This time I am going to share how we can use Claude live in class to first generate short text messages and then create chunk-enriched versions in order to raise awareness of common formulaic language typical of text messages. Next, we would encourage our students to write their own messages, incorporating this useful language.
In class, we could ask our students these questions: “When was the last time you sent a text message?” “What was it about?” They don’t need to go into details –unless they choose to. They can simply talk about the nature of it. Was it to make or confirm plans to do something or go somewhere? Was it a reminder, an update, or small talk? We could have the students work in pairs or small groups and then elicit some answers from volunteers.
Next, we could ask them to write a short text message of about 30 words on a piece of paper. They have three choices:
– making plans
– cancelling plans
– a reminder of an upcoming event
Students might be given about 10 minutes to write at least one short text message. Early finishers can write a second or third message.
Next, we could ask a few volunteers to read their messages. And this is what we could have quickly done while the students were on task writing their messages: open Claude in our browser (or a similar Gen.AI tool) and write this prompt: Write an informal text message of about 30 words about cancelling plans.
Hey! So sorry but I’m gonna have to bail on tonight 😩 Feeling super under the weather all of a sudden. Can we do a raincheck? Promise I’ll make it up to you! 🙏
Notice the use of emojis, which is a welcome bonus. We would have hidden this from view while the students were writing their messages, then working in groups, and then reading out their messages. Eventually, we would have them take a look at the board. There is good language to be explored and to take home here (gonna, feeling under the weather, do a raincheck, make it up to you). Working with micro-texts makes the teaching job a lot easier as well.
Now it’s time for the second prompt: Rewrite the same message in about 30 words, but this time the message must be richer in language chunks while keeping the informal tone, so it’s useful for English learners.
Here’s the message broken down into useful casual language chunks:
[Informal opening + Apologetic expression] “Hey there! OMG, I feel so bad but…”
[Casual way to cancel] “I’m gonna have to bail on our plans tonight”
[Informal explanation] “I’m totally under the weather rn”
[Suggesting alternative + Making amends] “Rain check? I’ll def make it up to you!”
[Showing remorse with emojis] “😩🙏”
Complete message: “Hey there! OMG, I feel so bad but I’m gonna have to bail on our plans tonight – I’m totally under the weather rn. Rain check? I’ll def make it up to you! 😩🙏”
Useful casual phrases:
- “gonna have to bail”
- “feel so bad”
- “totally”
- “rn” (right now)
- “def” (definitely)
- “make it up to you”
- “under the weather”
Note the informal spelling:
- “gonna” instead of “going to”
- “OMG” for “oh my god”
- Use of abbreviations like “rn” and “def”
There aren’t actually a lot of changes taking place because the original text is really short, but as evidenced by the explanations provided by Claude, there are some noticeable modifications, mostly in the use of abbreviations and emphasizers.
Let’s write prompts for one of the other micro-writing tasks: Write an informal text message of about 30 words reminding someone of an upcoming event.
Hey! Don’t forget we’re meeting at Central Coffee at 3 tomorrow! I grabbed us that cozy corner table you love. Bring your laptop if you wanna work! ☕️
Followed by: Rewrite the same message in about 30 words, but this time the message must be richer in language chunks while keeping the informal tone so it’s useful for English learners.
Here’s the message broken down into useful casual language chunks:
[Casual greeting + Reminder phrase] “Hey! Just wanted to remind you…”
[Confirming plans + Location] “we’re still on for Central Coffee at 3 tomorrow”
[Extra info with informal detail] “managed to snag that cozy corner table you love”
[Optional suggestion] “feel free to bring your laptop if you wanna get some work done”
[Closing with emoji] “See you then! ☕️”
Complete message: “Hey! Just wanted to remind you we’re still on for Central Coffee at 3 tomorrow. Managed to snag that cozy corner table you love. Feel free to bring your laptop if you wanna get some work done! ☕️”
Useful casual phrases:
- “just wanted to remind you” (polite reminder)
- “we’re still on for” (confirming plans)
- “managed to snag” (successfully got/reserved something)
- “feel free to” (casual way to make suggestion)
- “wanna” (informal “want to”)
- “get some work done” (informal phrase for working)
Texting features:
- Shortened words like “wanna”
- Coffee emoji to match context
- Mix of short and longer sentences
- Friendly exclamation marks
Notice, once again, the subtle changes. We would take the opportunity to point out those changes and encourage our students to take with them what they think is useful.
Finally, we could ask our students to write a chunk-enriched version of one of the text messages they wrote earlier. They would need to incorporate some of the language we have explored with them. We could provide strips of paper for them to display on a notice board or on the classroom walls for everyone to walk around and read for extra exposure to this language.
AI in ELT 