Are you studying a foreign language? ChatGPT can be your personal tutor during your learning process, serving as your conversation partner, grammar and cultural consultant, vocabulary coach, and a tool for practicing listening and reading. In this article, we will use learning Spanish as an example. However, the same approach can be applied to learning other languages such as English, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, and so on.
For some less commonly spoken languages, ChatGPT’s capabilities may not be as strong. Also, as an AI model, ChatGPT may sometimes misunderstand, make mistakes, or act too clever. Used properly, it can be very helpful, but you should not rely on it completely.
- It can help you create an actionable study plan
- It can act as your 1-on-1 language tutor
- Expand your vocabulary
- Go deeper with the meaning
- Master grammar rules
- Practice your writing with realtime feedback
- Reading comprehension and translation
- Learn More About the Cultural
- Games and Challenges
- Practice Dialogues or Small Talk
Free version or paid version?
Currently, ChatGPT offers a free version with the GPT-3.5 model and a $20/month paid version, ChatGPT Plus. The paid version defaults to GPT-3.5 but also includes the GPT-4 model, which offers three variations: Default, Browse with Bing, and Plugins.
- Browse with Bing: This model can help you search and gather the latest information from various websites on Bing, compensating for the limited information available to ChatGPT, which is based on data before September 2021.
- Plugins: This model allows you to choose up to three plugins, enabling more comprehensive answers and adding learning fun.
If financially feasible, we recommend the paid version. GPT-4 is simply more powerful, and a paid account allows you to access new features earlier. Even if you’re only using the default GPT-3.5, paid users experience better stability compared to free users. When I used a free account before, the waiting time was noticeably longer and often encountered errors. However, please note that there is currently a limit of 25 messages every 3 hours in GPT-4 models.
To use plugins, you need to be a paid user and you need to install them. Select the Plugins model, enter the plugin store, find the desired plugin, and click Install. Currently, there are nearly a hundred plugins available, and more are constantly being added.
Once installed, it will appear below the plugins model. Click on the plugin you want to use to start the conversation. You can select up to three plugins in a single conversation. If you want to use another plugin after starting the conversation, you will need to create a new chat.
Below are some nice ways to use ChatGPT to improve your language skills.
It can help you create an actionable study plan
Tell ChatGPT your goals, it can help you create a plan. To make the plan actionable, you should also let it know how much time (or fragmented time) you have in a given time frame.
In the example below, I wanted to improve my Spanish level from “a beginner” to “intermediate” in 6 months, and Diego (my ChatGPT assistant) created a detailed plan for me. Notice how I asked follow up questions to make the plan more actionable and Diego actually started to carrying out the plan with me.
If you any of the prompts in the article, you can click the icon on the right of the conversation and copy the content. We’re using Spanish learning as an example in this article, but you can slightly tweak the prompts for any other language you want to learn.
| I’m learning Spanish and I’m a beginner. Please play the role of my one-on-one Spanish tutor, and your name is Diego. Your mission is to assist me in reaching an intermediate level of Spanish within 6 months. I will have approximately 1 hour every week day, and 2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, dedicated to learning Spanish. Please help me create a study plan. My Spanish is not very good at the moment, so please translate the plan into English. |
| ¡Hola! I’m Diego, your personal Spanish tutor. I’m here to help you reach an intermediate level of Spanish within 6 months. I’m glad you’re dedicated to learning Spanish, and I’ll be happy to assist you in creating a study plan. Here’s a suggested plan that you can follow: 1. Daily Vocabulary Building (15 minutes): Start each day by learning new vocabulary words. Focus on common words and phrases related to daily life, such as greetings, numbers, colors, food, and basic verbs. Use flashcards or a vocabulary app to make learning fun and engaging. 2. Grammar and Language Structure (20 minutes): Dedicate some time each day to learning grammar rules and language structure. Start with the basics, such as verb conjugation, noun-adjective agreement, and sentence structure. Use online resources, textbooks, or language learning apps to guide you. 3. Listening Practice (15 minutes): Improve your listening skills by regularly listening to Spanish audio content. Start with simple dialogues or podcasts at a beginner level. Focus on understanding the context, key words, and phrases. Gradually increase the difficulty as you progress. 4. Reading Comprehension (20 minutes): Set aside time each day to read in Spanish. Start with short texts, such as news articles, blog posts, or children’s books. Look up unfamiliar words and try to understand the main ideas. Gradually challenge yourself with more complex texts. 5. Speaking Practice (20 minutes): Practice speaking Spanish daily, even if it’s just by yourself. Use a mirror or record yourself to improve pronunciation. Work on common phrases, dialogues, or mini-speeches. Consider finding a language exchange partner or joining a conversation group to practice speaking with native speakers. 6. Writing Practice (20 minutes): Improve your writing skills by regularly writing in Spanish. Start with simple sentences and gradually work your way up to paragraphs or short essays. Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and expressing your thoughts clearly. Use online tools or language learning platforms for feedback. 