How to Make Your Own English Learning Gemini Gem

In a post on October 9th (click here to go directly) I shared a Google Gem I created for grammar practice. In that gem, it asks you what your level is and, what grammar topic you'd like to practice or gives suggestions. 

However, it is very easy to create your own English tutor app. With Gemini Gems (or with most available AIs like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and others), you can make a special AI helper for English learning! Here I will write about how Gem can help you read, practice vocabulary, and answer questions, just for you.

Let’s see how you can make your own English-learning Gem using prompt writing!

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What Is a Gemini Gem?

A Gemini Gem is a custom AI expert. You decide what it does and how it acts. For example, you can make a Gem to help you learn English, as if with a reading tutor or a vocabulary coach.

Gems can:

• Make reading exercises
• Ask you questions
• Give you feedback
• Use friendly or serious tones
• Help you at your English level (A1, A2, B1, etc.)

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How to Make Your Own English-Learning Gem

Here are easy steps to make your own Gem for English practice:

1. Choose Your Goal

What do you want your Gem to help with? For English, maybe:

• Reading practice
• Vocabulary quizzes
• Understanding texts

2. Pick a Tone

How should your Gem sound?

• Friendly (“Great job! Let’s try another.”)
• Patient (“No problem. Let’s try again.”)
• Serious (“Please answer the next question.”)

3. Write a Prompt

A prompt is a message that tells your Gem what to do. The better your prompt, the better your Gem will help you!

Example of a sample Prompt to practice reading:

You are a friendly English reading tutor.
Ask me what topic I want to read about.
Ask my English level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).
Write a short reading at my level.
After the reading, ask me 5 True/False questions, one at a time.
Wait for my answer after each question.
Next, ask 5 vocabulary questions with choices a, b, c, d.
Then, ask 5 more multiple choice questions about the reading, one at a time.
Give feedback after every answer.
At the end, ask one discussion question and give advice.
Always use my English level for your answers.

You can copy this prompt, or change it to fit your own style!

4. Add Special Instructions

You can tell your Gem to:

• Wait for your answer before moving on
• Keep questions simple or more difficult
• Give feedback at your level
• Balance True/False and a, b, c, d answers

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Why Make Your Own English Gem?

• You get practice at your own level
• You choose the topics you like
• Your Gem can always help you, anytime
• Your Gem never gets bored with doing the same thing over and over
• You can improve your English faster

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Tips for Good Prompts

• Be clear and simple
• Say what you want step by step
• Tell your Gem to wait for your answers
• Ask your Gem to use your English level

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Try It Yourself!

Think of a topic (like travel, animals, food, or sports) and try writing your own prompt.
For example:

You are a patient English teacher. Give me a short reading about food at the CEFR A2 level. Then ask 3 True/False questions, 3 vocabulary multiple choice questions, and 1 discussion question. Wait for my answer after each question.

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Final Advice

Making your own English-learning Gemini Gem is easy and fun! Just decide what you want, write a simple prompt, and let your Gem help you learn. Try different prompts and see what works best for you. You can even ask for changes while you are using the app. For example, "Please use easier English" or "I don't understand." 

The more you practice, the better you will get at both English and writing prompts!

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Good luck! If you have questions or want to share your prompt, write a comment below. Happy learning!

Introducing a Grammar Practice App (made with Google GEM)

 Introducing a Grammar Practice App (made with Google GEM)

In this blog I'd like to share a simple grammar practice app I also made with Google GEM. The direct link for the GEM is here...

https://gemini.google.com/gem/1WyVqYe6aWM2o_DEXy8BbtOgHS9Gy8ijL?usp=sharing

...but You can find it on my Google Site here:

https://sites.google.com/nua.ac.jp/tasdl/home.

My students at Nagoya University of the Arts use this app to practice English grammar at the the CEFR A2 level, but you can choose any from (A1–C1).

