How can teachers use the Global Scale of English (GSE) and AI to help students set and achieve language learning goals for the new year?

As the new year rolls around, it’s the perfect time for students to set fresh language learning goals. But for teachers, it’s not just about inspiring students—it’s about giving them clear, measurable goals that they can actually achieve. That’s where the GSE, a very powerful tool, comes in. It can help teachers create personalized learning paths based on where students are right now and guide them toward their language goals throughout the year. Let’s dive into how the GSE can work to boost student progress.

What makes the GSE such a valuable tool?

The GSE is a precise framework that measures English proficiency with remarkable detail. Each score on the GSE aligns with specific speaking, listening, reading and writing competencies. For instance, a student with a GSE score of 50 might handle everyday conversations comfortably (B1 level), while a score of 75 indicates functioning at a more advanced level (C1).

What sets the GSE apart is its granularity—it goes beyond general levels of "intermediate" or "advanced," allowing teachers to identify exactly what their students can do at any stage. This level of detail enables teachers to set targeted, skill-specific goals for every learner, ensuring personalized and purposeful progression.

Assessing where students currently stand

Before setting goals, it’s important to determine each student’s current standing. The GSE is an excellent tool for this because it provides a detailed breakdown of a student's skills. Teachers can use GSE-aligned assessments to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, which gives a clearer picture than just knowing if a student is at an “intermediate” or “advanced” level.

Once you know where students are, you can set a baseline. For instance, if a student’s reading score is 52, you’ll know that they are likely in the B1 range, and you can target specific skills (like improving vocabulary or understanding main ideas) to move them forward.

Setting realistic, measurable goals

Now that you know where each student stands, it's time to set some goals. These should be realistic, measurable and achievable based on their current level and the time span involved. The key is to pick goals that will push them to improve without overwhelming them. The GSE has detailed descriptions of what students can do at each level. You can pinpoint specific skills that need attention by looking at these descriptors. We know that large goals can feel intimidating, so break them into smaller, manageable chunks. Here, the GSE is an amazing resource, thanks to its granularity.

Personalising learning with AI and the GSE

Using the GSE Learning Objectives (LOs) in conjunction with an LLM (Large Language Model)* opens up a world of possibilities for creating focused activities at the right level for each student. Here are some key points on how this combination enhances personalized learning:

• Individualized content: LLMs can generate targeted prompts and exercises based on the specific GSE LOs relevant to each student's proficiency level. This ensures that learners engage with content that is appropriate and aligned with their language goals.

• Tailored language practice: By incorporating an LLM into lessons, teachers can provide students with interactive language practice that adapts to their needs. ChatGPT can simulate conversations, allowing students to apply their language skills and receive immediate feedback in a supportive environment.

By combining the GSE LOs and harnessing the power of an LLM like ChatGPT, teachers can create personalized activities that cater to individual students' language needs, promote active learning, and foster continuous improvement.

*Disclaimer: Teachers should check and verify the level based on their understanding of their students, as LLMs like ChatGPT may not assess levels accurately. While GSE Learning Objectives can assist, it's essential to check and adjust its outputs accordingly. This could involve consulting GSE Grammar and Vocabulary to confirm appropriate levels or utilizing the Text Analyzer to ensure the text aligns with the desired level.

What comes next?

Setting goals is just the start—tracking progress and adjusting those goals as needed is just as important. Throughout the year, teachers should regularly check in with students to make sure they’re on track. How can we monitor and adjust? Here are some tips.

Teachers should schedule regular one-on-one sessions with students to review their progress. The GSE can clearly show students their progress.

If students are achieving their goals faster than expected, adjusting their targets is important to keep them challenged. If they’re struggling, the goals might need to be more achievable, with smaller, more gradual steps.

Using the GSE can help students set clear, measurable goals and steadily progress throughout the year. By assessing where students are starting, setting specific GSE-based goals, creating personalized learning paths with AI, and continuously tracking progress, teachers can create a more dynamic and effective learning experience for their students. The new year is the perfect opportunity to help students improve their English and achieve their goals—and with these tools, teachers have everything they need to guide students toward success.

Nicolas Chaparro is a Colombian language teacher with a bachelor's degree in basic education, specializing in humanities and languages. After spending five years working as a systems technician, he discovered the potential of technology to enhance learning, which ignited his passion for dynamic, tech-driven education. He has the privilege of working at one of Colombia's most prestigious English institutions, where he currently leads a team focused on education, creativity and motivation. 