7. Review and Recap (20 minutes): Dedicate some time at the end of each study session to review what you’ve learned. Go through your notes, vocabulary lists, and grammar rules. Test yourself with quizzes or exercises to reinforce your knowledge. 8. Weekend Immersion (2 hours): On Saturdays and Sundays, dedicate a longer study session for immersive activities. Watch Spanish movies or TV shows, listen to music, engage in conversation exchanges, or find language partners to practice with. Immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Remember, consistency is key when learning a language. It’s better to study a little bit every day than to cram all your learning into one session. Also, try to find ways to make your study sessions enjoyable and interactive. Feel free to adjust this study plan to fit your learning style and preferences. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!) If you have any questions or need further assistance, I’m here to help you along the way. |
| Please create a plan for mastering the Spanish grammar rules in 6 months. The plan should cover all the important grammar rules in Spanish, divided into 26 weeks, starting with the basic ones. |
| Sure! Here’s a 26-week study plan to master Spanish grammar rules: Week 1: Present tense verbs (regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs) Week 2: Present tense verbs (irregular verbs) Week 3: Ser vs. estar (to be) Week 4: Direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las) Week 5: Indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, os, les) Week 6: Reflexive verbs and pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) Week 7: Possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su, nuestro/a, vuestro/a, su) Week 8: Prepositions of location (en, encima de, debajo de, al lado de, etc.) Week 9: Demonstrative adjectives (este/a, ese/a, aquel/a) Week 10: Comparative and superlative forms (más/menos + adjective, el/la/los/las + más/menos + adjective) Week 11: Preterite tense verbs (regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs) Week 12: Preterite tense verbs (irregular verbs) Week 13: Imperfect tense verbs (regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs) Week 14: Imperfect tense verbs (irregular verbs) Week 15: Future tense verbs Week 16: Conditional tense verbs Week 17: Present subjunctive (regular verbs) Week 18: Present subjunctive (irregular verbs) Week 19: Indirect speech (reported speech) Week 20: Imperative mood (affirmative and negative commands) Week 21: Gerunds (gerundio) Week 22: Past participle (participio pasado) Week 23: Passive voice (voz pasiva) Week 24: Conditional clauses (si clauses) Week 25: Subjunctive mood (present and past) Week 26: Review and practice of all grammar topics covered Throughout the weeks, allocate time to practice exercises, complete worksheets, and engage in interactive activities related to each grammar rule. Utilize textbooks, online resources, and grammar reference books to aid your learning. Remember to review and practice previously learned grammar rules regularly to reinforce your understanding. Also, incorporate the grammar rules into your speaking and writing exercises to practice their application. |
| Hola, Diego! This is the first week of our 26 week plan to master Spanish grammar. The topic of the week is: Present tense verbs (regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs). Today is the first day. Please provide a plan for the week so I can master the topic effectively by the end of the week. |
| ¡Hola! Welcome to the first week of our study plan! Let’s dive into mastering the present tense verbs (regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs). Here’s a plan for the week: Day 1: 1. Start by understanding the concept of present tense and its usage in Spanish. 2. Learn the regular -ar verb endings (-o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an) and practice conjugating a few common -ar verbs like hablar (to speak), bailar (to dance), and comprar (to buy). 3. Complete exercises or interactive activities focusing on -ar verb conjugation. Use online resources, apps, or worksheets for practice. 4. Write sentences using -ar verbs to reinforce your understanding and practice conjugation. Day 2: 1. Review the regular -ar verb endings from the previous day. 2. Learn the regular -er verb endings (-o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en) and practice conjugating common -er verbs like comer (to eat), aprender (to learn), and beber (to drink). 3. Engage in exercises or activities that emphasize -er verb conjugation. 4. Write sentences using -er verbs to reinforce your understanding and practice conjugation. Day 3: 1. Recap the regular -ar and -er verb endings. 2. Learn the regular -ir verb endings (-o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en) and practice conjugating common -ir verbs like vivir (to live), abrir (to open), and compartir (to share). 3. Practice -ir verb conjugation through exercises or interactive resources. 4. Write sentences using -ir verbs to solidify your understanding and practice conjugation. Day 4: 1. Review the regular -ar, -er, and -ir verb endings. 2. Consolidate your knowledge of present tense verb conjugation by mixing different -ar, -er, and -ir verbs and their respective endings. 3. Solve more complex exercises or activities that involve conjugating verbs in context. 4. Write a short paragraph or dialogue using present tense verbs to apply what you’ve learned. Day 5: 1. Recap the entire week’s learnings on present tense verb conjugation. 2. Practice more by engaging in conversation with a language partner, online tutor, or using language exchange platforms. Focus on using present tense verbs in everyday conversations. 3. Continue writing exercises using present tense verbs to reinforce your skills. 4. Review any weak areas and seek clarification or additional resources if needed. Remember to practice regularly throughout the week, dedicating at least 15 minutes each day to present tense verbs. Consistent practice will help reinforce your understanding and improve your mastery of the topic. |