What it does

• Asks you whether you would like to talk with the Gem in English or Japanese
• Asks you what your language level is (CEFR, IELTS, Eiken, TOEIC, TOEFL)
• Asks what grammar topic you want to practice, for example: present simple, past simple vs. present perfect, articles, prepositions, comparatives, conditionals, reported speech. You can choose what you want to study or it will give you a list of things you might study at this level
• Gives level-appropriate practice:
  • Fill-in-the-gap
  • Sentence transformation
  • Short writing or dialogue prompts
• Gives one question at a time (so you can focus)
• Adapts to your answers:
  • If you are correct, it gives a slightly harder task or a related new point
  • If you need help, it gives a short, simple explanation and an easier step
• Uses a friendly tone and clear language at your level
• Gives immediate feedback on every answer:
  • Correction
  • Short “why” explanation of the grammar rule
  • A tip on how to reach the next CEFR step

How to use it

1. Go to the Google Site and sign in with your Google Account (links above).
2. Choose your language level (CEFR, EIKEN IELTS, TOEIC, TOEFL)
3. Choose your grammar topic, or ask the app to choose for you.
4. Answer one question at a time (gap-fill, transformation, or a short sentence).
5. Read the feedback:
   • See the correct answer
   • Read a simple reason why
   • Get one tip to improve
6. Keep going. The app will adapt: it gets a little harder if you are ready, or gives support if you need it.

Why it helps

• Practice is personalized to your level and topic
• Clear, level-appropriate explanations (A1–B1 simple; B2–C1 more detailed)
• Immediate corrections help you learn faster
• Adaptive steps keep the challenge right for you
• Focus is always on grammar progress (A1 to C1)

Examples of topics by CEFR level

• A1: be, have got, present simple, there is/are, a/an, plurals, in/on/at (time/place)
• A2: past simple, countable/uncountable + some/any/much/many, comparatives/superlatives, going to, present continuous
• B1: present perfect (ever/never/for/since), first conditional, modal verbs for ability/requests/advice, relative clauses (who/which/that)
• B2: present perfect continuous, second conditional, passive voice (present/past), reported speech (statements/requests), complex comparatives
• C1: mixed conditionals, advanced modal meanings (deduction/speculation), reduced relative clauses, cleft sentences for emphasis

Choose your level, pick a grammar topic, and begin. Steady practice, clear feedback, real progress.

Introducing a Reading Practice App (made with Google GEM)

 Introducing a Reading Practice App (made with Google GEM)

I’m happy to introduce a simple reading practice app I made with Google GEM. You can find it on my Google Site here: https://sites.google.com/nua.ac.jp/tasdl/home. The direct link to the Google Gem is https://gemini.google.com/gem/45a679eb56f7?usp=.

What the Google Gem does:

• Asks your CEFR level (A1–C1)
• Asks what topic you want to read about
• Gives you a short text at your level
• Checks understanding with True/False and multiple-choice questions
• Asks one follow-up question
• Gives friendly feedback with tips to improve

How to use it

1. Go to the Google Site and sign in with your Google Account (links above).
2. Choose your CEFR level (A2 is common for our students).
3. Choose a topic you like (for example: art, music, animals, food, travel, technology).
4. Read the text for your level and topic.
5. Answer the T/F and multiple-choice questions.
6. Answer one short follow-up question.
7. Read the feedback and try again.

Why it helps

• You read topics you enjoy
• The level fits your skills
• You learn from mistakes with clear feedback
• Short, regular practice builds confidence

Please free to explore the other options available on the TASDL page!

 

Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab: A Great Tool for Learning English

Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab is a free website that helps people learn English, especially listening skills. Since 1998, this site has offered many activities for learners of all levels, from beginner to advanced. It focuses on real-life English, with recordings that use different voices, speeds, and accents. These activities make it easier for learners to understand English in everyday situations.

Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab can be accessed at https://www.esl-lab.com/.

What Does Randall’s ESL Lab Offer?

The website is divided into different sections to help learners find the right activity for their level:

General Listening Quizzes

These quizzes are helpful for people who want to practice their listening at three different levels:

• Easy: For beginners who are learning basic words and phrases. The recordings are slow and simple.
• Intermediate: For learners who understand more vocabulary and want to hear English at a natural speed.
• Difficult: For advanced learners who need a challenge. The recordings are fast and use complex words.

Special Listening Activities

• English Interviews: These are conversations with native English speakers on different topics. They are good for learning how people talk in real life.
• Life Stories: These activities use stories about real-life events. The recordings have different voices and accents to help learners understand many ways English is spoken.
• Culture Videos: These short videos teach about culture, holidays, traditions, and daily life in English-speaking countries.

Extra Learning Resources

In addition to listening, Randall’s ESL Lab also has other tools to help learners improve their English.

Grammar Lessons

The site has grammar lessons for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced students. These lessons explain how to use English grammar in sentences and real conversations.

