AI Writing Coach
writingaccuracypracticeindividualmedium prep20-30 min
Students submit a draft to an LLM with a carefully-designed coach prompt. The AI gives structured feedback — not rewrites — focused on one or two specific criteria. Students revise based on the feedback; teacher checks the final draft.
The Coach Prompt Scaffold
You are a patient writing coach for a [LEVEL] English learner.
I will share a draft.
Do NOT rewrite it.
Instead:
1. Name 2 strengths with specific quotes.
2. Identify 1 pattern to work on (grammar, cohesion, vocabulary, or clarity).
3. Show 2 example sentences from my draft — one before, one a suggested improvement.
4. Ask me 1 question to think about before my revision.Procedure
- Before AI: students complete a first draft (handwritten or typed).
- Prompt the AI: students paste the coach scaffold + their draft.
- Receive feedback.
- Revise based on the identified pattern. Ignore other issues for this round.
- Resubmit to AI: use a shorter prompt — "I've revised for [pattern]. Did I address it?"
- Final teacher check: teacher reviews the revision history. Spots patterns the AI missed.
Why It Works
- Unlimited individualised feedback: every student gets coach-level attention, which no teacher can provide manually for 30 students.
- Focused revision: one pattern at a time — not the 40-error assault of traditional marking.
- Process made visible: AI feedback + student revision becomes a documented process, useful for both student and teacher.
- Transferable coaching habits: students who engage with AI coaching learn to self-coach.
Pitfalls and Fixes
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| AI rewrites instead of feedback | Emphasise "DO NOT rewrite" in the prompt — and refuse to accept rewrite output. |
| AI praise is generic | Require specific quotes in feedback prompt. |
| Student loses own voice | Revise with human judgement; reject AI changes that sound not-like-you. |
| Over-reliance | Limit: one AI coaching session per draft; the rest is human work. |
| AI hallucinates "rules" | Pair with teacher check; flag unfamiliar "rules" for verification. |
Variations
- Criterion-locked feedback: prompt asks only about lexical resource, or only about coherence. Good for targeted practice.
- Comparative drafts: AI coaches draft 1, student revises, AI coaches draft 2. Show progress.
- Peer + AI: peer feedback first (Two Stars and a Wish), then AI coach. Compare what each caught.
- Self-prompt design: students write their own coach prompt. Teaches how to get good AI feedback.
Tips
- Privacy first: remind students not to paste personal information (names, details) into AI.
- Don't outsource teaching: the AI is a coach, not a substitute for the teacher's evaluation.
- Verify questionable rules: if AI gives unfamiliar grammar advice, check with a reliable reference.
- Excellent for IELTS/TOEFL exam prep where volume of practice essays matters.
Source
Dizon, G. (2023) ChatGPT: Features, uses, and limitations. Teaching English with Technology. Kohnke, L., Moorhouse, B.L. & Zou, D. (2023) ChatGPT for Language Teaching and Learning. RELC Journal.