ChatGPT has been touted as the ‘iPhone moment’ of artificial intelligence in the sense that it revolutionised the way we typically work. In a mere two months since its launch last November, it has galvanised 100 million users to sign up. It has dominated newspaper headlines the world over because it demonstrated the ability to pass certain renowned law examinations.

ChatGPT makes use of existing content on the Internet to create new content, so there’s no telling the validity and legitimacy of the sources it compiles the content from. Nonetheless, educators can utilise it as a tool to complement their teaching if they are cognisant of ChatGPT’s limitations.

Because I’m an English teacher, I curated the ways English teachers can make use of ChatGPT.

1. To generate journal prompts

I typed “personal recount topics for junior high school students” and waited for bated breath for ChatGPT to return the following result.

A memorable vacation you took with your family or friends.

The day you achieved a personal goal or accomplishment.

The first time you performed in front of an audience, such as a school play or talent show.

A time when you overcame a fear or obstacle.

A special family celebration, such as a birthday or holiday.

A difficult decision you had to make and how you came to that decision.

A time when you stood up for what you believed in.

A unique cultural experience you had, such as trying new food or learning a new dance.

A time when you had to deal with a challenging situation, such as a disagreement with a friend or a difficult test.

A meaningful conversation you had with someone who impacted your life.

I love that the prompts are composed of synonyms and examples, so they readily unpack the meaning for students. On the flip side, they can be wordy and confuse students who don’t know what to focus on. So, tweaking of the prompts is necessary to cater to the learning needs of your students.

2. To use vocabulary in context and craft stories that are tailored to your students' interest

Youngsters these days dread reading, so perhaps the best way to get them to read is to write stories that appeal to their idiosyncratic interests. But of course, teachers don't have that silver of luxury to create personalized stories for their students. This is where ChatGPT comes to the rescue.

I got one student to type all the words that he had been struggling to pronounce and spell. He is into warfare and tanks, so I asked ChatGPT to write me a 100-word tank story that included my target words:

He read aloud the above story. And asked me for another story about a battle between a WWII rank and a modern tank. Who would win this battle? Again, ChatGPT responded in seconds:

As the World War 2 tank rumbled through the battlefield, the crew thought they were invincible. But as they turned a corner, they came face-to-face with a modern tank, with a sign indicating it was state-of-the-art. The old tank's crew couldn't believe their eyes - how could they possibly stand a chance against this advanced machinery?

But as the battle commenced, the World War 2 tank proved to be a formidable opponent. It easily dodged the modern tank's shots and fired back with accuracy, proving that our ancestors were no less skilled in warfare. The crew forgot their initial doubts and fought on, encouraged by their success. In the end, it was a very close fight, but the World War 2 tank emerged victorious. It just goes to show that sometimes, old is better than new.

ChatGPT could be an effective way to enthuse your students about reading and internalise unfamiliar words that they are struggling to grasp.

3. To act as an Aunt Agony

Your student may unburden his or her problems in front of you. But you may not have the proper headspace to dish out workable advice. Or you feel helpless with respect to how you can help him or her.

I have a student who has been struggling with anger management for some time. One day, I just typed his problems into ChatGPT, wondering if this A.I chatbot could surface any insights that I had inadvertently missed. Below is our exchange:

So, I copied ChatGPT's tips and sent them over to my student. Actually, I don't know if these tips will help him regulate his behaviour but I think I would score some brownie points for taking his problems seriously. I guess I hope that recognising the authenticity of his feelings will kinda spur him on to take small steps towards managing his anger. 

4. To update your cover letter

I gave ChatGPT specific prompts as I wanted my cover letter to highlight my three greatest strengths: adaptable, creative and enthusiastic. I then copied my entire resume in the chat box.

This was the cover letter that was generated for me:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position] role at [Company]. With over 10 years of experience in teaching English in Singapore, Laos, and Japan, I am confident that I have the necessary skills and attributes to excel in this role.

One of my greatest strengths is my adaptability. Having taught students of all ages, from primary to pre-tertiary levels, I am comfortable in any educational setting. Furthermore, I have experience teaching in different countries, which has exposed me to a diverse range of cultures and educational systems. This has helped me to develop an open-minded approach to teaching and the ability to adapt to new situations quickly.

I am also a creative educator who believes in making learning fun and engaging for students. I have utilized various tools such as ICT tools like Kahoot! and manipulatives to enliven English learning, and I am not afraid to think outside the box when it comes to curriculum planning. I am always looking for new and innovative ways to teach my students and help them develop critical thinking skills.

Finally, I am an enthusiastic educator who is passionate about improving myself and my students. I believe that enthusiasm is contagious, and I strive to create a positive and dynamic learning environment in my classroom. I am also passionate about foreign languages, movies, travel, karaoke, writing, running, and meeting new people, which has helped me to connect with my students and colleagues on a deeper level.

In addition to my teaching experience, I have also developed a range of other skills that I believe would be valuable in this role. I have experience in curriculum planning, presentation skills, and cross-cultural communication skills, which would be beneficial when working with a diverse range of students and stakeholders.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your team and contribute to your organization's success.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Here's a pro tip. If you are not satisfied with the response ChatGPT has given you, you can click on 'Regenerate response' and ChatGPT will give you another answer. So I did this for my cover letter and here's the second version:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the position at your organization that values adaptability, creativity and enthusiasm, as I believe that my experience and skill set aligns perfectly with these attributes.

As an educator with over ten years of experience, I have had the opportunity to teach English in Singapore, Laos and Japan, to students of all ages, from primary to tertiary levels. This experience has honed my ability to adapt to different cultures, learning styles and educational systems, and I am confident that I can bring this adaptability to any organization. In addition, my experience in curriculum planning and program development has taught me to be creative and think outside the box, and I believe that my skills can be valuable in developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

Throughout my career, I have remained enthusiastic about my work as an educator, and I have always been passionate about improving myself and my students. My outgoing and nurturing personality has allowed me to build close relationships with students, colleagues and external stakeholders, and I have consistently received positive feedback on my ability to engage and inspire learners. As someone who loves foreign languages, movies, travel, karaoke, writing, running and meeting new people, I am confident that I can bring this enthusiasm to any workplace and foster a positive and productive work culture.

As you will see from my attached resume, I have also developed a diverse range of skills that are relevant to the position you are offering. My pedagogical skills, writing skills, presentation skills, and cross-cultural communication skills have been honed through a variety of roles, including as a General Paper tutor, Communication Skills lecturer, Assistant Language Teacher and English teacher. I have also been involved in various committees, such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association, where I served as the Events Officer and Secretary.

In addition, I am fluent in English, Mandarin and Japanese, and have a basic knowledge of Thai. I have also worked as a Japanese-English translator, and have promoted Japan as an attractive tourist destination at various travel fairs.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills, experience and enthusiasm to your organization, and I believe that I can make a valuable contribution to your team. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

    Honestly, it was quite impressive witnessing ChatGPT curate a coherent narrative about me based on my disparate experiences. Of course, integrity rules and I'm not just gonna submit this cover letter should I hope to switch jobs in the future. But I would imagine that this tool would alleviate a lot of anxiety since I can use it as a guide to generate the backbone and then fill in the spaces with my zany words and wacky personality. LOL.