The holiday season is a magical time and the perfect moment to spark a teacher's creativity. I've always believed that learning a language isn't just about studying—it's about living it. As a learner, I loved the resources my teachers and institutions provided, but what truly captivated me was the opportunity to engage with the world using the language skills I had acquired.

As a teacher, I strive to give my students that same experience. I didn't expect the holiday season to become the perfect setting to turn my teaching philosophy into reality. This blog post shares a personal story of how I used a creative activity to keep my students learning and practicing English during the holidays with the support of the Global Scale of English (GSE).

The challenge I faced: Mixed levels and ages

The activity I designed, Christmas Carols, presented two main challenges:

1. Diverse proficiency levels: My group included students ranging from beginners to advanced learners, all participating in the same activity. I wanted to have them all working together; that's what language means to me. 
2. Varied age groups: The students also spanned different age ranges, which required an effective approach to engage everyone. It was a Christmas gathering meeting with all the institution's students.

Basic students worked on identifying vocabulary that is similar to their native language and then used it in a short text. Intermediate students solved riddles to guess words that could be included in the lyrics. Advanced students completed questionnaires to build sentences and find synonyms to refine the text. The carol was divided into three sections: the first paragraph was for basic students, the second for intermediate students and the third for advanced students. I also included French students in the activity, which was designed for both languages.

After the students completed their tasks in separate groups, I mixed them so they could explain the vocabulary they had learned to one another. To facilitate communication without relying on Spanish, I used pictures and Christmas props to help them express themselves visually.

Finally, we all came together and sang the carol as one group.

Turning challenges into opportunities with the GSE

For me, a successful language activity needs three essential components: clear instructions, engaging resources and opportunities for interaction. With these principles in mind, I crafted an inclusive and dynamic activity, using the GSE to guide my planning.

Step 1: Defining the goal

I realized that most of my students didn't know specific Christmas-related vocabulary or any traditional English carols. This activity was also an opportunity to learn by myself and then share with them. This gap was my opportunity to introduce them to the holiday spirit in English.

Step 2: Planning with the GSE

I identified suitable goals for each proficiency level using the GSE Learning Objectives. These objectives helped me design tasks that targeted key skills—listening, speaking, reading and writing—while considering the ages and abilities of my students.

Step 3: Preparing a scavenger hunt

To make the activity interactive and fun, I organized a scavenger hunt. Students had to solve riddles and follow clues to find words essential for completing a Christmas song. The GSE objectives ensured that the tasks were appropriately challenging for each level.

Step 4: Pairing students effectively

Knowing my students well, I paired them strategically based on their proficiency and age. This pairing encouraged collaboration and allowed them to support each other throughout the activity.

Making language visible and memorable

One of my priorities was to make the language come alive. I brought visual aids like cards, games, and even a Christmas tree and a nativity scene—elements that most students recognized but had never explored in English. These visuals became valuable tools for teaching vocabulary in a tangible, engaging way.

To add another layer of interaction, I used my guitar to sing along with the students. By the end of the activity, not only were we singing, but they also understood the meaning behind every word. Watching them take pride in their learning was incredibly rewarding and I knew this vocabulary wouldn't stop there; they would take it home and make it real for them, for the season, for their life.

Reflections and an invitation

This experience reminded me of the power of teaching through real-life experiences. Holidays provide a unique opportunity to teach without teaching and to help students study while living the language. Tools like the GSE make it easier for us as educators to plan meaningful and impactful activities.

My invitation to fellow teachers is twofold:

1. Explore the GSE resources to enrich your teaching strategies.
2. Share your ideas and activities with the teaching community. Together, we can create opportunities for our students to use the language in real and virtual contexts that inspire learning and cooperation.

Let's make 2025 the year we bring language to life in every classroom.

Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

For many adult learners, mastering English isn’t just about gaining a new skill—it’s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

The challenges of learning English as an adult

Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt—an all-too-common experience among adult learners.

Many adults face similar challenges:

• Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
• Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
• Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

1. Setting SMART Goals

Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable “Can-do” statements, such as:

• Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
• Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Offering flexible learning options

Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

• Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
• Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners’ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

• Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
• Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

4. Encouraging weekly reflection

Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

• Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
• Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

Implementing the strategies

Here’s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

1. Assess and set goals

Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

2. Create flexible study plans

Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

3. Use authentic materials

Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner’s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

4. Encourage accountability

Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

5. Leverage personalized AI tools

Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners’ focus areas.

Why It matters

English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
For educators seeking further resources, Pearson’s GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

Celebrate education

To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.