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 ($4.99/month or $3.33/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.

ESL Differentiation: Teaching Mixed-Ability Classes Effectively

The Mixed-Ability Reality

Textbooks assume homogeneous classes. Reality delivers groups where last week's A2 enrollment sits next to a B2 student who's been attending for two years. Schools rarely have the resources for perfectly leveled classes, and even 'leveled' classes contain significant variation within the same CEFR band. Differentiation isn't about creating separate lessons for each student — that's impossible and exhausting. It's about designing flexible activities where the same task naturally scales to different levels. The input can be the same; the expectations for output can vary. The activity can be the same; the support provided can differ. The goal is challenge without frustration for every student in the room.

4 Differentiation Strategies That Don't Double Your Workload

📊

Tiered Tasks (Same Input, Different Output)

Everyone reads the same text. Task A: True/False comprehension (A2). Task B: Answer detailed questions (B1). Task C: Write a summary and opinion (B2). Students can self-select or be assigned discreetly.

👥

Strategic Grouping

Mixed-level pairs: stronger students scaffold weaker ones (both benefit — explaining consolidates knowledge). Same-level groups: when you want to push advanced students with challenging tasks without overwhelming beginners.

🎛️

Choice Boards

A grid of 6-9 activities at different levels and skill focuses. Students choose 3 to complete. This gives autonomy while ensuring practice. Include a mix of writing, speaking, game-based, and creative options.

🆘

Graduated Support

Same task for everyone, but different levels of support. A2 students get word banks, sentence starters, and model answers. B2 students get only the task. The scaffolding enables access without lowering expectations.

lightbulb

Teacher Tip

“Always have 'extension tasks' ready: deeper questions, creative extensions, or peer-teaching roles for early finishers. 'Finished? Check your partner's answers and discuss any differences.' Or: 'Write 3 more questions about this topic for the class.' Never let fast finishers sit idle — that's when phones come out and attention is lost.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I teach a mixed-level ESL class?

add

Use tiered tasks (same content, different difficulty expectations), strategic pairing (mixed levels for scaffolding, same levels for challenge), choice boards (students select activities), and graduated support (word banks and sentence starters for weaker students). Differentiate the task, not the lesson plan.

Is differentiation the same as individualized instruction?

add

No. Individualized instruction means different plans for every student (unsustainable). Differentiation means designing flexible activities where the same lesson naturally accommodates different levels through varying output expectations, grouping, and support levels.

How do I keep advanced students challenged while supporting beginners?

add

Give advanced students extension tasks: they become peer teachers, they write additional questions, they complete creative/analytical tasks that go deeper. Meanwhile, provide beginners with scaffolding (word banks, models, sentence starters) that enables access to the same core activity.

Differentiation in Mixed-Ability ESL Classes: One Lesson, Every Level