How the GSE can help teachers personalize activities

Leonor Corradi
Leonor Corradi
A teacher stood at a students desk helping them

Reading time: 4.5 minutes

Teaching is an art form that thrives on adaptation and personalization. When dealing with language instruction, ensuring that each student is engaged and effectively learning is of paramount importance. In my experience as a teacher, I have learned that we should always teach our students rather than the coursebook or the syllabus. I think most teachers would agree with this.

However, it may be challenging to adapt activities to cater to our learners’ needs. What does personalizing an activity mean? How can we make it more accessible to our English learners? One would think that making the answers more obvious can be the way to go. Yet, this does not really help students learn and make progress. That's where the Global Scale of English (GSE) comes in as a valuable tool for personalizing teaching activities.

The essence of personalized learning

Personalizing an activity in language teaching does not simply mean making the responses more obvious. Instead, it's about tailoring the exercise to elevate the student's learning experience and potential for progress. This demands an insightful approach during the preparation phase of any given lesson.

Utilizing the GSE in language teaching

Let’s analyze this listening activity at A2 level for a group of adults:

Audio script example:

Emma: Are you working on the Media project?

Vic: Yes. I may start working on a new project in a couple of weeks, but for now I’m writing the objectives for Media. Why?

Emma: Well, Adam wants to see the photos for the project. He needs them for the ads.

Vic: Oh, they’ll be ready next week. OK?

Emma: Awesome! Thanks. Any plans for the weekend?

Vic: Well, I have to work on Saturday. We’re taking the Media pictures in the morning, but we’re just going to have fun at the beach in the afternoon.

Emma: Nice!

Vic: What about you? What are you doing this weekend?

Emma: I’m going to a concert on Sunday at 3 pm.

Vic: That sounds fun!

Listen and write T (true) or F (false)

1. Vic is working on a new project.

2.  Vic is working on Saturday morning.

3. Emma is going to a concert on Sunday evening.

GSE Descriptors

Upon dissecting this example by the GSE descriptors, we can identify the learning objectives that align with an A2 level:

  • Can identify simple information in a short video, provided that the visual supports this information and the delivery is slow and clear. (GSE 30)

  • Can identify basic factual information in short, simple dialogues or narratives on familiar everyday topics, if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 32)

  • Can understand the main information in short, simple dialogues about familiar activities, if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 33)

  • Can identify key information (e.g., places, times) from short audio recordings if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 33)

We know that learners should be given a global task first for overall listening, which is also one of the communicative objectives in the Global Scale of English:

List of options sat under comprehension: Finding specific information, listening/reading for detail, listening/reading for gist, overall listening/reading comprehension, recognizing a speakers/writers opinion or purpose, understanding main points

We can easily personalize the activity to include overall listening by adding a question before students are asked to solve the exercise:

Are the speakers a couple? or, Are the speaker's family?

The first question gets a No for an answer, whereas the answer to the second one can lead to a discussion. This is a good thing for it can generate a debate in which students have to account for their answers, which they can do after they complete the exercise.

In a similar matter, the GSE indicates that at this level, students can extract key factual information such as prices, times and dates from a recorded phone message (at level 35). For learners who are ready to expand their abilities further, additional questions can be posed to extract specific factual information, as indicated by the GSE for a level slightly above A2:

  • Vic is going to be at the beach in the ____________.

  • Emma is going to a concert on Sunday at ___________.

Through such adaptations, we cater to different proficiency levels within the same group, offering a degree of challenge that is suitable yet stimulating. We can also consider these learning objectives for listening when analyzing the items in a listening activity. Let me describe some possible scenarios.

Addressing challenges and enhancing motivation

What happens when the tasks set before young learners at the same A2 level don't offer the necessary support? The GSE guidelines stipulate that learners should have access to materials and certain assisting elements, like visuals or supplementary information. It's our responsibility as educators to incorporate this support, thereby aligning the exercise with the learners' capabilities.

Occasionally, certain tasks may exceed the current level of the students. For instance, students may be asked to make basic inferences in simple conversations on familiar everyday topics (level 38). A stratagem I employ involves segregating items into 'A' (level-appropriate) and 'B' (slightly more advanced). This provides students with a clear understanding of their expectations and offers an optional challenge.

If they do not get them right, they do not feel frustrated since they know these items are somewhat beyond their level but if they do at least one correctly, this works wonders on their motivation, which has a positive impact on learning. The more motivated students are, the more motivated we teachers will be. The synergy between student motivation and teacher motivation cannot be overstated, amplifying the learning experience for both parties.