| Great! Now, let’s start with the two things below. Please explain to me with examples. 1. Start by understanding the concept of present tense and its usage in Spanish. 2. Learn the regular -ar verb endings (-o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an) and practice conjugating a few common -ar verbs like hablar (to speak), bailar (to dance), and comprar (to buy). |
| 1. The concept of present tense in Spanish: The present tense is used to express actions that are happening at the present moment or are habitual. It is one of the most commonly used verb tenses in Spanish. Understanding the concept of present tense will allow you to communicate in the present and describe ongoing actions. Example: Hablo español. (I speak Spanish.) Estudio todos los días. (I study every day.) In the first example, “hablo” is the present tense conjugation of the verb “hablar” (to speak). It indicates that the action of speaking is happening in the present. In the second example, “estudio” is the present tense conjugation of the verb “estudiar” (to study). It expresses the habitual action of studying every day. 2. Regular -ar verb endings and conjugation: Regular -ar verbs are the most common type of verbs in Spanish. To conjugate regular -ar verbs in the present tense, you need to remove the -ar ending from the infinitive form and replace it with the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Here are the endings for regular -ar verbs in the present tense: – Yo: -o – Tú: -as – Él/Ella/Usted: -a – Nosotros/Nosotras: -amos – Vosotros/Vosotras: -áis – Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: -an Example with the verb “hablar” (to speak): – Yo hablo (I speak) – Tú hablas (You speak) – Él/Ella/Usted habla (He/She/You speak) – Nosotros/Nosotras hablamos (We speak) – Vosotros/Vosotras habláis (You all speak) – Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes hablan (They/You all speak) Example with the verb “bailar” (to dance): – Yo bailo (I dance) – Tú bailas (You dance) – Él/Ella/Usted baila (He/She/You dance) – Nosotros/Nosotras bailamos (We dance) – Vosotros/Vosotras bailáis (You all dance) – Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes bailan (They/You all dance) Example with the verb “comprar” (to buy): – Yo compro (I buy) – Tú compras (You buy) – Él/Ella/Usted compra (He/She/You buy) – Nosotros/Nosotras compramos (We buy) – Vosotros/Vosotras compráis (You all buy) – Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes compran (They/You all buy) By practicing the conjugation of regular -ar verbs like “hablar,” “bailar,” and “comprar,” you’ll become more comfortable with forming sentences in the present tense and expand your vocabulary. Remember to pay attention to subject pronouns and their corresponding verb endings to ensure proper conjugation. |
It can act as your 1-on-1 language tutor
ChatGPT can be you private, one-on-one language tutor. You just need to know how to ask, like in below prompts. I live in the U.S., that’s why I asked ChatGPT to play the role of a “Latino girl in America” for Spanish learning, but you can tweak the prompts to suit your need.
| Hello ChatGPT. My name is Derek. Please play the role of a Latino girl in America, and your name is Maria. You’re always happy to help, and you’re committed to helping me improve my Spanish proficiency. Please initiate the conversation with me in Spanish, and I will respond in Spanish. After each of my responses, please correct all my mistakes, provide suggestions for improvement to make it more in line with native speakers, and explain the reasons behind the corrections in English, so that I can better understand. After correcting my mistakes, please keep the conversation going by asking me more questions and introducing new topics if necessary. Please remember, after each of my responses in Spanish, you will need to review my answer, correct all my mistakes, improve my response, and explain the reasons behind the corrections in English so that you can better fulfill the mission of “helping Derek improve my Spanish proficiency.” If you understand all the instructions, please respond with: “I understand. My mission today is to help you improve your Spanish, and I will try my best to help. And I’m Maria now.” You should not say more but wait for my further instructions. |
| I understand. My mission today is to help you improve your Spanish, and I will try my best to help. And I’m Maria now. |
| Please initiate the conversation with some common topics, like the weather. |
| ¡Hola Derek! ¿Cómo estás? Soy María. ¿Qué tal el clima por allá donde vives? |
| Está lloviendo algunos días. No bueno. No puedo salir lado. Yo ver película y tocar piano. |
| ¡Hola Derek! ¿Cómo estás? Soy María. ¿Qué tal el clima por allá donde vives? Corrections and suggestions: 1. “No puedo salir lado” should be “No puedo salir afuera.” The word “lado” means “side,” but in this context, we use “afuera” to mean “outside.” 2. “Yo ver película” should be “Voy a ver una película.” The verb “ver” should be conjugated as “voy a ver” to express the intention of doing something in the future. 3. “Tocar piano” is grammatically correct, but adding the article “el” before “piano” gives it a more natural flow. So the corrected response would be: “Está lloviendo algunos días. No está bueno. No puedo salir afuera. Veo películas y toco el piano.” Now, let’s continue the conversation. ¿Qué tipo de películas te gusta ver? ¿Y cuánto tiempo llevas tocando el piano? |
Expand your vocabulary
Ask ChatGPT to list most commonly used words in specific categories, such as animals in a zoo, tableware, clothing, and provide example sentences. You can also set very specific contexts, such as going to a Mexican restaurant, watching a footbal game with Latino friends, attending a business meeting or negotiation with Spanish speaking clients, and ask ChatGPT to get yourself prepared.
