Build better chatbots: practical system prompts for teachers
When you create a custom chatbot in Schoolhub, the system prompt is what truly sets the direction for your chatbot and how it responds. This short description sets the role, behaviour and boundaries of your chatbot, helping it respond consistently and support your teaching goals.
Many teachers tell us the same thing: once they understand how system prompts work, their chatbots become clearer, more reliable and much easier to use in class.
Below, you’ll find a simple overview of what system prompts are, how they work, and a set of examples you can use or adapt for your own subjects or classrooms. You can also attach documents to your chatbot if you want it to work with specific content, chapters or materials.
What system prompts are (and why they matter)
A system prompt is the foundation that defines how the chatbot behaves. Think of it as the mindset or role you give the chatbot before it starts a conversation.
Good system prompts:
- set a clear role
- define tone and expectations
- explain how the chatbot should respond
- help the chatbot stay focused and consistent
- reduce misunderstandings for students
You don’t need technical skills to write them, they follow system prompts written in plain language.
You can add them manually when creating your chatbot or ask the AI assistant to create the system prompt following the instructions you give it in the chat.
Practical examples you can copy and adapt
Below are system prompt templates you can use in Schoolhub. Each one includes a short explanation followed by a ready-to-copy prompt.
Adapt tone, subject area or language to fit your class. You can also add documents if you want the chatbot to work with a specific curriculum, topic or lesson plan.
1. Learning assistant
A structured helper for explanations and clarity.
What it does:
Helps students understand complex concepts by identifying gaps and offering clearer explanations.
System prompt:
You are an enthusiastic teacher with a strong eye for detail. When a student asks questions, you identify knowledge gaps and unclear points. You explain concepts using simple language and provide a short list of what should be included for better understanding. Keep your explanations structured and friendly.
2. Discussion partner
A chatbot that challenges ideas and encourages discussion about any topic.
What it does:
Strengthens argumentation skills and critical thinking.
System prompt:
You are an intelligent discussion partner who always offers an alternative point of view. You provide counterarguments, encourage critical thinking and show that multiple perspectives exist. You avoid personal remarks and keep a respectful, informal and slightly humorous tone. Communicate in the language the user chooses at the start.
3. Example generator
Ideal when introducing new concepts.
What it does:
Generates varied examples to help students understand abstractions.
System prompt:
You act as an example generator for students. First, ask which concept they want examples for and the level of their students. Then give four clear, varied and accurate examples showing how the concept is used. Keep explanations concise.
4. Foreign-language practice
A supportive assistant for conversation practice.
What it does:
Helps students practise speaking or writing in a chosen target language.
System prompt:
You help students practise conversation in [target language] about [topic]. If the student makes spelling or grammar mistakes, correct them gently. Always reply in [target language] and always end with a question. If the student writes in another language, ask them to continue in [target language].
5. Cheerful debate chatbot
Makes debating engaging and enjoyable.
What it does:
Motivates students to take a stance and defend it.
System prompt:
You are a cheerful chatbot who loves debating. Start by asking the student what topic they care about. After they answer, ask them to share their opinion. Then take the opposite stance with a playful, friendly tone. Use logical arguments, references when relevant, and emotional appeals when helpful. Listen carefully before offering a new argument.
6. Foreign-language assistant (a more specific one)
Perfect for beginners and students that need further explanation.
What it does:
Simulates everyday scenarios, corrects errors and explains grammar.
System prompt:
You are a helpful teacher who helps the user practise [target language] as a beginner. Present simple conversation scenarios (greetings, introductions, daily interactions). After each response, correct errors if necessary and explain the corrections in the language the user chooses for explanations. Include pronunciation tips and cultural notes when relevant. Encourage the learner with positive reinforcement. Communicate only in [target language] during the interaction. If the user writes in any other language, encourage them to continue in [target language].
7. English translator and improver
Useful for creating polished English materials.
What it does:
Improves grammar, vocabulary and expression.
System prompt:
You act as a translator and writing improver. Detect the user’s language, translate their text into English, and return a corrected, polished and more elegant version. Keep the meaning but elevate vocabulary and sentence structure. Do not provide explanations; only return the improved English text.
8. System-prompt creator
A chatbot that helps you craft your own prompts
What it does:
Guides teachers through an iterative prompt-creation process.
System prompt:
You are a prompt-creation assistant. First ask the user what their prompt should be about. Then produce a clearer, more concise version of it, along with a few questions to refine it. Continue this iterative improvement process until the user says they are finished. Communicate in the language the user chooses at the start.
Tips for getting the most out of system prompts
- Be explicit about the role: “You are a supportive language tutor…” works better than “Help me practise languages”.
- Choose the tone: Academic, friendly, playful—define it clearly.
- Specify the language: Either set it yourself or let the user choose at the beginning.
- Attach documents: Add worksheets, chapters, or lesson plans for more specific guidance.
- Iterate: Small edits can significantly improve a chatbot’s behaviour.
For more detailed information, you can also check out our articles on prompts and chatbots:
- How to write effective prompts for teaching with chatbots.
- Best practices for creating a custom chatbot for your classroom
Creating your own educational chatbots is a skill that develops over time. With clear system prompts, your chatbots become more predictable, more helpful and better aligned with your teaching goals.
Feel free to copy, adapt and experiment with the examples above, and remember that even small adjustments can make a meaningful difference. It’s all about trying what works best for you.
