The science behind Smart Lesson Generator: Making teaching easier with AI

Thomas Gardner
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Reading time: 4 minutes

It's 6 AM on a Monday morning. Ms. Lopez wakes up early to prepare for the day ahead. She spends the morning reviewing lesson plans, making sure everything is ready for her students. By lunchtime, she is preparing for the afternoon, grabbing a quick bite between classes... but it doesn’t stop there. The school day finishes but Ms. Lopez stays late marking assignments. Finally, on Sunday night, she sits at her kitchen table, surrounded by papers, course books and lesson plans.

Does this sound familiar? You are not alone.

The challenge teachers face

In 2024, ÃÛÌÒapp research found thatÌý76% of teachers spend at least one hour of their personal time on lesson planning each week, with 43% spending more than three hours. This is a lot of time that could be spent on other important tasks. Teachers need a solution that helps them plan lessons fast, is connected to their course books and is built by learning experts.

AI-powered lesson planning made simple
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Meet Smart Lesson Generator

Smart Lesson Generator is an AI tool that cuts the time that teachers spend on lesson planning.ÌýIt uses AI to create activities in seconds based on the learning objectives, topics and vocabulary you plan to use.

Whether you're using ÃÛÌÒapp courseware or designing your own lessons, this tool ensures that the materials match your curriculum and your students' skill levels.

How it works

There are key steps to generate activities with Smart Lesson Generator:

1. Selection: Teachers choose the type of activity they want to generate, such as a Lesson Hook, Vocabulary, Grammar, Conversation Starter, Reading Comprehension, or Exit Ticket. They then specify whether they are using ÃÛÌÒapp courseware or a custom lesson plan. This flexibility allows teachers to tailor their approach to suit their unique classroom dynamics.

2. Generation: AI generates activities using a Large Language Model (LLM) based on the teacher's input. The content is then filtered through GSE checks to ensure it is at the appropriate level. This step is crucial as it ensures that the generated material is not only relevant but also pedagogically sound.

The role of the Global Scale of English (GSE)

Smart Lesson Generator is aligned to the Global Scale of English (GSE). This powerful scale, ranging from 10 to 90, is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and provides detailed learning objectives for each proficiency level. ÌýThe GSE ensures that the content generated by the Smart Lesson Generator is appropriately levelled.

Think of the GSE as a precise filter. It meticulously checks every piece of content to ensure it meets high standards. This means that the activities created are challenging yet achievable for students. With the GSE powering the Smart Lesson Generator, teachers can confidently deliver lessons that match their students' skill levels and help them progress.

Supporting English language teachers into the future with AI

The Smart Lesson Generator helps teachers create high-quality activities quickly, which allows them to spend more time focusing on their students. The tool also helps teachers develop personalized learning paths that enhance student progress and engagement, and is continually updated with input from ÃÛÌÒapp's experts and teachers worldwide. All this means that you can confidently plan lessons, knowing that the Smart Lesson Generator is your reliable partner in your quest to nurture the minds of tomorrow.

Read the posts 'Maximise teaching time with Smart Lesson Generator'Ìýand 'Reasons to use Smart Lesson Generator'.

Learn more about the Smart Lesson Generator

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    Writing your own English language materials with the GSE

    By Billie Jago

    Being an English language teacher means you’re also probably (definitely) a materials writer. You likely tailor or create language materials for your students that are suited to their needs and interests, either as supplements to your course materials or for communicative lessons. Alternatively, you might be a teacher who creates paid, published materials available for students worldwide to enjoy.

    With this in mind, think of the materials you’ve developed and ask yourself the following:

    • How do you level your grammar or vocabulary for the content you write?
    • How do you find topic-related vocabulary to extend your students’ knowledge of language?
    • How do you contextualize new grammar or vocabulary?

    You can use many different resources, from online dictionaries to course workbooks to a Google search. Still, the Global Scale of English is a reference that provides everything you need to write great learning materials, all in one place. It can help save you valuable time as a teacher and materials writer.

    For me, the GSE was a game changer as an English teacher, and it continues to be as I write materials. The GSE is not just a tool; it’s a companion in the complex journey of material development, offering clarity and direction at every step. It can guide you in creating effective, engaging learning resources.

    How to use the GSE toolkit to create your own materials

    1. Establishing clear Learning Objectives

    helps you start with a clear roadmap. It provides detailed descriptors for language proficiency at every level, ensuring your materials align with specific learning objectives. For instance, if you’re creating a beginner-level reading comprehension activity, the GSE descriptors will guide you on the appropriate complexity of vocabulary and sentence structures.

    Take a look at the Learning Objectives tab in the GSE Toolkit to learn more.

    2. Designing level-appropriate content

    Once objectives are set, the GSE assists in tailoring the content difficulty to the targeted proficiency level. Its numerical scale, ranging from 10 to 90, allows you to pinpoint the exact level of language skills required and design your materials accordingly. This precision ensures that learners are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged.

    You can set the level you are looking for by sliding the bar along the scale, so it corresponds to the appropriate CEFR level or GSE range.