DrillKit is an AI-powered tool that turns your online lesson chat from Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or Microsoft Teams into professional, print-ready ESL lessons in under 30 seconds. It automatically extracts vocabulary, generates exercises (gap-fill, error correction, vocab match, word formation, and more), and produces beautiful PDFs tailored to the student's CEFR level and native language.

Does DrillKit support Zoom chats?

Yes! Simply copy the chat text from your Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or Microsoft Teams lesson and paste it directly into the input area. You can also paste vocabulary lists or handwritten notes. DrillKit's AI strips out timestamps, sender names, and other noise automatically.

Can I export lessons to PDF?

Absolutely. Every lesson is generated as a high-quality, print-ready PDF. Pro users can also export to Google Docs and customize branding with their school logo and accent colors.

Which languages are supported?

DrillKit supports translations in 11 languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Turkish, and Russian. The AI auto-detects the student's native language from the chat transcript.

What exercise types can DrillKit generate?

DrillKit generates 11 exercise types: Gap Fill, Vocab Match, Error Correction, Sentence Completion, Multiple Choice, Word Scramble, Sentence Reorder, Translation, Word Formation (Cambridge Part 3), Key Word Transformation (Cambridge Part 4), and Dialogue Builder.

How does the AI extract vocabulary from chat transcripts?

The AI scans your pasted chat transcript, strips out noise (timestamps, reactions, media placeholders), identifies teachable vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms, and student errors, then scores each item by relevance. You review and select the best items before generating exercises.

Is DrillKit free to use?

Yes! The free plan includes 20 generations per month with full access to all 13 exercise types, all lesson styles, and custom branding. The Pro plan ($5.99/month or $4.00/month billed yearly) unlocks unlimited generations and priority AI processing.

Can I customize the lesson with my school branding?

Pro users can add their school or institution name, choose custom accent colors, select from 5 lesson styles (Standard, Classic, Modern, Playful, Academic), and add footer text to every generated lesson.

Content-Based Instruction for ESL: Complete Guide | DrillKit Blog

The Core Idea

Content-Based Instruction (CBI) flips the traditional ESL paradigm: instead of teaching English with some content sprinkled in, you teach a subject (science, history, business, cooking) and language acquisition happens as a byproduct.

The theory is grounded in Krashen's Input Hypothesis — comprehensible input that's slightly beyond the student's current level (i+1) drives acquisition. When students are genuinely engaged with content, they process language more deeply and retain it better.

CBI exists on a spectrum from 'content-driven' (subject teacher who supports language) to 'language-driven' (language teacher who uses content as a vehicle). Most private ESL teachers operate in the middle.

Three CBI Models

1. Sheltered Instruction
Subject matter taught in English to non-native speakers, with language scaffolding. Common in international schools.

2. Theme-Based Instruction
A language course organized around a central theme (environment, technology, film) with all activities connected to that theme. Works well for adult learners with shared interests.

3. Language for Specific Purposes (LSP)
Content is professionally relevant — medical English, legal English, aviation English. The subject matter is determined entirely by the learner's professional context.

CBI in Practice

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Higher Engagement

Students care about what they're learning, not just how they're learning

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Richer Input

Authentic texts expose learners to language as it's actually used

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Faster Vocabulary

Repeated topic-specific vocabulary in context accelerates acquisition

A Pro Tip from the Classroom

Ask your student: 'If you could spend 45 minutes getting better at one thing in your life — not just English-related — what would it be?' Then design a lesson series around teaching them that thing in English. A student who wants to understand investing will absorb financial English effortlessly. A student obsessed with cooking Italian food will acquire culinary vocabulary with zero effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBI suitable for all levels?

Yes, but the content difficulty needs careful calibration. For A1-A2 learners, choose visually supported, simple content. B1+ learners can handle most authentic texts with vocabulary scaffolding. C1+ learners can engage with unmodified academic content.

How do I balance content and language focus?

A common ratio is 70/30 — 70% content learning, 30% explicit language focus. After a content activity, zoom in on specific language features: 'Notice how the article uses the passive voice here — when would a scientist choose passive over active?'

Does DrillKit support CBI lessons?

Yes — paste any article, video transcript, or text on your chosen topic and generate vocabulary and exercises based on it. This makes CBI lesson prep significantly faster.

Content-Based Instruction (CBI): Teaching English Through Subject Matter