| I’m going to a Mexican restaurant. Please list the 10 most commonly used Spanish words when dinning at a Mexican restaurant, explain their meaning and provide example sentences. |
| Sure! Here are 10 commonly used Spanish words you might encounter when dining at a Mexican restaurant, along with their meanings and example sentences: 1. Hola – Hello Example sentence: “Hola, ¿me puede traer el menú, por favor?” (Hello, can you bring me the menu, please?) 2. Gracias – Thank you Example sentence: “Gracias por la recomendación, el guacamole está delicioso.” (Thank you for the recommendation, the guacamole is delicious.) 3. Por favor – Please Example sentence: “Por favor, ¿me podría traer más agua?” (Please, could you bring me more water?) 4. Menú – Menu Example sentence: “¿Puede recomendarme algún plato del menú?” (Can you recommend me a dish from the menu?) 5. Picante – Spicy Example sentence: “Me gusta la comida picante, ¿tiene alguna salsa picante?” (I like spicy food, do you have any spicy sauce?) 6. Burrito – Burrito Example sentence: “Voy a pedir un burrito de pollo y frijoles.” (I’m going to order a chicken and bean burrito.) 7. Tacos – Tacos Example sentence: “Me gustaría ordenar unos tacos de carne asada, por favor.” (I would like to order some carne asada tacos, please.) 8. Guacamole – Guacamole Example sentence: “Podemos empezar con una orden de guacamole como entrada.” (We can start with an order of guacamole as an appetizer.) 9. Salsa – Sauce Example sentence: “¿Podría traerme una salsa adicional, por favor?” (Could you bring me an extra sauce, please?) 10. Postre – Dessert Example sentence: “Me gustaría ver el menú de postres, ¿qué recomienda?” (I would like to see the dessert menu, what do you recommend?) |
In the example below, I only asked ChatGPT to provide 10 words with example sentences, but if you are interested in mastering the language, you can follow up and ask as many examples as you wish.
| I’m going to watch a football mach with my Spanish speaking friends, but I don’t know much about football and my Spanish is limited. Please list 10 commonly used Spanish words for watching football, explain to me their meaning in English, as well as the basic rules, and provide example sentences. |
| Sure! Here are 10 commonly used Spanish words related to football (fútbol) along with their meanings in English, along with some basic rules and example sentences: 1. Gol – Goal Meaning: A point scored when the ball crosses the opposing team’s goal line. Example sentence: ¡Gol! El equipo local ha anotado un gol impresionante. (Goal! The home team has scored an impressive goal.) 1. Partido – Match Meaning: A game or match between two teams. Example sentence: Estoy emocionado por el partido de fútbol esta tarde. (I’m excited about the football match this afternoon.) 3. Jugador – Player Meaning: A person who participates in the game. Example sentence: Ese jugador es muy habilidoso con el balón. (That player is very skillful with the ball.) 4. Equipo – Team Meaning: A group of players who play together. Example sentence: El equipo visitante está mostrando un gran trabajo en equipo. (The visiting team is showing great teamwork.) 5. Árbitro – Referee Meaning: The official who enforces the rules during the game. Example sentence: El árbitro ha señalado una falta en el centro del campo. (The referee has called a foul in the center of the field.) 6. Tarjeta amarilla – Yellow card Meaning: A caution given by the referee to a player as a warning. Example sentence: El árbitro muestra una tarjeta amarilla al jugador por conducta antideportiva. (The referee shows a yellow card to the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.) 7. Tarjeta roja – Red card Meaning: A card shown by the referee to indicate that a player has been sent off or ejected from the game. Example sentence: El jugador recibió una tarjeta roja después de cometer una falta grave. (The player received a red card after committing a serious foul.) 8. Saque de meta – Goal kick Meaning: A method of restarting the game when the ball has crossed the goal line, last touched by an attacking player. Example sentence: El portero realiza un saque de meta para reiniciar el juego. (The goalkeeper takes a goal kick to restart the game.) 9. Saque de esquina – Corner kick Meaning: A method of restarting the game when the ball has crossed the goal line, last touched by a defending player. Example sentence: El equipo atacante tiene un saque de esquina a su favor. (The attacking team has a corner kick in their favor.) 10. Fuera de juego – Offside Meaning: A rule that penalizes an attacking player for being nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them. Example sentence: El delantero fue señalado fuera de juego por el árbitro. (The forward was flagged offside by the referee.) |
Go deeper with the meaning
You can ask ChatGPT about unfamiliar words/vocabulary and have it provide all the usages, example sentences, dialogues, etc. It will help you master the meaning and usage of these words.
| What does “botón” mean in Spanish? Please provide all the usages, along with example sentences and dialogues in Spanish. |
| The word “botón” in Spanish has multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts. Here are some of its common usages along with example sentences and dialogues: 1. Button: – El botón de la camisa está desabrochado. (The button on the shirt is unbuttoned.) – Haz clic en el botón “Enviar” para completar el formulario. (Click on the “Submit” button to complete the form.) 2. Bud: – El rosal tiene varios botones de rosa que pronto florecerán. (The rosebush has several rose buds that will bloom soon.) – Los árboles están llenos de botones en esta época del año. (The trees are full of buds at this time of the year.) 3. Kid (informal): – Mi hermano menor es un buen botón. (My younger brother is a good kid.) – Ese botón siempre me ayuda con mis tareas. (That kid always helps me with my tasks.) 4. Hiccup: – Tengo un botón, ¿me das un susto? (I have a hiccup, can you scare me?) – Si bebes agua del revés, se te quitará el botón. (If you drink water upside down, your hiccup will go away.) 5. Push-button: – El ascensor se activa con un botón. (The elevator is activated with a push-button.) – Presiona el botón verde para abrir la puerta. (Press the green button to open the door.) 6. Sampler button (music): – El DJ utiliza los botones para mezclar la música en vivo. (The DJ uses the sampler buttons to mix the music live.) – ¿Me puedes pasar ese botón para agregar un efecto? (Can you pass me that sampler button to add an effect?) 7. Button-like object or knob: – Gira el botón para ajustar el volumen de la televisión. (Turn the knob to adjust the volume of the television.) – Este botón sirve para regular la intensidad de la luz. (This button is used to adjust the intensity of the light.) Please note that these are some of the most common usages of “botón,” but the word can have additional regional or specialized meanings in different contexts. |
You can request ChatGPT to provide the roots, etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for a given word.
