flowchart TD C[Context] --> L[Limits] L --> E["Example<br/>or format"] E --> A[Ask] A --> R[Review] R --> P["Safer<br/>prompt"]
3 Lesson 1: AI Is Here - Use It Safely, Use It in English
Duration: 2 hours
TipYour Path
You are in: Lesson 1
Before this: Orientation
After this: Lesson 2
Save this: English AI Decision Toolkit/Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check.md
3.1 Start Here
AI is already part of school, work, shopping, phones, search, and daily communication. You do not need to become an AI expert. You do need to learn how to use AI safely and clearly in English.
Today you will write your first safe English prompt. Before you write it, you will learn two important ideas:
- AI may become normal in daily life, like the Internet became normal.
- AI tools have providers, settings, and privacy risks.
3.2 Why This Matters
In the 1990s, many people thought the Internet was optional. Later, the Internet became normal for school, work, communication, shopping, and daily life.
AI may follow a similar path. This does not mean you should feel afraid. It means you can start now, step by step. You can learn how to ask better questions, check answers, protect your private information, and use English with more confidence.
Ignoring AI is like ignoring the Internet in the 90s. You do not need to know everything. You need safe habits and clear English so you are not left behind.
Discussion:
AI can help me __________.
AI cannot replace __________.
I want to learn AI because __________.
I need to be careful because __________.3.3 Today You Will
By the end of this lesson, you will:
- Explain why learning AI in English matters now.
- Identify basic AI provider privacy and data settings.
- Practice an opt-out routine for training, data sharing, or personalization where a tool allows it.
- Learn the ZONI CLEAR prompt scaffold.
- Write one safe English prompt for an everyday task.
- Save:
English AI Decision Toolkit/Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check.md.
NoteLesson Reference
Theme: AI is a practical English skill, but students need safe habits first.
AI Focus: Basic AI use, provider privacy settings, opt-out awareness, and safe prompt writing.
ESL Focus: Simple explanations, personal goals, privacy vocabulary, clear requests, and sentence frames.
Content Objective: Students will write one safe English prompt and complete a privacy check.
Language Objective: Students will use simple English frames:
AI can help me...
I need help with...
Do not include...
I opted out of...
I will not share...3.4 Core Idea
An AI tool is a computer tool that can create answers, text, images, summaries, or other outputs. A provider is the company or group that gives you the tool.
AI tools may feel free, but free tools can still collect value from users.
If you aren’t paying for the product, you are the product.
This means: be careful. A company may collect data, use interaction data, personalize services, show ads, or improve systems. Different AI providers have different policies. Check privacy and data settings before using AI tools.
Opt out of model training, data sharing, or personalization where the tool allows it. Opting out is helpful, but it is not enough. Do not type private information into AI tools.
WarningStrong Privacy Rule
Do not share private information with AI. Do not type passwords, addresses, ID numbers, medical records, immigration documents, private school documents, private work documents, private student data, or private family information into an AI tool.
Do not upload private documents. Use a safe public example, a fake example, or a teacher-provided sample instead.
3.4.1 Opt-Out Routine
Use this routine before using an AI tool:
1. Open Settings.
2. Look for Privacy, Data Controls, or Account Settings.
3. Look for words like:
- Improve the model
- Train our models
- Chat history
- Data sharing
- Personalization
4. Turn off sharing for training if the tool allows it.
5. Do not type private information, even after opting out.If you do not have an account, do not create one just for this lesson. You can watch a teacher demo, use a printed or mock settings page, or write: I could not find this setting.
3.5 Key Vocabulary
| Word | Simple Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| AI | A computer system that can create answers, text, images, or other outputs | I used AI to organize my ideas. |
| provider | The company or group that gives you a tool | The provider has privacy settings. |
| data | Information a tool may collect or use | My prompt is data. |
| opt out | Choose not to join or share | I opted out of model training. |
| training | Using examples to improve a model | I looked for a training setting. |
| privacy setting | A control for what information is shared | I checked the privacy setting. |
| personalization | A tool changing answers based on your use | I turned off personalization if the tool allowed it. |
| prompt | The instruction or question you give AI | My prompt asks for a simple email. |
| output | The answer from AI | The output was too long. |
| private | Not for everyone to see | My address is private. |
3.6 Sentence Frames
AI can help me __________.
AI cannot replace __________.
I want to learn AI because __________.
I need to be careful because __________.
I checked settings for __________.
I opted out of __________.
I could not find __________.
I will not share __________.
I need help with __________.
Please use simple English.
