Precision teaching with AI: Aligning GSE objectives with generative AI for targeted materials
English teachers today face increasing demands: create engaging content, differentiate instruction and address diverse learner needs – all within a limited time. The rise of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, offers a promising solution. But without proper guidance, AI-generated content can lack educational value. This blog post introduces a practical, research-informed approach to using AI tools aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE). You will learn how this framework helps educators design accurate, personalized and level-appropriate English teaching materials quickly and confidently.
Why GSE and AI are a game-changing combination for ELT
The Global Scale of English (GSE) is a CEFR-aligned framework developed by app, offering detailed "can-do" learning objectives. It includes nearly 4,000 descriptors across speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, offering more precision than traditional level labels like A2 or B1. At the same time, Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can generate entire lessons, tasks and assessments in seconds. The challenge lies in ensuring this content is aligned with clear pedagogical outcomes.
Pairing AI’s creative speed with the GSE’s structured outcomes offers a scalable way to meet learner needs without compromising instructional quality.
Unlocking measurable, differentiated and efficient teaching with GSE and AI
The GSE makes objectives measurable
Unlike generic teaching goals, GSE objectives are specific and measurable. For example, a B1-level learner objective might state:
“Can identify a simple chronological sequence in a recorded narrative or dialogue.” (GSE 43)
This clarity helps teachers define outcomes and ensure each AI-generated task targets an actual language skill, not just generic content.
Generative AI enhances productivity
Teachers using Generative AI can create draft lesson materials in minutes. By inputing a structured prompt such as:
“Create a B1 reading activity that helps learners summarize the main points of a short article.”
ChatGPT can instantly generate content that meets the learning goal. When guided by the GSE, AI becomes a collaborative assistant as well as a time-saver.
The GSE + AI combination supports differentiation
Because the GSE includes descriptors across a wide proficiency range (from pre-A1 to C2), teachers can tailor AI-generated content to meet the exact needs of their students. Mixed-level classrooms or tutoring contexts benefit especially from this, as teachers can create multiple versions of a task with consistent scaffolding.
Practical tips
- Use the GSE Teacher Toolkit to select objectives based on skill, level or function.
- When prompting ChatGPT, include the GSE descriptor in your input for more precise results.
- Always review and adapt the AI output to match your learners’ context, culture and curriculum.
- Create a prompt library mapped to GSE codes to save time in future planning.
A step-by-step example of the GSE and AI in action
Here is a typical application of the workflow:
- A teacher selects a GSE objective, such as:
“Can write a basic formal email/letter requesting information.” (GSE 46). - Within seconds, a sample formal email, accompanied by a short reading comprehension task and a vocabulary activity, is generated.
- The reading task serves as a model to help learners analyze the structure, tone, and key language features of a well-written email before attempting their own.
- The teacher then reviews and refines the output for clarity, appropriateness, and context relevance.
This process supports targeted teaching while significantly reducing preparation time.
Overcoming challenges: Ensuring quality and relevance
Challenge: AI outputs may lack cultural context, level appropriateness or instructional clarity.
Solution: Always pair AI with professional judgment. Use the GSE to check that skills match the intended outcome, and adjust the complexity of the language as needed.
Challenge: Teachers may be unfamiliar with how to write effective AI prompts.
Solution: Start simple with templates like:
“Create a [skill] activity at [level] that supports this GSE objective: [insert objective].”
Challenge: Risk of over-relying on AI for instruction.
Solution: Use AI as a starting point, not the final product. Combine AI-generated content with classroom interaction, feedback and your own creativity.
Teaching tools that make this easier
- : for exploring and selecting level-appropriate learning objectives
- : for generating customizable teaching content
- GSE Smart Lesson Generator: an AI-powered lesson creation tool developed by app that uses the GSE framework to automatically generate high-quality activities and lesson plans
- Google Docs or Word: for editing and organizing your materials before class
Confidently transforming English teaching
Combining Generative AI with the Global Scale of English allows teachers to design materials that are both fast and focused. The GSE provides the structure; AI provides the speed. Together, they offer a sustainable solution for personalized English instruction that respects both learner needs and instructional quality.