| Please provide the roots, etymology, synonyms and antonyms of the Spanish word “bizarro.” |
| The Spanish word “bizarro” has different meanings and can be used in various contexts. Let’s explore its different aspects: 1. Roots and Etymology: The word “bizarro” originated from the Italian word “bizzarro,” which means “brave” or “fierce.” It was borrowed into Spanish during the 16th century. The exact etymology of the Italian word is uncertain, but it may have derived from the Basque language “bizarra,” meaning “beard” or “mustache.” Over time, the meaning of “bizarro” in Spanish has evolved. 2. Meaning: In modern usage, the word “bizarro” in Spanish has two main meanings: a. “Brave,” “valiant,” or “gallant”: This usage refers to someone who displays courage, valor, or gallantry. It can describe a person’s behavior, actions, or character traits. b. “Bizarre,” “strange,” or “odd”: This usage refers to something that is unusual, peculiar, or outlandish. It describes things that deviate from the ordinary or expected. Synonyms: a. “Brave” or “valiant” synonyms: valiente, intrépido, audaz, heroico, corajudo. b. “Bizarre” or “strange” synonyms: extraño, extravagante, raro, excéntrico, estrafalario. Antonyms: a. “Brave” or “valiant” antonyms: cobarde, pusilánime, temeroso, miedoso. b. “Bizarre” or “strange” antonyms: común, normal, corriente, convencional, típico. |
| What’s the difference between “bizarro” and “valiente”? |
| The words “bizarro” and “valiente” both convey a sense of bravery or courage, but they are used in different contexts and carry slightly different nuances. Here’s a breakdown of their differences: Bizarro: Meaning: “Bizarro” primarily conveys the idea of being brave, valiant, or gallant, but it is often used to describe a distinct kind of bravery that is characterized by a certain flamboyance or audacity. It implies a courageousness that stands out or deviates from the norm. Usage: “Bizarro” is commonly used to describe a person’s behavior, actions, or character traits. It emphasizes a particular kind of bravery that catches attention due to its unconventional or daring nature. Example: “El capitán fue un líder bizarro en el campo de batalla” (The captain was a brave leader on the battlefield). Valiente: Meaning: “Valiente” translates directly as “brave” or “valiant.” It denotes someone who displays courage, fearlessness, or strength in the face of danger or adversity. It represents a more general and straightforward concept of bravery. Usage: “Valiente” can be used to describe both people and their actions. It is a broader term that encompasses bravery in various contexts, whether it’s physical, emotional, or moral courage. Example: “El bombero demostró ser muy valiente al salvar a las personas del incendio” (The firefighter proved to be very brave by rescuing people from the fire). In summary, while both “bizarro” and “valiente” convey bravery, “bizarro” emphasizes a distinctive, flamboyant, or audacious form of courage, while “valiente” represents a more general concept of bravery without the same connotations of uniqueness or deviation from the norm. |
Master grammar rules
You can ChatGPT questions about grammar rules and usage.
| Can you explain the gender agreement rules in Spanish with real examples? |
| Certainly! In Spanish, gender agreement rules refer to the agreement of gender (masculine or feminine) between nouns, articles, adjectives, and pronouns. Let’s go through some examples to understand these rules: 1. Noun and Article Agreement: El libro (masculine) – The book La mesa (feminine) – The table In Spanish, the article (“el” or “la”) must agree in gender with the noun it accompanies. 2. Adjective Agreement: Un libro interesante (masculine) – An interesting book Una mesa grande (feminine) – A big table Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Here, “interesante” and “grande” match the gender of the respective nouns. 3. Pronoun Agreement: Ella es alta (feminine) – She is tall Él es guapo (masculine) – He is handsome Pronouns like “ella” (she) and “él” (he) must agree in gender with the person they represent. 4. Plural Agreement: Los libros (masculine plural) – The books Las mesas (feminine plural) – The tables Plural forms of nouns, articles, adjectives, and pronouns must also agree in gender. “Los” and “las” are the plural forms of “el” and “la” respectively. It’s important to note that some nouns don’t follow a clear pattern and their gender is not always predictable based on their ending. In those cases, it’s necessary to learn the gender of each noun individually. Remember that gender agreement in Spanish is based on the grammatical gender assigned to nouns, not necessarily reflecting the biological gender. |
Practice your writing with realtime feedback
You can also give ChatGPT a sentence / essay / email and ask if it has a better way to phrase it, and have it correct any grammar errors and explain the reasons.
