bonjour” (hello) or “Bonsoir” (good evening) based on the time of day is also appropriate.
- Discussing cultural expressions and idioms
Understanding idiomatic expressions or sayings unique to a particular culture can help you communicate more effectively and appear more knowledgeable in your language use.
User prompt: Could you please explain the meaning and origin of the Russian phrase “семь пятниц на неделе” (seven Fridays in a week)?
AI response: The idiomatic expression “семь пятниц на неделе” (seven Fridays in a week) conveys that someone is unreliable or prone to constantly changing their plans. In Russian culture, Friday is often associated with planning and making promises. Therefore, the phrase humorously implies that someone makes so many promises, it seems like every day of the week is a Friday. This expression could be used when mentioning someone who consistently breaks commitments or switches plans at the last minute.
- Requesting situational dialogues for language practice
To improve your conversation skills in a foreign language, you can ask the AI to generate a situational dialogue involving a specific scenario. This can help you learn practical vocabulary and common phrases in context.
User prompt: Provide a conversation between two people meeting each other for the first time at a business conference in Germany.
AI response:
Person A: Guten Tag, mein Name ist Anna Schmidt. Schön, Sie kennenzulernen! (Good day, my name is Anna Schmidt. Nice to meet you!)
Person B: Hallo, Anna. Mein Name ist Thomas Müller. Es ist mir eine Freude, Sie zu treffen. Auf welchem Gebiet arbeiten Sie? (Hello, Anna. My name is Thomas Müller. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What field do you work in?)
Person A: Ich bin im Marketing tätig. Und Sie? (I work in marketing. How about you?)
Person B: Ich arbeite in der IT-Branche. Haben Sie schon einmal an einer solchen Konferenz teilgenommen? (I work in the IT industry. Have you attended a conference like this before?)
- Generating role-play exercises for fluency
You can ask the AI to create role-play exercises focused on particular topics or situations. This can assist you in practicing your speaking and listening skills within a more specific context, improving your fluency.
User prompt: Create a role-play exercise about ordering a meal at a traditional Italian restaurant.
AI response:
Role: Waiter and Customer
Waiter: Buonasera, posso prendere il vostro ordine? (Good evening, may I take your order?)
Customer: Sì, grazie. Vorrei la pasta alla carbonara, per favore. (Yes, thank you. I’d like the pasta alla carbonara, please.)
Waiter: Ottima scelta! Volete qualcosa da bere? (Great choice! Would you like something to drink?)
Customer: Sì, vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore. (Yes, I’d like a glass of red wine, please.)
- Creating conversations that highlight cultural references
Understanding cultural references can greatly boost your language comprehension. You can ask the AI to generate conversations that include cultural references, helping increase your cultural knowledge and context-awareness.
User prompt: Create a conversation about planning a trip to attend La Tomatina festival in Spain.
AI response:
Person A: Estaba pensando en asistir a La Tomatina este año. ¿Has oído hablar de ese festival? (I was thinking about attending La Tomatina this year. Have you heard about that festival?)
Person B: ¡Claro! Es el festival en el que la gente se lanza tomates en Buñol, España. ¿Cuándo es? (Of course! It’s the festival where people throw tomatoes at each other in Buñol, Spain. When is it?)
Person A: Sí, eso mismo. Se celebra el último miércoles de agosto. ¿Te gustaría unirte? (Yes, that’s the one. It takes place on the last Wednesday of August. Would you like to join?)
Person B: Eso suena divertido, pero bastante caótico. Tendré que pensarlo. (That sounds fun, but a bit chaotic. I’ll have to think about it.)
🙌 Responsible use of AI & ChatGPT
To fully capitalize on this cutting-edge technology, it’s important to keep ethical considerations and limitations in mind.
- Navigating Ethical Considerations: When using ChatGPT to assist with any topic, bear in mind the ethical aspects involved. Take the advice it offers with a pinch of salt and always verify suggestions before putting them into practice.
- Double-checking Accuracy and Reliability: Ensure the information ChatGPT provides is accurate and relevant to your topic. Confirm its validity by cross-referencing with trustworthy sources.
- Putting Privacy and Security First: Be conscious of the data you share while interacting with ChatGPT. Protect your personal and sensitive information by avoiding unnecessary disclosures and following recommended security practices.
- Being Aware of AI-based Assistance Limitations: Recognize that ChatGPT might not have all the answers for every topic. Use it as a helpful sidekick rather than an all-knowing oracle.
- The Perfect Balance: Foster a productive partnership between AI and your own knowledge when exploring any subject. Let ChatGPT spark new ideas and possibilities while trusting your creativity and intuition for your final decisions.
P.S. – No one asked me to put this disclaimer here, but I did anyway. ChatGPT, in particular, can be extremely potent when using it with a specific intention and prior domain knowledge.
ChatGPT Guides & Prompts
Interested in other domains also? Be sure to check out our full list of guides: