If you’re learning a new language at this point, you’re lucky. You have access to a wealth of technological tools that make use of tried and tested pedagogical concepts in order to help you improve all aspects of language acquisition. Apps like Duolingo offer free versions that help you gain various skills. These are great for understanding basic vocabulary and structure, and they often provide examples from native speakers to help you grasp how the language should sound.
But there’s a catch: most of these tools don’t offer real-time help with pronunciation or let you explore topics that matter to you personally. That lack of flexibility increases the risk of error fossilization—when mistakes become part of your permanent language use. In short, while traditional tools are useful, they’re often limited in terms of responsiveness and personalization.
That’s where I’ve found something surprisingly helpful: chatbots.
I use ChatGPT for a lot of things—some academic, some creative, and some just for fun. I’ve used it to generate strange and silly images for my ESL students to describe, brainstorm ways to detect AI-written college essays, and even talk through dissertation ideas when no one else wants to hear about Victorian medicine. But one of the most powerful uses I’ve found is in language learning.
Unlike most language apps, ChatGPT (and, I assume, other chatbots) can be shaped to fit exactly what you want to learn and how you want to learn it. It won’t replace a good teacher or tutor (nor should it), but as a supplement, it’s remarkably useful. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
1. Know Your Learning Level
The CEFR scale (A1 to C2) is a great way to gauge where you’re at and communicate that to the chatbot. You can take a quick online test or read through level descriptions. If you’re unsure, start low—frustration from starting too high can stall your progress.
2. Identify Your Learning Style
We all learn differently. Think about what has worked for you in the past:
- Visual learners absorb info through images, charts, and diagrams.
- Auditory learners thrive on listening and speaking.
- Kinesthetic learners need to do to retain.
- Reading/writing learners learn best through texts and note-taking.
Knowing this helps you (and your chatbot) customize your sessions.
3. Learn How to Talk to the Chatbot
Even free versions of ChatGPT and other chatbots can do a lot, but premium subscriptions unlock extra features like audio or image generation. Whichever chatbot or version you use, take a few minutes to learn how to give it clear instructions. And if you’re not sure how to make something happen? Just ask it.
4. Introduce Yourself
Tell the chatbot your learning goals, your level, and how you learn best. It will adapt its responses accordingly. Want pronunciation help? Ask for audio or switch to voice interaction. Struggling with grammar? Request activities that explain grammatical concepts and provide opportunities to practice usage. The more the chatbot knows about you, the more useful it becomes.
5. Make It Contextual
Working with a tutor? Taking a class? Tell the chatbot what you’re learning. If you’re struggling with grammar points or want to focus on vocabulary for a specific activity—like taking a pottery class in your target language—it can generate personalized lessons and practice scenarios.
6. Experiment
Play. Test. Tinker. You’re not going to break it. Some of the best ideas come from asking a chatbot to do something unexpected—like writing a dialogue between a nervous tourist and a street vendor, or turning vocabulary into a murder mystery.
A Few Words of Caution
Like any tool, chatbots have limitations. They’re not perfect, and they can occasionally get things wrong—so when in doubt, double-check important information using a trusted source.
And while they’re great for practice, they can’t replicate the real beauty of human interaction. Language is messy, emotional, and deeply human. That means you still need to talk to people, make mistakes, laugh at yourself, and connect.
Final Thoughts
Despite its limits, a chatbot can be a powerful learning partner. It gives you real-time feedback, adapts to your goals, and never runs out of patience. If you’re stuck in a rigid textbook routine, ChatGPT can help break things open—offering personalized activities that actually feel useful.
So if you’ve ever wanted a tutor who’s always available, never judges, and can spin your vocabulary list into a soap opera script or a restaurant role-play? You might want to try it out.
Language learning doesn’t have to be lonely. Sometimes, even a bot can help light the way.
HS ESL 