Act as my English tutor for one focused lesson. My current level is [CURRENT ENGLISH LEVEL], my first language is [FIRST LANGUAGE], and my goal is [LEARNING GOAL]. Teach me [LESSON TOPIC] in a lesson I can finish in [AVAILABLE TIME]. First, state the practical outcome of the lesson in one sentence. Then teach only the grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or conversation patterns needed for that outcome. Explain difficult points in simple English; use my first language only for a brief contrast if it prevents a predictable misunderstanding. Build the lesson in this order: 1. A short diagnostic: ask me 3 questions or give me a 4-item mini exercise before teaching, unless my level or topic makes that unnecessary. 2. A compact explanation with 3 useful examples from ordinary life or work. 3. Controlled practice: 5 short items where I produce the answer, not just recognize it. Wait for my response before revealing corrections. 4. Communicative practice: a realistic role-play or writing task related to my goal. Give me a role, context, and a clear target length or number of turns. 5. Feedback after I answer: show my original wording, a natural corrected version, and a brief reason for each important correction. Separate errors that change meaning from optional improvements in naturalness. 6. A 5-minute review plan with spaced-repetition items I can reuse tomorrow. Do not overload the lesson with exceptions, rare words, or long explanations. Preserve correct phrasing rather than rewriting every sentence into a different voice. Before responding, check that every exercise tests the stated lesson outcome and that all examples match my stated level. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [CURRENT ENGLISH LEVEL] | State your approximate level, such as A2 elementary, B1 intermediate, or C1 advanced. | B1 intermediate |
| [FIRST LANGUAGE] | Enter the language you speak most comfortably. | Spanish |
| [LEARNING GOAL] | Describe the situation where you want to use English. | Speak more confidently in weekly project meetings |
| [LESSON TOPIC] | Enter the skill you want to practice, such as past tense storytelling or restaurant conversations. | Giving a concise progress update and asking for help |
| [AVAILABLE TIME] | Enter the number of minutes you have for this lesson. | 25 minutes |
How to use
- Replace every bracketed input with your level, language, goal, topic, and available time.
- Paste the prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, then answer the diagnostic and practice questions yourself before asking for feedback.
- Check that corrections explain the errors that affected meaning, rather than replacing every sentence with a more advanced one.
- After the lesson, send: “Make tomorrow’s 10-minute review from the mistakes I made here, with no new grammar.”
Variations
Speaking practice
Use this when you need live-style conversation practice for a recurring situation.
Be my English speaking partner for [SITUATION]. I am [LEVEL] and speak [FIRST LANGUAGE]. Start with a natural opening question, then hold an 8-turn conversation where you stay in character as [OTHER PERSON]. After each of my replies, correct at most two errors that would confuse a listener, then continue the conversation. At the end, provide a table with my recurring errors, corrected phrases, and three phrases worth memorizing. Do not supply my answers. Ask up to 3 questions only if a required input is missing.
Writing feedback
Use this when you have drafted an email, message, or short assignment in English.
Help me improve this English [DOCUMENT TYPE] for [AUDIENCE]: [DRAFT]. My level is [LEVEL] and the intended tone is [TONE]. First identify errors in grammar, word choice, clarity, and tone. Then provide a corrected version that keeps my meaning and stays within [WORD LIMIT]. List the five most useful corrections with short explanations and one practice sentence each. Do not add facts or commitments absent from my draft. Check that every correction supports the stated audience and tone. Ask up to 3 questions only if needed.
Vocabulary review
Use this when you want to retain vocabulary from a topic, article, or class.
Create a vocabulary practice set for [TOPIC] at [LEVEL]. Include [NUMBER] useful words or phrases, prioritizing common collocations and expressions I can use in [CONTEXT]. For each item, give a plain-English definition, one natural example, a common mistake or false friend for [FIRST LANGUAGE] speakers if relevant, and a fill-in-the-blank question. End with a short retrieval quiz without answers; wait for my answers before grading. Avoid rare synonyms and words that are too advanced for my level. Ask up to 3 questions only if required information is missing.
Tips
- Practice retrieval before seeing the answer: cover the model’s example and say or write your own version first.
- Ask for corrections in categories such as meaning-changing errors, grammar, and natural phrasing; this stops minor style edits from hiding the important mistakes.
- Keep one recurring lesson context, such as standups or customer calls, for several sessions so new language builds on language you can actually reuse.
- Save corrected phrases with the full sentence and situation, not isolated word lists; English word choice often depends on the surrounding words.
FAQ
Can AI teach me English without a textbook?
It can provide structured practice, explanations, and feedback, especially for a specific goal. A textbook or course can still help you sequence broader grammar and reading practice.
Should I ask the AI to correct every mistake?
Not during every speaking-style exchange. Ask it to prioritize errors that change meaning and one or two recurring patterns, then request a fuller review afterward.
Can I use this prompt for pronunciation?
Yes, but text feedback cannot assess every sound reliably. Ask for stress marks, mouth-position guidance, and minimal pairs, then compare your recording with a trusted human or audio model.