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.

Teaching Discourse Markers in English: ESL Guide | DrillKit Blog

What Discourse Markers Actually Do

Students often learn discourse markers as synonyms: 'however = but' and 'furthermore = also.' This is incomplete and leads to misuse. Discourse markers don't just add or contrast — they signal the speaker's relationship to their own message.

'However' signals a genuine reversal: 'I expected X; however, Y happened instead.' 'Nevertheless' signals persistence despite the contrary: 'The evidence is weak; nevertheless, I maintain my position.' These aren't interchangeable — and treating them as such produces writing that confuses sophisticated readers.

Discourse Marker Categories and Nuances

Addition: also / in addition / moreover / furthermore / besides
'Moreover' and 'furthermore' are typically used for the strongest additional argument. 'Besides' is more informal and often defensive ('Besides, it would have been inappropriate').

Contrast: however / although / while / whereas / nonetheless
'Although' introduces the weaker point ('Although tired, she continued' = despite tiredness, continuing is the main point). 'Whereas' signals pure contrast between equal elements ('Blue suits are formal, whereas grey suits are versatile').

Concession: even though / despite / in spite of / no matter what
Concession acknowledges the opponent's point without abandoning your own. 'Even though the study has limitations, its conclusions are broadly supported.'

Cause-Effect: because / since / as / consequently / as a result / therefore / hence
'Therefore' is formal and signals logical conclusion. 'As a result' is cause-effect but slightly broader. 'Hence' is academic and often archaic-sounding in speech.

Spoken discourse markers (often neglected in teaching):
'Right...', 'Well...', 'Actually...', 'I mean...', 'You know what I mean?', 'Having said that...', 'Mind you...'. These manage conversation and signal thinking, attitude, and correction.

Discourse Marker Types

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Addition

'Furthermore / moreover / besides' — strongest arguments last, register awareness critical

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Contrast & Concession

'However / whereas / despite' — signal different relationships between contrasted elements

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Spoken Markers

'Well / actually / having said that' — manage conversation flow, often neglected in teaching

Teacher Tip

“Create a 'connector pyramid' exercise: give students an underpunctuated text without any connectors. Ask them to add appropriate ones, then compare choices. 'Why did you use 'therefore' here and I used 'as a result'? What's the difference?' The discussion of connector choice reveals understanding of nuance that fill-in-the-gap exercises never surface.”

Frequently Asked Questions

At what level should discourse markers be taught?

Basic connectors (and, but, because, so) from A1. Addition and contrast connectors (however, although, in addition) from B1. Concession, cause-effect, and nuanced register from B2. Spoken discourse markers and pragmatic functions from C1.

Is it bad to overuse discourse markers?

Yes — excessive discourse marking is a common B2 essay problem: 'Furthermore... Moreover... Additionally... In addition...' in every paragraph. Teach students that not every statement needs a connector — excessive marking feels mechanical rather than fluent.

Are there cultural differences in discourse marker use?

Yes — academic writing in English discourages some connectors that are acceptable in other European academic traditions. 'In conclusion' to start every closing paragraph, or beginning sentences with 'And' or 'But' in formal writing, varies across conventions.

Teaching Discourse Markers: The Connectors That Make Language Flow