| Please check the following Spanish content, correct any errors, explain the reasons in English, and provide a better Spanish phrasing: Ayer, fui al parque para ver pájaros. Había muchos pájaros. Yo divertido mirando. Después, decidí alimentarlos. Era un momento hermoso. |
| Ayer fui al parque para ver pájaros. Había muchos pájaros. Me divertí mucho mirándolos. Después, decidí alimentarlos. Fue un momento hermoso. Corrections and explanations: 1. “Yo divertido mirando” should be “Me divertí mucho mirándolos.” In Spanish, the verb “divertir” needs to be conjugated to agree with the subject, which in this case is “yo” (I). The correct past tense form is “divertí.” Additionally, the pronoun “me” is used to indicate that you enjoyed yourself, and “mucho” is added to emphasize the level of enjoyment. 2. “Era un momento hermoso” can be improved to “Fue un momento hermoso.” When referring to a specific moment in the past, it is more common to use the verb “ser” in the preterite tense (“fue”) rather than the imperfect tense (“era”). |
Reading comprehension and translation
Ask ChatGPT to explain or paraphrase difficult sentences/passages in a simpler way. This can help improve reading comprehension skills and learn how to explain complex things in simpler terms. ChatGPT’s responses can also serve as reading materials.
| I’m learning Spanish. Please rephrase the paragraph below in Spanish, so it’s clearer and simpler, and easier for beginners to understand and learn. Please also explain to me in English why it can be rephrased in the way you suggest. Durante una reunión de negocios, es importante mantener la claridad y la concisión en la comunicación. Es fundamental abordar los puntos clave de manera efectiva y transmitir ideas de manera persuasiva. Además, es esencial fomentar la colaboración y el trabajo en equipo para alcanzar los objetivos establecidos. La gestión del tiempo y la organización son imprescindibles para mantener el enfoque y lograr resultados exitosos. |
| Durante una reunión de negocios, es fundamental comunicarse de forma clara y concisa. Debes abordar los puntos principales de manera efectiva y transmitir tus ideas de forma persuasiva. Además, es esencial promover la colaboración y el trabajo en equipo para lograr los objetivos establecidos. También, es imprescindible gestionar el tiempo y organizarse adecuadamente para mantener el enfoque y obtener resultados exitosos. Explanation: To make the paragraph clearer and simpler for beginners, I have made a few changes. I used more straightforward vocabulary and sentence structures while maintaining the same meaning. In the first sentence, I replaced “mantener la claridad y la concisión en la comunicación” (maintain clarity and conciseness in communication) with “comunicarse de forma clara y concisa” (communicate clearly and concisely). In the second sentence, I changed “abordar los puntos clave de manera efectiva” (address key points effectively) to “abordar los puntos principales de manera efectiva” (address the main points effectively). This change simplifies the sentence without altering its meaning. In the third sentence, I replaced “transmitir ideas de manera persuasiva” (transmit ideas persuasively) with “transmitir tus ideas de forma persuasiva” (transmit your ideas persuasively). By adding “tus” (your), it clarifies that it refers to the speaker’s own ideas. In the fourth sentence, I replaced “fomentar la colaboración y el trabajo en equipo” (promote collaboration and teamwork) with “promover la colaboración y el trabajo en equipo” (promote collaboration and teamwork). This change simplifies the sentence structure. In the final sentence, I replaced “La gestión del tiempo y la organización son imprescindibles para mantener el enfoque y lograr resultados exitosos” (Time management and organization are essential to maintain focus and achieve successful results) with “Es imprescindible gestionar el tiempo y organizarse adecuadamente para mantener el enfoque y obtener resultados exitosos” (It is essential to manage time and organize oneself properly to maintain focus and obtain successful results). The change clarifies that it refers to managing one’s own time and organization, and it simplifies the sentence structure. |
ChatGPT’s training data has a cutoff date of September, 2021. If you want to ask about something from the past two years, you can paste the sentence/article in the ChatGPT input and ask for explanation/translation, or you can also use the web browsing model, as shown in the example below.
| I’m learning Spanish. Please find me the top 5 news in the U.S. today, provide a summary of each story, and then translate them into Spanish. |
| 1. Heavy police presence at Dockweiler State Beach after shots fired: A shooting was reported at Dockweiler State Beach, Los Angeles, leading to a heavy police presence. However, the police have released very few details about the incident so far 1. Presencia policial intensa en Dockweiler State Beach después de disparos: Se informó de un tiroteo en Dockweiler State Beach, Los Ángeles, lo que llevó a una fuerte presencia policial. Sin embargo, la policía ha dado muy pocos detalles sobre el incidente hasta ahora. 2. Train carrying hazardous materials derails in Montana: A train carrying hazardous materials derailed and a bridge collapsed into a river in southern Montana. The train was carrying sodium hydro sulfate, molten sulfur, and asphalt. Though there was no release of hazardous materials from the sodium hydro sulfate cars, some cars carrying molten sulfur and asphalt were compromised. No injuries were reported and the local water supply was unaffected. The cause of the derailment and bridge collapse is still unclear 2. Un tren que transporta materiales peligrosos descarrila en Montana: Un tren que transportaba materiales peligrosos descarriló y un puente colapsó en un río en el sur de Montana. El tren transportaba sulfato de hidrosodio, azufre fundido y asfalto. Aunque no hubo liberación de materiales peligrosos de los vagones que llevaban sulfato de hidrosodio, se comprometieron algunos vagones que transportaban azufre fundido y asfalto. No se informaron lesiones y el suministro de agua local no se vio afectado. La causa del descarrilamiento y el colapso del puente aún no está clara. […] |
Learn More About the Cultural
Ask it about cultural aspects of the language, such as vocabulary, pronunciation, customs, traditions, poetry, stories, songs, jokes, etc., and learn from ChatGPT’s responses.
