In any language, 20% of the vocabulary makes up 80% of the conversations.
This means that if you learn the most commonly used 20% of the vocabulary in a language, you’ll be able to engage in 80% of everyday conversations effectively.
Today I will show how you can use ChatGPT as an absolute beginner to learn any language.
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Note: You have to adjust the prompts according to the language you want to learn.
Prompt #1
l am a complete beginner in [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN]. I would like to learn the basics of the language in 6 months. I can study for an hour every day. Please create a structured learning plan that utilises the Pareto Principle to help me learn [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN].
Before we start, maybe a couple of words about the Pareto Principle.
I definitely encourage you to look it up for details. In the realm of language learning, this principle suggests that 80% of the conversations in any language are comprised of just 20% of the language’s vocabulary base.
Yes, the 80% to 20 % rule. With that in mind, our approach will involve creating an organised lesson plan centred around these used words, phrases and essential grammar.
This way we can focus our efforts on learning what truly matters and can avoid wasting time.
Prompt #2
I am a beginner interested in learning [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN]. I want to completely immerse myself in the language. Please recommend resources such as music, movies, TV shows, YouTube channels, articles, etc., that I can read or listen to to increase my proficiency in the [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN].
And ChatGPT will give you a bunch of resources that you can go through to improve your language skills.
Next, again according to the Pareto Principle, we will ask ChatGPT to generate the 1000 most common words in the language we want to learn.
So, the prompt will be:
Prompt #3
I want to memorise the 1000 most common [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN] words by learning 10 new words every day. Can you give me the first 100 words in alphabetical order that I should start with, in a table format? Please, give the transcription and translations in [LANGUAGE YOU KNOW WELL].
And then, once ChatGPT finishes writing out the first vocabulary list, you can copy and paste them wherever you want and start learning them.
After learning the first 100 words, you can later ask ChatGPT for the second chunk of 100 words.
Prompt #4
Help me practice my [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN] speaking skills. I want to have a conversation about [TOPIC NAME]. You will start off the conversation and then wait for me to respond before you reply. Please fix
any mistakes that I make and write the correct form of the words and sentences after my every answer if I make a mistake.
One of the ways to utilise ChatGPT is by practising conversational skills.
Regardless of your proficiency level, you can engage in discussions, in your target language on a range of topics.
You can initiate conversations or instruct ChatGPT to simulate conversations centred around scenarios.
Prompt #5
I am a complete beginner in [LANGUAGE NAME] and want to start learning grammar. Can you provide a complete roadmap for me to learn it?
Another useful approach is to utilize ChatGPT’s assistance in creating a step-by-step plan for learning grammar.
This helps alleviate the feeling of not knowing where to begin.
You can even delve deeper by requesting elaboration on a point or asking for instruction, on a grammar rule that it has suggested for you to learn.
You can specific questions with this prompt: Can you teach me about past tense verbs in [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN]?
You can go even further than that and ask it to provide you with some grammar exercises for you to practice what you just learned and solidify the knowledge in your brain.
Another example prompt: Can you provide me with some grammar exercises on past tense verbs in [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN]?
Prompt #6
Can you write a memorable short story in [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN] and in [LANGUAGE YOU KNOW WELL]? Put stories side-by-side in the table. Each sentence on separate rows. The language level of the texts should [LEVEL OF THE LANGUAGE] CEFR.
This is my favourite one.
So, you can ask ChatGPT to write a memorable short story about a particular topic in the language you want to learn and in a language you already know.
Here, CEFR means Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, starting from A1 to C2.
If you are a complete beginner the level will be A1 for you.
In my testing, I asked ChatGPT to generate texts at the B2 level.
Then, analyse the text word-by-word and note the new words. Do it every day for 10 minutes and you will realise the difference in 3 weeks.
Prompt #7
What are some different ways I can use ChatGPT to test my knowledge of [LANGUAGE YOU WANT TO LEARN]?
You can use this prompt to discover other ways that ChatGPT can provide.
Notes. Remember that even though ChatGPT can make the language learning process easier and more enjoyable, learning a language still requires tons of consistent effort and patience.
AI tools are not there to replace us as human beings and I believe that we should not delegate all our jobs to them. We need to include them wisely in our learning processes.
They are our assistants.
We need to mix conventional and modern learning methods.