Do not include private information.3.7 Lesson Agenda
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | Motivational opener: Ignoring AI is like ignoring the Internet in the 90s | Connect AI learning to future English needs. |
| 15 min | Privacy reality: If you aren’t paying for the product, you are the product | Understand provider incentives in simple English. |
| 15 min | Opt-out habit: check privacy and data settings before using AI | Practice the settings routine without sharing account details. |
| 15 min | AI basics in simple English | Learn core words and safe-use rules. |
| 20 min | ZONI CLEAR prompt scaffold | Learn a repeatable prompt structure. |
| 25 min | Guided practice: weak prompt vs. strong safe prompt | Identify task, context, limits, and output format. |
| 15 min | Independent practice: first safe English AI prompt | Draft the first portfolio artifact. |
| 5 min | Exit ticket | Save one prompt, one privacy rule, and one new word. |
3.8 Guided Practice
3.8.1 Safe or Unsafe?
Sort each task.
| Task | Good for AI | Use Carefully | Do Not Use AI Alone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brainstorm lunch ideas | X | ||
| Ask for a medical diagnosis | X | ||
| Summarize a public article | X | ||
| Upload immigration papers | X | ||
| Practice interview answers | X | ||
| Type a password into a prompt | X |
Speaking frames:
I think this is good for AI because __________.
I think we should be careful because __________.
I think we should not use AI for this because __________.3.8.2 ZONI CLEAR Prompt Scaffold
This course uses a ZONI CLEAR scaffold to help you write prompts in simple English. CLEAR means Context, Limits, Example or format, Ask, and Review.
| Letter | Meaning | Student-Friendly Question |
|---|---|---|
| C | Context | What is my situation? |
| L | Limits | What should AI avoid? |
| E | Example or format | What style or format do I want? |
| A | Ask | What do I want AI to do? |
| R | Review | What should AI check before answering? |
In simple English: a clear prompt gives AI the situation, the rules, the format, the task, and a check.
Student template:
I need help with: [task]
Context:
[short background]
Limits:
- Use simple English.
- Do not invent facts.
- Do not use private information.
- Ask questions if information is missing.
Output format:
[table / checklist / email / short paragraph]
Before answering:
List assumptions and missing information.3.8.3 Weak Prompt vs. Strong Safe Prompt
Weak prompt:
Help me study.Strong safe prompt:
I need help making a simple study plan.
Context:
- I have an English test on Friday.
- I can study 30 minutes each day.
- I need help with vocabulary and speaking.
Limits:
- Use simple English.
- Do not ask for private information.
- Do not invent facts.
Please give me:
1. A 4-day study plan.
2. A list of 10 words to review.
3. A 5-minute speaking practice activity.
4. Questions you need before improving the plan.Underline:
- the task
- the context
- the limits
- the output format
3.9 Independent Practice
Choose one safe task:
- Write a polite email.
- Plan study time.
- Prepare for a job interview.
- Understand a public announcement.
- Make a grocery list on a budget.
- Organize a weekly schedule.
Use this student file:
# Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check
## My motivation
Ignoring AI is like ignoring the Internet in the 90s because:
[write one simple sentence]
One way AI can help me learn English is:
[write one sentence]
## My AI privacy check
The AI tool I checked was:
[tool name]
I looked for these settings:
- Privacy
- Data controls
- Training
- Chat history
- Personalization
I opted out of:
[write what you changed, or write "I could not find this setting."]
Private information I will not share:
1.
2.
3.
## My safe prompt
My task:
[write task]
My prompt:
[write prompt]
AI answer summary:
[write 2-3 sentences]
Words I learned:
1.
2.
3.
My safety rule:
If the task includes private information, I will use a fake example or ask my teacher for a safe practice task.3.10 Pair Speaking or Presentation Task
In pairs, explain your motivation, privacy check, and prompt.
I want to learn AI because __________.
I checked settings for __________.
I did not share __________ because it is private.
My task is __________.
My prompt asks for __________.3.11 Reflection
Write three short sentences:
Today I learned that AI can __________.
One setting word I learned is __________.
One private detail I should not share is __________.3.12 Exit Ticket
Submit or save:
- One safe English prompt.
- One privacy setting word.
- One opt-out sentence.
- One privacy rule in English.
3.13 Homework
Estimated time: 30-45 minutes.
Tasks:
- Finish
Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check.md. - Add three words to
Vocabulary Log.md. - Recheck that your prompt has no private information.
- If you could not check settings in class, write what setting words you would look for next time.
What to save:
English AI Decision Toolkit/Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check.md- updated
Vocabulary Log.md
Privacy reminder: Opting out is helpful, but it is not enough. Do not type private information into AI tools.
Optional extension: Open the Lessons 1-2 Prompt Playground lab if your teacher asks. Use safe examples only.
TipOptional Colab Lab
This lab is optional. Use it only if your teacher asks or if you want extra practice. You do not need to complete the lab to finish your portfolio.
Open the Lessons 1-2 Prompt Playground lab in Colab:
Use safe examples only. Do not enter private information.
The lab uses Colab AI automatically when it is available in the Colab runtime. If Colab AI is not available, the regular lab steps still work, and you can finish your portfolio without AI.
After any AI answer, say: “I checked the AI answer before I used it.”
ImportantRequired Portfolio Artifact
Save your work here:
English AI Decision Toolkit/Lesson 1 - My First Safe English AI Prompt and Privacy Check.md