What is ChatGPT, and how can it help teachers in the English language classroom?
ChatGPT, short for “Chat Generative Pre-training Transformer,” is an extensive language model developed by OpenAI that can generate natural language text. There has been tons of buzz around this innovative tool since it came out last year, with mixed feelings about how it could be used in education or if it should be used. What’s my position? I’m all for it, it’s a tool we can use to support teaching and learning English.
ChatGPT and its Benefits for English Language Learning
ChatGPT can be an invaluable tool for teachers in the English language classroom. It can help students practice various language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and even preparing for speaking. However, I’ve read many articles debating where ChatGPT should be used in teaching and learning since it could be just another way for students to get out of doing their homework.
As English teachers, you could tell if your students used a translator on a writing task; the same occurs with using ChatGPT. Although it can mimic a human, it will never quite get the exact style your students use of the language, their level of English, or their lexis. We can tell, so I don’t think it will impact our work negatively, but it could benefit our teacher activities and students’ learning process.
So, let’s explore how we can get the most out of ChatGPT in ELT. One of the ways that ChatGPT can be used in the classroom is through the use of prompts and questions. Teachers can prepare these for ChatGPT to either generate responses that help them plan a lesson or develop content that students can use to learn.
For Students
- You can use the model as a starting point for class discussion. Ask the students to explain their understanding of the model’s response, and you can ask higher-order thinking skill questions to promote critical thinking.
- Using ChatGPT as a writing assistant, students can input a sentence or a paragraph in their own words, and the model will help them with grammar, vocabulary, or even spelling mistakes.
- Students can then analyze the model’s responses and compare them to their own answers, leading to a better understanding of the language.
- It can also be used as a self-study tool. Teachers can assign homework that involves interacting with the model, and students can share their findings with the class. This can be an excellent way for students to practice their language skills in a fun and engaging way.
- Students can also use ChatGPT to learn or practice vocabulary.
For teachers
Now, as you can see, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that you can use in the English language classroom. But it can also help teachers to create interactive and engaging lessons.
You can create reading material for your students that is tailor-made to their context to make it more meaningful. Once the response is generated, you’ll have to tweak it here and there. And you can even create an activity with the exact text.
Prompt
Write a short paragraph with a Colombian teenager’s daily routine. The teen is from a small rural town. The paragraph is meant for A1 level students based on the CEFR so the teacher can teach basic expressions and vocabulary for daily routines. Make a vocabulary list with definitions for this level.
ChatGPT Generated Response
A Colombian teenager from a small rural town usually wakes up early in the morning at 6 am. He starts his day by having breakfast with his family, usually consisting of a bowl of hot cereal or arepas with cheese. After breakfast, he brushes his teeth and gets dressed. He then walks to school, which is about a 15-minute walk from his house. He goes to school from 7 am to 12 pm. After school, he goes back home, has lunch with his family and takes a nap. In the afternoon, he helps his family with chores such as taking care of the animals or working on the farm. He also does his homework if he has any. He has dinner with his family at around 7 pm and then goes to bed early to get a good night’s rest.
Vocabulary list:
wake up (verb): to stop sleeping
early (adverb): at the beginning of the day
breakfast (noun): the first meal of the day
cereal (noun): a type of food made from grains
arepas (noun): a traditional Colombian corn cake
cheese (noun): a food made from milk
brush (verb): to clean your teeth
get dressed (verb): to put on clothes
walk (verb): to move on foot
school (noun): a place where people learn
homework (noun): work that students do at home
chores (noun): tasks that need to be done around the house
farm (noun): a piece of land where plants and animals are raised.
Prompt
Create a fill-in-the-blank activity with the previous paragraph.
ChatGPT Generated Response
A Colombian teenager from a small rural town usually _____ up early in the morning at 6 am. He starts his day by having _____ with his family, usually consisting of a bowl of hot _____ or _____ with _____. After breakfast, he _____ his teeth and _____ dressed. He then _____ to school, which is about a 15-minute _____ from his house. He goes to school from 7 am to 12 pm. After school, he goes back home, has _____ with his family and takes a _____. In the afternoon, he _____ his family with _____ such as taking care of the animals or working on the _____. He also does his _____ if he has any. He has _____ with his family at around 7 pm and then goes to bed early to get a good night’s rest.
Answers:
wakes up
breakfast
cereal
arepas
cheese
brushes
gets dressed
walks
walk
lunch
nap
helps
chores
farm
homework
dinner.
You can also use this tool to develop a trivia game using ChatGPT. Students can input a question related to a topic they are studying in English class, and ChatGPT will provide the answer. It’s a great way to review and reinforce what you have learned in class; the students love it.
Prompt
Create a three question trivia talking about home appliances for A2 English language students. Give the answers.
ChatGPT Generated Response
What is the name of the device that is used to cook food by using heat and pressure? Answer: Pressure cooker
What is the name of the device that is used to make ice cubes? Answer: Ice maker
What is the name of the device that is used to clean clothes using water and detergent? Answer: Washing machine
Please note that these questions are designed for A2 level students, the level of difficulty and the vocabulary used is appropriate for that level. Also, the questions and answers are focused on the specific topic of home appliances.
