Improving professional development with 'Teaching with the GSE'

Leonor Corradi
A teacher and student in a classroom looking at a laptop.
Reading time: 2 minutes

Leonor Corradi, MA is an experienced teacher of English and teacher trainer. As such, Leonor hasconducted workshops and delivered talks on best-practice teaching to ensure that learning really happens. The Global Scale of English has become a unique resource that clearly addresses the relationship between teaching and learning.

Are you an experienced teacher looking for a tool to boost your teaching effectiveness? Or perhaps you're a novice educator seeking new methods for teaching English. Whatever the case may be, the '' course is your ultimate guide to mastering teaching with the Global Scale of English (GSE).

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin.

This quote encapsulates the crux of the 'Teaching with the GSE' course. A comprehensive professional development program designed to bridge the gap between teaching and learning.

Many teachers are familiar with various scales, particularly the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, few may have delved deeply into its intricacies, as its connection to everyday teaching might seem somewhat remote. Each level of the CEFR provides a snapshot of learners' capabilities, while teachers are responsible for crafting the narrative that illustrates how students progress from one level to another. In this metaphor, the Global Scale of English (GSE) serves as a valuable script that educators can utilize to facilitate their students' progress.

About the 'Teaching with the GSE' course

The 'Teaching with the GSE' course offers educators a treasure trove of tools to assist learners in their language learning journey. Here is a sneak peek of what you can expect from the course.

The GSE and the CEFR

The course starts with an insightful introduction to the GSE and the GSE Toolkit. By the end of this section, you'll understand the relationship and distinctions between the GSE and CEFR.

Learning Objectives

The training course addresses the role of learning objectives in teaching and learning. It also helps teachers taking the course set learning objectives. They will, in turn, help their learners set their own learning objectives. Setting language learning objectives often results in students being much more involved and motivated to learn and make progress.

The GSE Toolkit

The GSE Toolkit is an incredible resource for teachers, learners, department heads and coordinators. The course shows how user-friendly it is and how it helps users personalize their own goals and monitor them.

Course materials alignment to GSE

The GSE is a general scale in that it is not course-based and can be used with materials of all sorts. However, those materials aligned to the GSE offer different resources that can help teachers in different areas: planning, teaching, assessing, monitoring learners progress, among others.

Improving your professional development and student's classroom experience

Teachers worldwide have already started using the GSE. This course will help them see how to use it for more effective teaching, lesson planning, assessment, and curriculum design. They will become aware of how many great, unforgettable experiences they can create together with their learners.

Further your professional development with the '' course today and start creating unforgettable learning experiences for your students.

Explore our GSE teaching resources

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  • A man sat outside smiling working on a laptop

    Balancing work, life, and learning: How adult learners navigate English language learning

    Por Dr. Le Dinh Bao Quoc
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

    For many adult learners, mastering English isn’t just about gaining a new skill—it’s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

    This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

    The challenges of learning English as an adult

    Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt—an all-too-common experience among adult learners.

    Many adults face similar challenges:

    • Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
    • Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
    • Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

    Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

    Strategies for overcoming challenges

    1. Setting SMART Goals

    Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, app’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable “Can-do” statements, such as:

    • Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
    • Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

    These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

    2. Offering flexible learning options

    Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

    • Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
    • Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

    For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

    3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

    Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners’ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

    • Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
    • Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

    This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

    4. Encouraging weekly reflection

    Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

    • Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
    • Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

    This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

    Implementing the strategies

    Here’s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

    1. Assess and set goals

    Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

    2. Create flexible study plans

    Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

    3. Use authentic materials

    Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner’s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

    4. Encourage accountability

    Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

    5. Leverage personalized AI tools

    Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners’ focus areas.

    Why It matters

    English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
    For educators seeking further resources, app’s GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

    Celebrate education

    To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.