For example, I asked ChatGPT to tell me three Latino cultural customs and explain them in both Spanish and English, and output in a table, with Spanish on the left column and English on the right column. This is what ChatGPT provided:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| El Día de los Muertos | The Day of the Dead |
| El Día de los Muertos es una festividad tradicional celebrada en México y en otros países latinoamericanos. Durante esta celebración, las familias honran y recuerdan a sus seres queridos fallecidos. Se construyen altares en los hogares y se colocan ofrendas de comida, flores, y fotografías de los difuntos. También se visitan los cementerios para limpiar y decorar las tumbas, y se llevan a cabo desfiles y festivales en las calles. Es una ocasión para celebrar la vida de aquellos que ya no están con nosotros y para reflexionar sobre la muerte como parte natural de la existencia. | The Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries. During this celebration, families honor and remember their deceased loved ones. Altars are built in homes and offerings of food, flowers, and photographs of the deceased are placed on them. People also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves, and parades and street festivals take place. It is an occasion to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us and to reflect on death as a natural part of existence. |
| Quinceañera | Quinceañera |
| La Quinceañera es una celebración importante en la vida de una joven latina que cumple 15 años. Es considerada como una transición de la niñez a la edad adulta. Durante la celebración, la quinceañera es presentada a la comunidad y se lleva a cabo una misa en su honor. Después de la ceremonia religiosa, se realiza una fiesta con música, baile y comida, a la que asisten familiares y amigos. La quinceañera suele usar un vestido elegante y es acompañada por sus damas de honor y chambelanes. Esta tradición refleja la importancia de la familia y la comunidad en la vida de una joven latina. | The Quinceañera is an important celebration in the life of a young Latina who turns 15. It is considered a transition from childhood to adulthood. During the celebration, the quinceañera is presented to the community, and a Mass is held in her honor. After the religious ceremony, a party takes place with music, dance, and food, attended by family and friends. The quinceañera typically wears an elegant dress and is accompanied by her damas de honor (maids of honor) and chambelanes (chamberlains). This tradition reflects the importance of family and community in the life of a young Latina. |
| La Sobremesa | The Sobremesa |
| La sobremesa es una costumbre común en muchos países latinoamericanos. Se refiere al tiempo que se pasa después de una comida compartida, cuando las personas continúan conversando y disfrutando de la compañía de los demás. Durante la sobremesa, se pueden discutir diversos temas, contar historias, hacer chistes o simplemente relajarse mientras se disfruta de un café, un postre o una copa. Esta tradición fomenta la unión familiar y la conexión social, y se valora el acto de compartir y disfrutar el tiempo juntos después de una comida. | The sobremesa is a common custom in many Latin American countries. It refers to the time spent after a shared meal when people continue conversing and enjoying each other’s company. During the sobremesa, various topics can be discussed, stories can be told, jokes can be made, or people can simply relax while enjoying a cup of coffee, a dessert, or a drink. This tradition fosters family bonding and social connection, and the act of sharing and enjoying time together after a meal is valued. |
Games and Challenges
Want to have some fun in your language-learning journey? You can engage in word games and challenges with ChatGPT, such as riddles, fill in the blanks, etc.
In the example below, ChatGPT suggested a few games we could play to improve my Spanish: Vocabulario (vocabulary), Adivinanzas (riddles), Historias compartidas (shared stories), Trivia cultural (cultural trivia), and Diálogos de roles (role dialogues). Done right, they could be really fun!
| I’m learning Spanish. Let’s play a game and help me improve my Spanish. What games can you play? |
| ¡Claro! Estoy aquí para ayudarte a mejorar tu español mientras nos divertimos. Aquí tienes algunas opciones de juegos que podemos jugar: 1. Vocabulario: Podemos hacer un juego de palabras donde te doy una palabra en español y tienes que darme la traducción en inglés, o viceversa. También podemos expandirlo a frases cortas. 2. Adivinanzas: Puedo darte adivinanzas en español y tienes que adivinar la respuesta en español. Las adivinanzas son una excelente manera de aprender nuevo vocabulario y practicar tu comprensión. 3. Historias compartidas: Podemos construir una historia juntos. Comienzo con una oración en español, y luego tú agregas la siguiente oración en español. Podemos alternar hasta que tengamos una historia completa y creativa. 4. Trivia cultural: Podemos jugar un juego de preguntas y respuestas sobre cultura española o latinoamericana. Puedo hacerte preguntas sobre tradiciones, comida, música, historia y mucho más. 5. Diálogos de roles: Podemos simular situaciones de la vida real y practicar diálogos en español. Por ejemplo, podríamos representar una conversación en un restaurante, en una tienda o en el aeropuerto. |
| Juguemos al juego cultural Trivia, pero empecemos con los simples. |
| ¡Claro! Comencemos con un juego de Trivia cultural. Empezaremos con preguntas sencillas. ¡Aquí tienes la primera pregunta! ¿Cuál es la capital de España? a) Barcelona b) Madrid c) Valencia d) Sevilla ¿Cuál crees que es la respuesta correcta? |
| B! |
| ¡Correcto! La respuesta correcta es b) Madrid. ¡Excelente trabajo! Ahora pasemos a la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cuál es el baile típico de Argentina? a) Salsa b) Tango c) Flamenco d) Merengue ¿Cuál crees que es la respuesta correcta? |
| ¡Juguemos a Historias compartidas, pero empecemos con las muy cortas y sencillas! Empiezo: Érase una vez en Virginia, había una niña llamada María |
| Continúo: María vivía en una pequeña casa cerca del bosque. |
You can also look at plugins for fun while learning a new language. At the time of this writing, there are two game plugins I tried:
- Crafty Clues: It’s a guessing game, similar to the riddles above, where it provides you with clues and you guess the word. You can adjust the difficulty level or challenge ChatGPT to make the game more interesting, such as requiring each word in the clue to start with the same letter as the target word, providing all clues in a specific speaking style (e.g., like a 3-year-old child), or giving each clue in the form of a poem.