Vocabulary Quizzes and Lessons

Learners can build their vocabulary with many lessons and quizzes. These activities focus on words used in everyday life, such as for shopping, travel, or work. They also help learners practice using words in the right way.

Language Games

The language games on Randall’s ESL Lab make learning English fun and interactive. These games are designed to help learners practice grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills in an enjoyable way. For example, there are matching games where learners pair words with meanings, fill-in-the-blank activities to complete sentences with the correct words, and quizzes that test knowledge of idioms or phrases. These games are perfect for breaking up traditional study routines, making learning feel less like work and more like play. They are ideal for both individual learners and classroom settings, as they encourage participation and focus while reinforcing key concepts.

Idioms and Cultural Insights

Idioms, like "break the ice" or "hit the books," can be hard to understand for new learners. Randall’s ESL Lab explains these expressions and shows how they are used in daily life. This helps learners sound more natural when speaking English.

Self-Study Guide

One of the most useful tools on the site is the Self-Study Guide, which helps learners organize their studies and use the website effectively. The guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to pick activities based on your level (easy, intermediate, or difficult) and goals, such as improving listening, vocabulary, or cultural knowledge.

The guide also encourages active learning by suggesting techniques such as listening to recordings multiple times, writing down new words, practicing speaking by repeating sentences, and summarizing what you heard to check your understanding. It even helps learners set goals, like completing one activity per day or focusing on specific topics like travel or business vocabulary.

Additionally, the guide offers advice on tracking your progress. For example, you can monitor how much better you understand recordings over time, how many new words you’ve learned, or how confident you feel in listening to English. For learners studying alone, this guide works as a personal roadmap to stay motivated and organized.

Pronunciation Practice

If you want to improve your accent, Randall also recommends another site called TrainYourAccent.com. It focuses on helping learners speak clearly and confidently.

Why Use Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab?

Randall’s ESL Lab is a great resource for learners because:

• It offers activities for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
• The lessons are free and available online anytime.
• It helps learners practice real-life English, not just textbook language.
• It has extra resources like games, grammar lessons, and cultural videos.
• The language games make learning fun and engaging, providing a break from traditional lessons.
• The Self-Study Guide helps learners stay organized, set goals, and track their progress, making it a perfect tool for independent learners.

How to Get Started

To start learning, visit Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab and choose an activity that matches your level. You can practice listening, learn new words, and improve your grammar all in one place. Whether you’re studying alone or with a teacher, this site has everything you need to improve your English.

Happy learning!

Using ChatGPT for Speaking Practice

ChatGPT is a fantastic tool to practice speaking English. You can use it on your phone or computer. Here’s how to get started!

How to Get ChatGPT

• Android: The ChatGPT app is free to download from the Google Play Store.
• Desktop: ChatGPT is free to use on your computer by visiting https://chat.openai.com.
• iPhone: The ChatGPT app is available on the Apple Store, but it is a paid app.

Steps to Practice Speaking

1. Download the App: Install the ChatGPT app on your phone (free on Android, paid on iPhone) or use it on your computer at https://chat.openai.com.

2. Use This Prompt: Copy and paste this text into the app:

   Practice Prompt

   "Speak slowly. Ask me what I’d like to talk about and at what CEFR level. Then ask me questions about that topic at that level. Paraphrase my answers using correct grammar, and then ask a follow-up question. Stay at the appropriate speed for the CEFR level."

3. Choose the Speaking Option: After pasting the text, click the speaking option. ChatGPT will begin talking to you.

4. Start the Conversation:

   • ChatGPT will ask what you’d like to talk about and what level (A1 to C2).
   • It will ask questions on your topic, correct your grammar, and keep the conversation going.

Why Use ChatGPT?

• Practice Anytime: No need for a teacher or partner.
• Improve Grammar: ChatGPT repeats your answers with correct grammar.
• Convenient: Practice anywhere—on your phone or computer.

Other Learning Ideas

Read other blogs here on The Grammar Guru’s blog for more creative learning ideas. For example, you can practice writing by describing pictures and using AI tools like Copilot or Gemini to recreate them.

Start Practicing Today!

ChatGPT is a great way to improve your speaking skills. If you’re an iPhone user, keep in mind the app costs money, but it’s free for Android and desktop users. Try it today at https://chat.openai.com and see how much you can learn!

Let me know in the comments if you have questions!