AI for Language Learning
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. You are welcome to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Any article that mentions AI seems to have become "clickbait" in the past couple of years. There are those that claim it's going to take over your job and those that claim it will make you more productive. I think it lands somewhere in the middle. The bottom line is that in our lifetime, the pattern that seems to have emerged is that technology advances and we learn to adapt.
I've learned how to use ChatGPT as a tool to make my writing work more productive, but it cannot be relied upon to replace my unique creativity and original thoughts. When I first started writing these newsletters, it would take me several hours to put one together, but now I can accomplish it in about an hour. For example, I use ChatGPT to create grammar exercises aligned with my theme, but I still have to have the expertise to know the grammar itself and how it should be put together for adults learning English.
Lastly, I will say that the barrage of people offering AI tools can be a bit overwhelming. I often have to wade through the mess of multiple tools offering to summarize something for me, or put it into a table, or rephrase it, etc., when I'm trying to write even a simple email, and I think it's a bit much. There are people that offer to show you how to make a ridiculous amount of money by using AI tools. These are the same type of people from years past that have made money promising to show you how to "get rich quick" using whatever scheme made them rich.
However, this newsletter will focus on some new and exciting ways to harness this technology for language learning. Use it as a practice partner for conversations, use it to create your personalized learning path, or use it to gamify your learning.
Vocabulary
Language Level - B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Sample (v)
- Satellite (n)
- Satisfied (adj)
- Satisfy (v)
- Saving (n)
- Scale (n)
- Schedule (v)
- Scheme (n)
- Scream (v, n)
- Screen (v)
โStudy this set with Quizlet. โ
Grammar Tip
Language Level - B2
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (called the object).
Example: I practice English with AI tools โ โwith AI toolsโ is the prepositional phrase.
Why Use Prepositional Phrases?
Prepositional phrases add details and depth to your sentences:
- Where?She studies English at home.
- When?I learn new words in the morning.
- How or with what?He practices speaking with an AI chatbot.
They help your sentences sound more advanced and natural than simple ones like โI study English.โ
Prepositions are small but powerful words. They show how two parts of a sentence are connected. They tell us where, when, or how something happens, and sometimes even why.
Types of Relationships Prepositions Show
1. Place (Where?)โ
They show the location or direction of something:
- I study English at home. (location)
- She saves her notes on the computer. (position)
2. Time (When?)โ
They show when something happens:
- We practice speaking in the evening. (general time)
- He reviews vocabulary at midnight. (specific time)
3. Method or Means (How? With what?)โ
They show the tool, method, or reason for something:
- I learn pronunciation with an AI chatbot. (method/tool)
- They improved their grammar through online lessons. (method/process)
4. Cause or Reason (Why? From where?)(less common but useful)
- She gained confidence from practicing every day. (reason/source)
Common Prepositions for Learning English
with, in, on, at, about, for, from, by, through
- with โ shows the tool or company: I practice with AI apps
- in โ shows time or location: She learns in the morning
- on โ shows surface or device: I watch lessons on my phone
- at โ shows a specific time or place: We study at school
- about โ shows topic: They talk about pronunciation
- for โ shows purpose: He learns English for work
- from โ shows source: I get advice from my tutor
- by โ shows method or agent: She learns vocabulary by reading
- through โ shows process: I improve through practice
Let's Practice!
1. Find the Prepositional Phrase
- I practice listening with AI apps every day.
- She learns new vocabulary in the morning.
- They study pronunciation on their phones.
- He gets quick grammar tips from an AI tutor.
2. Fill in the Blanks
- I practice speaking English ___ an AI chatbot.
- She studies English ___ her phone every evening.
- We get useful feedback ___ online lessons.
- He learns new words ___ the morning.
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Reading and Listening Tip
Language Level - B2
This video explores some top English Language learning apps, which could be helpful (and it is not a sales pitch):
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Weekly Challenge
Language Level - C1
Read this article about how you can use AI to further your language study:
โhttps://www.taalhammer.com/how-to-use-artificial-intelligence-in-language-learning/โ
How can I help?
Send me a message if you have any questions or feedback!
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