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 worksheets 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 worksheets to PDF?

Absolutely. Every worksheet 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 10 worksheets per month with 4 exercise types and standard templates. The Pro plan ($4.99/month or $3.33/month billed yearly) unlocks unlimited worksheets, all 11 exercise types, custom branding, and priority AI processing.

Can I customize the worksheet with my school branding?

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

Using Podcasts to Teach ESL Listening | Lesson Framework

The Problem with Podcast Lessons

Podcasts are an incredible resource for authentic English. But too often, 'podcast lessons' consist of a teacher playing a 15-minute audio clip while students stare blankly at their desks, followed by 'So, what did you think?'

Listening to a foreign language continuously for more than 3 minutes without a task is overwhelming. Students tune out, lose confidence, and learn very little.

To use podcasts effectively, you must scaffold the listening experience.

The 3-Step Framework

A successful listening lesson requires three phases: Prepare, Focus, and Respond.

1. Pre-Listening (The Setup)
Never play audio 'cold'. Activate their schema first.
- Look at the title and artwork. Predict what the podcast is about.
- Pre-teach 3-5 critical vocabulary words that are essential for understanding the main idea.
- Give them a reason to listen: 'We are going to listen to the first 2 minutes. I want you to find out WHY the speaker moved to Japan.'

2. While-Listening (The Task)
Students must have a pen in their hand and a task to complete while the audio plays.
- First Listen (Gist): Play a short segment (2-3 mins). Ask 2 broad questions. (e.g., 'Does the host agree or disagree with the guest?')
- Second Listen (Detail): Play the exact same segment again. Give a gap-fill worksheet (generated by DrillKit) or specific true/false questions.

3. Post-Listening (The Reaction)
Move from passive listening to active production.
- Discuss reactions in pairs: 'Would you have done the same thing as the host?'
- Role-play an interview with the podcast guest.
- Write a short comment that you would leave on the podcast's website.

The Golden Rules of Audio

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Keep It Short

Use 2-4 minute clips in class, never full 30-minute episodes.

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Always Have a Task

Listening without a specific task tests patience, not comprehension.

✂️

Cut the Fluff

Skip the intro music, ads, and banter. Start right at the content.

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Teacher Tip

"Use the 'Jigsaw Listening' technique. Divide the class into A and B. Group A listens to the first 2 minutes of a story. Group B listens to the next 2 minutes. Bring them together in A/B pairs to reconstruct the entire narrative."

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I let students read the transcript while listening?

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Sometimes. For the first listen, try without transcripts to build real-world listening skills. For the second listen, providing the transcript helps them match the spoken sounds to the written words (bottom-up processing).

How does DrillKit help with podcast lessons?

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Copy the podcast transcript and paste it into DrillKit. Generate a gap-fill exercise, true/false questions, and discussion prompts in 30 seconds. You just created a complete 'While-Listening' activity.

How to Actually Use Podcasts in the ESL Classroom