Reflections on Elevating English Learning with AI: part 2
經過上次 實驗用 AI 幫助學習英文 ,我繼續淬鍊著相關使用的prompt, 還有加入 Thinking in English ,這個其實也不是什麼高級技巧,終旨其實就是用英文去想英文,所以你會發現事情依然是回到我上次那篇結論 單字量
很重要!! 只要你盡量減少用中文去關聯英文,自然而然,你一定會擴增你的單字量的~ 至於 side project 還沒動工,工作意外的忙碌,不單單是事情雜,內心層面上有不小程度的累,我還沒調試好怎麼合理分配時間給不同事情,而且更多的是工作後的疲勞感,不知不覺自己又開始懶散,心境上需要調適,這真的是一個永遠不會解決的問題,至少對於目前的我工作多年後,感覺依然重複著這個循環。雖然你的周遭隨時都會變,你要面對的事情不是一層不變,沒有所謂一招平天下的做法,你的方式必定也要跟著調整,就像是股票總是會漲漲跌跌,但是每次的原因都不一樣那樣~ 不過講這麼多,就是可能又要回到所謂的 取捨
老問題了,有點煩啊!!
總之先來講講我常用 prompt
以下是我目前常用的 prompt
下面是針對查詢單字
Define the word "${1:`(current-kill 0)`}" in English, including its IPA pronunciation, phonetic breakdown, and Oxford Phonetics Respelling. Explain its prefix, suffix, and root word. Provide its meanings in different contexts, along with example sentences for each. Additionally, list common collocations and relevant synonyms, clarifying their contextual differences and whether they can be used interchangeably. Provide a way of thinking in English to learn this word.
Here is an example using the word “abase”:
---
📘 Definition of "abase"
Abase (verb) — to lower someone in rank, position, reputation, or self-respect; to degrade or humble.
🔤 Pronunciation
IPA: əˈbeɪs
Phonetic Breakdown: uh-BAYS
Oxford Phonetics Respelling: ə-BAYS
🧱 Word Structure: Prefix, Root, and Suffix
Prefix: a- (from Latin, meaning "to" or "toward")
Root: base (from Latin basis, meaning “foundation” or “low part”)
Suffix: (none explicitly; "-e" is part of the verb form)
💡 So, abase literally means "to bring toward the base (bottom)" — hence, to lower someone in status or dignity.
---
### 💡 Meanings in Different Contexts
#### 1. Social/Honor Context Meaning: To humiliate or belittle someone publicly or emotionally. Example: > The general refused to abase himself before the enemy commander.
#### 2. Moral/Ethical Context Meaning: To lower one's own dignity, often voluntarily or out of shame. Example: > She would never abase herself by begging for his forgiveness.
#### 3. Religious or Literary Context Meaning: To humble oneself before a higher power or authority. Example: > He chose to abase himself before God in prayer and repentance.
---
### 🧩 Common Collocations
abase oneself
be abased
utterly abased
refuse to abase
feel abased
---
### 📚 Relevant Synonyms and Differences
Synonym Meaning Context Interchangeable? Degrade Lower in dignity, rank, or moral character Formal, broad usage ✅ Often Humiliate Cause someone to feel ashamed Emotional/social contexts ✅ Sometimes Belittle Dismiss someone as unimportant Psychological, not formal ranking 🚫 Not always Demean Treat as lacking in worth or dignity Emotional/social ✅ Often Mortify Cause extreme embarrassment or shame Strong emotional reaction 🚫 Different emphasis Lower Make less in amount or status Generic ✅ With caution ---
### 🧠 How to Think in English to Learn "Abase"
> “To abase is to bring someone down to the base level — socially, emotionally, or morally.”
Imagine someone standing tall and then being pushed downward — not physically, but in terms of respect or status.
Visual trick: Think of the word "base" as the bottom floor, and “abasing” someone is pushing them down to that floor.
Use the phrase: > “I will not abase myself” → “I won’t lower myself just to please others.”
---
Now, define the word: [INSERT TARGET WORD HERE] using the same format and level of detail as shown above.
這個算是這些日子一來累積的心得淬鍊的prompt! 不過我在寫這篇blog的時候,有另外測試一下單純用一個比較簡單的 prompt 如下
Act as a pro English teacher, you need to give a comprehensive explanation of the vocabulary “spearhead” and the method to memorize the word.
只能說隨著AI被越來越多人使用後,給出的reponse也越來越好,幾乎不太需要給到太詳細的prompt。下面是對應的回答!
### Comprehensive Explanation of the Vocabulary: Spearhead
#### 1. Definition & Core Meaning Spearhead (noun/verb) originates from the literal meaning of the sharp, pointed head of a spear—the part that pierces first in battle. Over time, it evolved into a metaphorical term used in modern English to describe leadership, initiative, or the leading force in an action or movement.
