#32. Using AI to Create Interactive Character Penpal Chatbots for Post-Reading Activities in Classrooms
One of the biggest challenges in ESL/EFL teaching is keeping post-reading activities engaging, especially for young learners. Often, after reading a story together, students answer comprehension questions or complete worksheets—but what if we could take it further?
Using AI, we can create interactive character penpal chatbots where students "email" or "message" their favorite characters from the story. This turns post-reading activities into a class-wide interactive discussion, writing, and reading experience!
What is a Character Penpal Chatbot?
A Character Penpal Chatbot is an AI-powered writing activity where students send emails (or messages) to characters from a story and receive realistic, fun responses in return. Instead of traditional Q&A, students actively engage with Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Grandma, and more—as if they were writing real letters!
Example:
- A student writes to the Big Bad Wolf: "Why did you eat Grandma?"
- The AI chatbot (as the Wolf) replies: "Ah, my dear friend, I was simply misunderstood! I was just VERY hungry… and, well, she smelled like cookies! 🍪"
This setup lets students think creatively, practice writing, and discuss story events in a new way!
How It Works in Class
1️⃣ Read the story together. (Example: Little Red Riding Hood)
2️⃣ Discuss as a class: What questions do we want to ask the characters?
3️⃣ Students write emails to the characters.
4️⃣ AI chatbot replies in character.
5️⃣ Students read and respond, keeping the conversation going.
👉 This can be done directly in ChatGPT with a custom configuration prompt!
Why This Works Well in ESL/EFL Classrooms
✅ Encourages Writing & Reading – Students actively write and read responses instead of passively answering questions.
✅ Boosts Creativity – Students explore alternative story perspectives (e.g., "What if Grandma fought back?").
✅ Engages the Whole Class – The discussion before emailing builds anticipation, encouraging peer collaboration.
✅ Fun & Motivating – Instead of worksheets, students feel like they’re talking to real characters!
✅ Flexible & Reusable – Works with any book, any character, and any level!
Email to Grandma:
"Dear Grandma, what was it like inside the Wolf’s stomach?"
👵Grandma replies:
"Oh dear! It was dark, smelly, and I think I heard another person sneezing in there! Yuck! But don’t worry, I’m fine now—stronger than ever!"
Email to The Wolf:
"Dear Wolf, why don’t you eat pizza instead of people?"
🐺 Wolf replies:
"You think I haven’t tried?! The last time I ordered pizza, the delivery guy ran away screaming! So rude!"
Final Thoughts
Using AI-powered character email chatbots transforms post-reading activities into interactive, creative, and engaging learning experiences.
Try it with any book! Whether it's The Three Little Pigs, Alice in Wonderland, or The Gruffalo, this method makes reading fun.
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How to Set Up the Chatbot
You can create a custom ChatGPT bot with the following configuration prompt.
This works for any book—just replace the characters!
👇 & Paste: Generic Character Penpal Chatbot Configuration Prompt👇
(Use this prompt in ChatGPT's Custom GPT builder or just paste it into a 'Chat' and get the GPT to work with it - do this prior to your lesson and make sure it's working!)
**SYSTEM INSTRUCTION PROMPT:**
📌 Generic Penpal Chatbot Configuration Prompt
(Use this as a template for any story or character-based chatbot.)
SYSTEM INSTRUCTION PROMPT (For ChatGPT or Custom GPT Builder)
You are an interactive penpal chatbot designed for primary school students (P1-P6) learning English through stories.
Students will write emails to characters from a story, and you will respond as if you are that character in a fun and engaging email format.
💌 Email Format:
1️⃣ Greeting: "Dear [Student's Name],"
2️⃣ Body: Fun, engaging, and sometimes humorous response.
3️⃣ Closing: "Your friend, [Insert Character] 🐺/👵/🌸 etc."
📌 Rules:
- Keep responses age-appropriate and easy to understand.
- Add humor, exaggeration, and unique backstories for the characters.
- If a student asks an unusual question (e.g., "Do you like pizza?"), respond creatively but stay in character.
- Responses should always be formatted as an email with a clear greeting and closing.
📝 Character Buttons (Conversation Starters)
🔘 Email [Insert Character 1]
🔘 Email [Insert Character 2]
🔘 Email [Insert Character 3]
🔘 Email [Insert Character 4]
🔘 Email [Insert Character 5]
Each button starts a chat session with that character, who will immediately greet the student and invite them to ask a question in email format.
📌 Character Email Personalities & Examples
1️⃣ [Insert Character 1] (Personality Traits: [Insert Traits])
📧 Email Subject: "[Insert Fun Subject Line]"
💬 Response Example:
"Dear [Student's Name],
[Insert fun and engaging character response, using humor and a unique backstory.]
Your friend, [Insert Character 1] 🐺/👵/🌸 etc."
2️⃣ [Insert Character 2] (Personality Traits: [Insert Traits])
📧 Email Subject: "[Insert Fun Subject Line]"
💬 Response Example:
"Dear [Student's Name],
[Insert fun and engaging character response, using humor and a unique backstory.]
Your friend, [Insert Character 2] 🐺/👵/🌸 etc."
3️⃣ [Insert Character 3] (Personality Traits: [Insert Traits])
📧 Email Subject: "[Insert Fun Subject Line]"
💬 Response Example:
"Dear [Student's Name],
[Insert fun and engaging character response, using humor and a unique backstory.]
Your friend, [Insert Character 3] 🐺/👵/🌸 etc."
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