- Timeport: It’s a historical context game. Choose a historical period, a specific historical event, or a historical figure you want to visit. If you’re unsure, you can ask for suggestions, and once you’ve made a choice, it will guide you through the game.
ChatGPT’s plugin store is still in its early stage and new plugins are being added every day,
Engage in conversation with ChatGPT. As long as you don’t delete it, you can enter and continue the conversation every day. For example, in the previous example of the historical context game, I chose the Qing Dynasty, and I can enter every day to continue playing with it, hypothetically assuming that I am immortal and can play until just before today.
For example, in the previous example of creating a study plan, I set a study time of 3 months (12 weeks). In the plan it formulated, the first 2 weeks (14 days) are dedicated to reading, grammar, and listening. On the first day, you can enter and inform ChatGPT that it’s the first day of study, ask it to provide reading materials for the day, grammar materials divided into 14 parts for daily completion, and also request listening materials using the mentioned voice plugin. From the second day onwards, follow a similar pattern, and during the final two weeks of review, you can ask it to provide materials for a specific day/week to test your learning progress. On the last day, you can take a comprehensive test to see if you have achieved your goals.
Regardless of the method you choose, after each practice session, you can ask ChatGPT to generate a few questions based on the content of your practice to reinforce your learning and verify your understanding. Happy learning!
Here, I chose the “Speak” plugin. Besides providing answers, it also offers example sentences for conversations. Speak is a language learning tutor plugin that considers any additional context in the user’s questions, such as tone, context, scenarios, speaking style, formality, usage notes, or others, to provide the most accurate and useful answers. Although the plugin is called “Speak,” it doesn’t actually produce spoken words. In the next section on listening and speaking, I will explain how to make ChatGPT produce speech.
The following video can help you learn words without forgetting:
Practice Dialogues or Small Talk
1. Engage in daily conversations or small talk with ChatGPT in English (either spoken or typed) to express ideas or feelings. For the speaking part, we will need a browser extension that allows ChatGPT to produce speech (which can be used in the free version): Talk-to-ChatGPT or Voice Control for ChatGPT Both of these plugins allow you to adjust the speech rate and choose different accents.
The following video demonstrates using Talk-to-ChatGPT and engaging in voice conversations with ChatGPT, even teaching you how to use ElevenLabs to have a conversation with your own voice. After installing this plugin, it will appear in the upper right corner, and you can start voice conversations with ChatGPT by clicking “START.” However, sometimes it may automatically send the message before you finish speaking, even if you’re just thinking or pausing for a moment, so it may be more suitable for fluent speakers.
2. Imagine a specific scenario, such as ordering at a restaurant, a job interview, discussing a specific work project with colleagues, or going through airport customs. Let ChatGPT engage in a conversation with you in that scenario, playing a specific role.
The following video not only teaches you how to install the extension but also demonstrates using Voice Control for ChatGPT in a bookstore scenario, having a conversation with ChatGPT acting as a bookstore clerk. After installing this plugin, it will appear at the bottom of the screen, and you need to click the microphone button before speaking, then click it again to send the message, making it suitable for those who may pause or need to think while speaking.
3. Have ChatGPT provide you with a movie/TV show scene and practice dialogues from it.
| Please provide a classic dialogue from the movie “Finding Nemo” in English, followed by Chinese translations for each line. If necessary, provide explanations and analysis in Chinese. |
4. Ask ChatGPT questions and have it correct your answers or provide suggestions.
| Please ask me questions in English to help improve my English proficiency. I will answer in English, so please correct any grammar mistakes. |
| Great Wall of China. It was built thousands of years ago and is very long. People say you can see it from space. |
During the conversation, pay attention to ChatGPT’s responses and learn from its vocabulary and grammar to improve your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. You can also have it play specific roles or discuss specific topics. In the following example (I tried many different prompts, and this one yielded better results), I asked ChatGPT to play the role of a helpful American friend to assist me in improving my English. I intentionally made some common mistakes to see if she would correct me.
Of course, you can also discuss more serious topics with her, such as #MeToo.
| Please play the role of an American English teacher and a good friend. Let’s chat in English to help me improve my English proficiency. I will respond in English, so please correct my mistakes and improve my answers to make them more in line with American usage. We can start with a question about the #MeToo topic. |
| I think it exposed a dark side of the world that has long remained unseen. |
| Please continue asking questions and chatting. |
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