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 Portfolio Assessment: Alternative to Tests for Language Learners

The Limitations of Traditional Testing

A student who studied all night might score 90% on a grammar test but can't hold a conversation. Another student who speaks fluently might bomb the same test because of test anxiety or an off day. Traditional tests capture a snapshot of performance under artificial conditions — they rarely reflect genuine communicative competence. Portfolio assessment offers an alternative: a curated collection of student work accumulated over time that demonstrates growth, effort, and achievement across multiple language skills. It's not a replacement for testing — it's a complement that provides a richer, more authentic picture of student ability.

What Goes in an ESL Portfolio

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Writing Samples

Include 2-3 writing pieces per month with the teacher's feedback visible. Comparing September's paragraph to March's essay makes growth tangible and motivating.

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Speaking Recordings

Record short (1-2 minute) speaking samples monthly. Students hear their own pronunciation and fluency improvements over time — the most motivating evidence possible.

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Self-Reflections

Monthly reflection sheets where students answer: What did I learn? What am I still struggling with? What do I want to focus on next? Builds metacognitive awareness.

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Best Work Selections

Students choose their best worksheets, quiz results, or project outputs. The act of selecting requires self-evaluation — they must articulate why they consider it their best work.

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Teacher Tip

“Use a simple shared Google Drive folder per student. Add completed worksheets, quiz scores from DrillKit's dashboard, and audio recordings. At parent-teacher conferences or end-of-term reviews, this folder tells a compelling story of growth that a letter grade never could. DrillKit's dashboard naturally tracks all generated and completed resources — it functions as a partial digital portfolio without any extra effort from the teacher.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is portfolio assessment in ESL?

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Portfolio assessment is a method where students collect samples of their work (writing, recordings, reflections, completed exercises) over time. The collection demonstrates growth and achievement across multiple language skills, providing a richer assessment picture than individual test scores.

Is portfolio assessment better than traditional testing?

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Neither is inherently better — they serve different purposes. Tests measure discrete knowledge efficiently. Portfolios show growth over time and develop student metacognition. The strongest programs combine both: periodic tests for benchmarking and portfolios for longitudinal growth tracking.

How do I grade a portfolio?

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Use a simple rubric: completeness (all required items present), growth (evidence of improvement over time), reflection quality (depth of self-evaluation), and effort (consistency of contribution). Weight growth and reflection higher than any single piece of work.

Beyond Tests: The Portfolio Approach to ESL Assessment