As a Noun:
The leading person/group in an activity, campaign, or movement.
Example: "She was the *spearhead of the environmental protest, organizing rallies and petitions."*
The foremost part of an advancing force (military or figurative).
Example: "The elite troops acted as the *spearhead of the invasion."*
As a Verb:
To lead or initiate an action, campaign, or project.
Example: "The CEO *spearheaded the company’s digital transformation."*
To be at the forefront of a movement or change.
Example: "Scientists are *spearheading research into renewable energy."*
---
#### 2. Etymology (Word Origin)
Old English: "sper" (spear) + "heafod" (head) → "sperheafod" (spearhead).
Military Roots: Originally referred to the pointed tip of a spear used in combat.
Metaphorical Shift: By the 19th century, it began describing leaders or pioneering efforts in non-military contexts (e.g., business, politics, science).
---
#### 3. Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Noun) Synonyms (Verb) Antonyms Leader Lead Follow Pioneer Initiate Lag behind Vanguard Champion Obstruct Front-runner Head (up) Hinder Driving force Orchestrate Resist ---
#### 4. Common Collocations (Word Partners)
Noun Collocations Verb Collocations Spearhead of (a movement) Spearhead a (campaign/project) Spearhead for (change) Spearhead efforts to (reform/solve) Act as the spearhead Spearhead the development of (technology) The spearhead behind (an initiative) Spearhead negotiations Example Sentences:
"Gandhi was the *spearhead of India’s independence movement."*
"The NGO is *spearheading a campaign to ban plastic waste."*
"Elon Musk *spearheaded the development of reusable rockets."*
---
#### 5. Usage in Different Contexts
Context Example Business "The marketing team *spearheaded the new ad campaign."* Politics "The senator *spearheaded the bill to reform healthcare."* Science/Tech "NASA *spearheaded the mission to Mars."* Social Movements "Malala Yousafzai *spearheaded the fight for girls' education."* Military "The special forces acted as the *spearhead of the operation."* ---
### 6. How to Memorize "Spearhead" Effectively #### A. Mnemonics (Memory Tricks)
Visual Imagery:
Imagine a spear piercing through a barrier, symbolizing breaking new ground or leading the way.
Picture a general holding a spear, charging forward—this represents leadership.
Word Association:
"Spear" (sharp, aggressive) + "Head" (leader, front) → "Sharp leader".
Think of "head of the spear" = first to act.
Rhyming/Sound Link:
"Spear-head" sounds like "steer ahead" (to guide forward).
#### B. Spaced Repetition & Active Recall
Flashcards: Write the word on one side and definition + example on the other.
Front: Spearhead (v)
Back: To lead an effort. Ex: "She spearheaded the charity drive."
Quiz Yourself: After 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week, recall the meaning without looking.
#### C. Usage in Sentences (Personal Connection)
Write 3 original sentences using "spearhead" in different contexts:
"My brother *spearheaded the family’s move to Canada by handling all the paperwork."*
"The tech startup *spearheaded a revolution in AI-powered healthcare."*
"As team captain, I need to *spearhead our strategy for the championship."*
#### D. Root Word Analysis
Break it down:
Spear = a weapon for attacking.
Head = the front part.
Combined meaning = the attacking front → leading force.
#### E. Opposite Approach (Contrast Learning)
Think of antonyms to reinforce meaning:
"While some *follow, others spearhead."*
#### F. Real-World Application
News Articles: Find recent examples (e.g., "WHO spearheads global vaccine distribution").
Movies/TV: Note leaders in films (e.g., "Black Panther’s T’Challa spearheads Wakanda’s defense").
--- ### 7. Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌ "Spearhead" as a passive role → Incorrect: "He was spearheaded by his team." (✅ "He spearheaded the team.") ❌ Confusing with "spear" alone → "Spear" = weapon; "spearhead" = leadership. ❌ Overusing in casual speech → Best for formal/professional contexts.
--- ### 8. Practice Exercise (Test Yourself!) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "spearhead":
The environmental group __ a campaign to save the rainforest. (spearheaded)
As the __ of the movement, she inspired thousands. (spearhead)
The company is __ efforts to reduce carbon emissions. (spearheading)
Answers:
spearheaded
spearhead
spearheading
--- ### 9. Final Summary
Aspect Key Takeaway Meaning Lead or initiate an action (noun/verb). Origin From "spear" (weapon) + "head" (front). Synonyms Pioneer, lead, champion. Memory Trick Imagine a spear piercing forward = leading the charge. Usage Tip Best for formal, professional, or motivational contexts. --- ### 10. Challenge Task (Advanced Learning)
Debate Topic: "Can a single person truly spearhead large-scale social change, or is collective effort more important?"
