I wanted daily Chinese practice that matches my experience level without downloading a dedicated app. Using Instruct, I spun up a lightweight Telegram bot that drops several mini quizzes each day, one news-inspired lesson, and smart repeats of older quizzes so the vocab actually sticks.

Why this format works

• Tiny commitment, big payoff: Each quiz takes 1–3 minutes, so it’s easy to stay consistent.
• Always within reach: Everything lives in a Telegram feed, ready whenever I have a spare moment.
• Built-in spaced repetition: I can have the bot resurface past quizzes automatically, reinforcing the tougher words.

I’ve used this quiz channel format in other learning channels too. It’s consistently one of the best ways to practice.

How to build it

1. Create your bot token: Use BotFather to spin up a Telegram bot.

2. Add the bot to your channel: Grant it admin access so it can post.

3. Connect your bot to Instruct: Head to the “Integration” page; search for “Telegram”; click connect; and supply the bot token when asked.

3. Design the workflow in Instruct: In a new Instruct task, define the daily posts and format. For me it is quizzes plus one newsy mini lesson, but you can tailor it to any subject or skill. (See my prompt below!)

CopyGoal
Create and publish a Telegram “quiz” poll for HSK 1–2 Chinese learners.
Use Telegram API - https://core.telegram.org/bots/api.

Quiz rules
- Pick a question type at random:
  A) Character Recognition (meaning / pinyin / reading)
  B) Usage and Completion (choose the correct character/word to complete a short sentence)
- Use only HSK 1–2 vocabulary/characters.
- Create exactly 1 question and exactly 4 distinct answer options.
- Randomize the position of the correct option on every run.

Special rule for translation-style questions
- Put the Chinese character/word + pinyin in the question.
- Options must be English only.

Publishing
Send the poll to Telegram channel @replace-with-your-channel via the Telegram.

4. Tweak the results in natural language: Try your learning bot out and let Instruct know any changes you’d like.

5. It’s that simple! Once you’re happy, ask Instruct to run your workflow every day, week, or however often you wish.

No backend, no complicated setup.

Check out my bot and follow along on Telegram here: @imcheesechinese.

If you’re learning a language, prepping for interviews, or brushing up on history, this pattern is insanely effective. Turn daily practice into a lightweight ritual with Instruct.