How to Learn New Words
A practical framework for learning vocabulary.
What’s the most common problem with learning new vocabulary?
Memorising is a tricky thing, but being able to use new words in conversation is even worse.
To succeed, you need a system that helps you store vocabulary in context and practise it regularly.
ChatGPT is a brilliant tool for that.
Step 1. Create your personal dictionary
That’s your learning system.
You can download ‘My Dictionary. ChatGPT Prompt’
Step 2. Fill it with words and phrases
Dictate them into the dictionary (that’s my favourite)
Type them manually
Take a screenshot of the text, highlight what you’d like to learn or ask ChatGPT to extract specific items (for example, phrasal verbs, or idioms)
Step 3. Let ChatGPT organise everything
ChatGPT creates your WordMap and organises entries into categories such as:
Topic - e.g., travelling, food
Function - e.g., introduction, description
Grammar - when relevant
Source - e.g., textbook, TV show
Step 4. Practise regularly
Ask ChatGPT to show the WordMap and choose the category, you’d like to learn.
ChatGPT shows your target vocabulary with meaning, translation, and an example.
Then practise:
Matching exercise - to memorise the meanings
Gap-fill tasks - to see how words work in sentences
Production - the most important part:
Create sentences
Ask for collocations and practise them in sentences
Create short stories - absurd, funny, sad, dramatic, or light
Step 5. Practise your vocabulary every day (15+ minutes)
Speak, type, write, or sing with your dictionary -
ChatGPT gives immediate and friendly feedback.
Best wishes for your learning.
My Dictionary. ChatGPT Prompt
You manage a personalised vocabulary system called **MyDictionary**.
LANGUAGE SETTINGS
Target language = [INSERT TARGET LANGUAGE]
Native language = [INSERT NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Use these languages consistently in examples and translations.
YOUR TASK
Collect, organise, and update vocabulary entries.
Always store new words using the structure below.
Maintain internal lists (WordMap) of all categories.
ENTRY STRUCTURE
Each entry must include:
1. Topic
2. Function
3. Grammar (only when relevant)
4. Word type (noun, verb, adjective, expression)
5. Example sentence in the target language + translation into my native language
6. Notes (usage, register, pronunciation, grammar details)
7. Source (e.g., textbook, article, conversation)
WORDMAP
Track all Topics, Functions, Grammar points, Word types, and Sources.
Update the WordMap automatically when entries are added.
ADDING ENTRIES
If I write “Add to my dictionary…” OR
if I simply type/dictate a word or phrase OR
if I provide a screenshot or text with highlighted vocabulary:
→ Create a draft entry using the structure above.
→ Ask for confirmation only if necessary.
→ Save the entry when I say “OK”, “thank you”, or remain silent.
→ Modify the entry if I request edits before saving.
COMMANDS I MAY USE
- “Show my WordMap.”
- “List all Topics.”
- “List all Functions.”
- “Review [category].”
- “Show words from [source].”
3+ Principles of Vocabulary Learning
ChatGPT is really good for making a dictionary, but it's also great for practising new lexis. Just follow these rules.
1. Memorize phrases and collocations, not isolated words
Your brain often treats common multi-word phrases as a single memory chunk, so learning do homework is not harder than learning homework.
Learn: do homework, enjoy myself, make mistakes as full units.
2. Practice vocabulary by creating sentences and short stories
That's exactly how you use new language.
If you'd like the new lexis to pop up when you're talking, practise it:
Well, I know I should do my homework, but I'll enjoy myself later, even if I make mistakes.
3. Refresh new phrases in context
Use real-life scenarios. For example:
dialogues at the airport, restaurants
describe people you know
make jokes, tell stories
* Note: When it's possible, practise new words and phrases in the first person: I, my. This make the practice personal.
** Second note: Practise every day for 15+ minutes. Tell ChatGPT, “I'd like to work with my dictionary,” and do it.
Best wishes for your learning.
How to Practise with ChatGPT
You’ve downloaded the MyDictionary ChatGPT prompt, explored the main principles of effective vocabulary learning, and started adding new entries to your dictionary from textbooks, videos, conversations, books, and everyday life.
So what’s next?
Now we enter the main part of the cycle - practice, to shift new words from passive store to active use.
Step 1. Choose your category
Ask ChatGPT: “Show me all categories.” Pick the topic you want to revise, for example, Unit 2 the textbook, or Travel, or Emotions.
Step 2. Review the entries
Read your selected words with definitions, translations, and examples.
This is your warm-up.
Step 3. Matching exercise
Ask ChatGPT to generate a matching exercise to connect the word or expression and its meaning.
Example:
Match the word to its meaning:
to come across — to find something by chance
a breakthrough — an important discovery
to figure out — to understand something
Step 4. Gap fill
This is where ChatGPT suggests short sentences with missing words or phrases you are practising.
Example:
Yesterday I finally ______ the solution.
She had a major ______ in her research.
I ______ this article while reading the news.
Step 5. Production
Now you move to active use — the most important stage. Here you can:
create your own sentences
dictate short stories
ask ChatGPT for new collocations and create sentences or stories with them
receive instant and friendly feedback
Repeat the production step regularly.
You can download ‘My Practice. ChatGPT prompt’.
Best wishes for your learning.
Practice. ChatGPT prompt
You are the practice assistant for **MyDictionary**.
Follow the steps exactly and always wait for my answer before continuing.
Do not skip steps, do not add new vocabulary, and keep feedback short and clear.
1. Categories
Retrieve categories from MyDictionary (WordMap).
Show the list and ask which one I want to practise.
Wait.
2. Entries
After I choose a category, select 8–12 entries.
For each entry show: word, short English meaning, example sentence, translation.
Ask if I’m ready to practise.
Wait.
3. Matching
Create a meaning-matching exercise using all entries.
Wait for my answers, then check briefly.
4. Gap-fill
Create gap-fill sentences using all entries (one per item).
Wait for my answers, then check briefly.
Ask if I want more gap-fill or production.
Wait.
5. Production
Give ONE task:
• create sentences using all items, OR
• provide collocations and ask me to use them, OR
• give a storytelling prompt using all items.
Wait for my answers, then check briefly.
Ask if I want another round or a new category.
Wait.