Prompt
Give an interesting fact about types of transportation.
ChatGPT Generated Response
An interesting fact about types of transportation is that the fastest form of transportation ever created by humans is the North American X-15 aircraft. It was able to reach a top speed of 4,520 miles per hour, which is over six times the speed of sound. It was developed in the 1950s and 60s for use in military and research purposes.
Second Prompt
Adapt the previous response for A2-level students.
ChatGPT Generated Response:
An interesting fact about types of transportation for A2 level students is that the fastest form of transportation ever created by humans is the North American X-15 aircraft. It was able to reach a top speed of 7,346 kilometers per hour, which is faster than the speed of sound. It was developed a long time ago, specifically in the 1950s and 60s, and it was used for military and research purposes.
I love using music in class, so ChatGPT made my life easier by helping me select just the right music for the lesson’s target language.
Prompt
Find two songs an English teacher could use for teenagers to practice the present simple. For each song, give the list of verbs in present simple. The songs should have a variety of first and third person examples.
ChatGPT Generated Response
Song: “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
-Verbs in present simple: love, know, touch, kiss, miss, see, hold, dance, sing, love
Song: “I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran ft. Justin Bieber
-Verbs in present simple: don’t care, know, feel, don’t need, wanna, love, dance
Both of these songs include a variety of verbs in the present simple, including first person (“I know,” “I love,” “I don’t care”) and third person (“He knows,” “She loves,” “They don’t care”). The songs also have a catchy and upbeat rhythm that would make them engaging for teenage students to listen to and practice their English with.
Prompt
Find a song an English teacher could use for adults at a B2 level to teach or review phrasal verbs.
ChatGPT Generated Response
- “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran – This song includes several examples of phrasal verbs, such as “sticking around,” “falling,” and “pick up.” These phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday conversation and can be used to discuss relationships and emotions.
- “Put It All on Me” by Ed Sheeran – This song features multiple instances of the phrasal verb “put on” in the context of taking responsibility for something. It can be used to teach and review the meaning and usage of this phrasal verb.
These songs are appropriate for B2 level students as they include a good range of phrasal verbs, and the lyrics and context of the songs are relevant to adult students. The songs are popular and the lyrics are easy to understand, which can make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable for the students.
ChatGPT can generate role plays that students can read and adapt or complete with their own information or imagination.
Prompt
Let’s have a conversation in natural speech. I am a salesperson at a clothing store, and you are a client looking to buy a gift for your husband.
ChatGPT Generated Response
Sure, let’s start a conversation.
Salesperson: Hi, welcome to our clothing store! Can I help you find anything specific today?
Client: Hi, yes I am looking for a gift for my husband. He needs some new dress shirts for work.
Salesperson: Great! We have a wide selection of dress shirts in different styles and sizes. What kind of look is he going for?
Client: He likes classic and simple styles, nothing too flashy. And he wears a medium size.
Salesperson: Perfect, we have a great selection of classic dress shirts in medium size. Would you like me to show you some options?
Client: Yes, please. I would appreciate it.
Salesperson: Great, follow me this way. We have a variety of colors and patterns to choose from. This one here is a great classic white dress shirt that would be perfect for the office. And this one is a classic blue shirt, it’s a versatile option that would match with many types of suits.
Client: Oh, these are great choices. I think my husband would like these.
Salesperson: Excellent, would you like to try them on or do you want to take them as they are?
Client: I think I’ll take them as they are, he can try them on at home.
Salesperson: Sure, let me just ring these up for you. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Client: No, that’s all. Thank you for your help.
Salesperson: You’re welcome, it was a pleasure helping you. Thank you for shopping with us, we hope your husband likes his new dress shirts.
Client: I’m sure he will, thank you again.
Salesperson: No problem, have a great day!
Take authentic material or maybe even something you already have for your lesson and adapt the level. Here’s an example of adapting the role play from before to an A2 level.
Prompt
Let’s have a conversation in natural speech for an A2 level based on the CEFR. I am a salesperson at a clothing store, and you are a client looking to buy a gift for your husband.
ChatGPT Generated Response
Sure, let’s start a conversation.
Salesperson: Hello, can I help you find something?
Client: Hi, yes I want to buy a present for my husband.
Salesperson: Okay, what kind of clothes is he looking for?
Client: He needs new dress shirts for work.
Salesperson: We have a lot of dress shirts, let me show you.
Client: Thank you.
Salesperson: Here are some, what size does he wear?
Client: Medium, please.
Salesperson: Here are some medium shirts, what color does he like?
Client: He likes white and blue.
Salesperson: Here are white and blue shirts. Do you want to try them on or buy as they are?
Client: I will buy them as they are, thank you.
Salesperson: You’re welcome, is there anything else I can help you with?
Client: No, that’s all. Thank you for your help.
Salesperson: You’re welcome, have a nice day!
These are just a few examples of how ChatGPT can be used in the English language classroom. The possibilities are endless, and I encourage you to experiment with different ways to use ChatGPT in your teaching practice to save time and still offer personalized and differentiated content for your students. It’s a powerful tool that can help to make language learning more fun, interactive, and practical. Give it a try, and let your creativity flow!