Writing Prompt: "Describe a historical figure who spearheaded a major movement. How did their leadership shape the outcome?"
--- Final Thought: "A spearhead doesn’t just move forward—it *breaks barriers and inspires others to follow."* Use this word when describing bold leadership or groundbreaking initiatives!
Would you like additional exercises or real-world examples? 😊
他回答的面向其實大概有7成跟我的精緻化的prompt差不多~ 有鑑於這個實驗,所以其他像是 rephrase 或是 翻譯的prompt部分,我就寫得簡短了
Rephrase
rephrasing the sentence “ ” to sound more natural, you need to give comprehensive analysis about grammar issue, which part is awkward even if is grammatically correct
Translate
please provide a brief explanation of the tone, context, collocations, and phrase usage in the following sentence, and translate it into natural, fluent target language
不過當然老話一句,AI是有可能多少會出錯的,所以最好還是多方驗證一下AI的回答~ 話雖如此,現在我的體感上是滿OK的,對於幫助學習英文上十分有效益。
另外現在很多browser也都會有結合一些AI功能
甚至是搜尋引擎本身也開始會直接顯示AI整理的搜尋結果給你,還有像是我用 edge broswer 內建的 copilot,我常在閱讀英文文章的時候,遇到有疑問的,就會直接問,就不用另外開 chatgpt, claude, open web ui 或是其他的AI應用程式,不用切換分頁直接就可以問,如下圖
甚至不需要透過,copilot的視窗,直接在原本搜尋引擎輸入,有些也會展示 AI 的搜尋結果比如下圖
不過當然給得回答沒有我前面prompt的詳細就是了!而且這些都是免費的,只能說學習資源取得比以前越來越容易,不過確實這些是需要建立在懂得自學的人,而且也需要家裡有網路! 最近也很常看到一些新聞關於AI眼鏡直接內建AI翻譯功能,的確或許之後的語言隔閡可能會因爲這樣開始消失也說不定,不過具體要多久就不知道了,也很明顯一定會出現“那還要學英文嗎?”的言論出來,現在很常看到AI可以XXX,那你還要學XX嗎?YY才是你應該要學的,我只能說這些事情一樣看目的,如果只是單純論溝通,或許之後可以不用學英文也說不定,只要確定AI翻譯幾乎沒問題的話~ 但是如果你目的是想要閱讀,比如閱讀某個英文原著,那還是自己學英文會比較好,畢竟經過翻譯後,很有可能無法完美表達出原文的味道! 很大部分是體驗的問題,我知道一派利益導向的人,會說看翻譯的書效率高很多。總之咧,確實AI對許多事情的影響持續中,而且有越來越快的趨勢呢,而且總默默覺得大家開始期待速成,畢竟有了AI的幫助可以快速達到目的,有誰還想要慢慢來? 不過說實在的,對於這方面的事情,有點隱憂,之後有心得再來談論這塊好了。
關於口說方面
如果只是單純自己講講英文,其實現在 chatgpt, gemini 都有口說模式,甚至是之前很夯的 grok 的 wife ani 都可以練習對話,不過這些就是單純講話而已,比較難有feedback跟你說哪裡需要改進,之前是有看過如果是chatgpt plus 方案可以客製化一些指令,來達到提供回饋,不過效果好像也還好就是了~
其實針對於剛剛講的chatgpt的客製化功能,你用 open web ui (之前我其他文章就有提到過,算是我蠻喜歡用的免費自架平臺),你可以自己定製使用的model,這邊自己撰寫一下 system prompt,類似下面這樣
When the user ask for starting a conversation, you need to create a conversation based on our current chat to test my understanding of vocabulary. Choose 10 words and guide the dialogue—start with a topic, wait for my response, and then continue the exchange as if we were having a real conversation. You need to give some feedback about the user's reponses when the conversation ends.
就會有個簡易對話的模式
我個人是覺得用起來的感覺還行~ 我這邊做了簡單回答後,他後續也有給建議。
不過目前來講如果想要更有效用靠AI來提升不管是文字對話或是口說,可能還是市面上部分需要花費的app效果可能會比較好,畢竟他們的AI包含了發音矯正,而且有可能是經過特別訓練的model也說不定,加上主題也比較多元化。
之後
對於 prompt 來輔助學習英文,個人覺得已經算是淬鍊到一個滿ok的程度了,接下來剩下對話跟口說的部分,還需要繼續實驗一下,雖然已經有個雛形就是了。 最後的目標就像之前說的會寫個 side project (English learning app ) 來提升這部分的體驗(如同 心流 flow 提到的)。