Conclusion

The Global Scale of English is an instrumental guide in shaping teaching activities to fit the varied needs of students. By leveraging its comprehensive descriptors and specialized insights, we can personalize our approaches to teaching English, providing a richer and more rewarding educational landscape. As we refine our activities using the GSE, we contribute to a dynamic classroom environment where each student is given the opportunity to flourish in their language learning journey.

About the author

Leonor Corradi is an English teacher based in Argentina. She is a former member of the Foreign Languages Team at the National Ministry of Education in Argentina, in charge of English and coordinator of state plurilingual schools in the City of Buenos Aires. She has extensive experience as a materials designer and coursebook writer and is an academic consultant for different educational institutions such as the British Council and Ministries of Education in Latin America. 

She has run professional development courses for teachers and has presented extensively at national and international conferences. She is the author of the Curriculum for Foreign Languages for the City of Buenos Aires (2001, English) and has been an ELTons Judge since 2014. Leonor has been a member of the Global Scale of English (GSE) Advisory Board since 2014 and is a GSE Ambassador.

Learn more about the GSE

More blogs from Pearson

  • A group of teenagers talking together in a library
    How to encourage your teenage students to become independent learners
    By Nicola Pope
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Learning is a lifelong activity regardless of age, position or ambition. Many teachers embody this philosophy themselves, and would like nothing more than for their teenage students to develop strategies to become independent learners. But teachers often feel frustrated when their students rely on them too much or show a lack of motivation and focus in the classroom.

    Let’s look at how to start a project that holds your students’ attention. We’ll also go into how you can help your students practise and develop a range of English language skills at the same time.

    The benefits of starting a project that interests your students

    Group projects are motivating because they give students a common objective to work towards. The need to work as part of a team teaches teens collaboration skills such as accountability. When learners decide on roles within their groups it soon becomes apparent just how important it is for them to be responsible and do their part.

    Project work also often encourages students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones as they try and test new skills. This is often true when learners are required to present on a topic or learn how to do something practical (like using PowerPoint or Google Slides for presentation design).

    In addition, projects can test a variety of English language and 21st-century skills such as:

    • Critical thinking skills (for planning and development of ideas)
    • Topic/subject-specific vocabulary
    • Reading and listening comprehension (for researching)
    • Speaking skills (for group work)
    • Creative skills (for project development and production)
    • Presenting skills (for the final delivery of the project)

    Furthermore, when projects take place over several classes, students often eventually get into a routine and seek less direction from the teacher. They know what needs to be done and get on with it in their groups. Of course, you will still need to monitor and offer guidance throughout the project.

    The key elements of an independent learning project

    Find a meaningful subject matter

    First, you’ll need to start with a topic that engages your students. To discover this, put students in groups (online in breakout rooms or in the classroom) and have them work together and mind map some local, national or global problems they would like to solve.

    For example:

    • The local theater has closed down and they want to set up a new drama club.
    • There is a lot of pollution in the capital city and they want to help reduce it.
    • The rainforest is being deforested and they want to create awareness.

    After they have a good-sized list, instruct each group to pick something they would like to learn more about. Alternatively, if your students are unlikely to find interesting problems to solve themselves, provide them with several short, level-appropriate reading materials about topics you think will catch their attention. That way they can learn about local or international issues and choose a project focus.

    Balancing guidance and instruction

    A vital goal of this project-based approach is to encourage students to be independent. That does not mean they should have no boundaries or objectives, however.

    You’ll need to set deadlines, tell them what you expect of them and explain how they should present their projects at the end. And depending on their levels, your students will also need a certain amount of scaffolding. You can do this using a set of questions. For example:

    1. What is the main problem you want to solve?
    2. Who does it affect?
    3. Why is it important to change?
    4. What steps could you take to solve the issue?
    5. Who could help you do this?
    6. How could we do this as a group?
    7. How can we present the issue to make people care about it?

    These questions can form the basis of the project, which can last from one to several weeks, depending on their age, level and time constraints. Adapt the questions to suit your students and the specific needs of their projects.

    Facilitating teamwork

    Encourage students to work together to plan, research and present their ideas. Set days or classes by which certain project elements must be completed. This helps ensure that the students make progress and encourages them to ask you questions if they are stuck.

    Decide whether you want to give set times during your classes to work on the project, or whether you want to dedicate entire classes to their work. Also, think about how much work should be completed in your student's own time. Their workload, level of English and access to technology will all impact your decision.

    For example:

    • Class one: Define the problem you want to solve. Consider what you need to find out, decide on individual roles and develop an action plan. Show the teacher your progress.
    • Class two: Research your project questions and share what you find with the group. Is there anything else you need to know? Show the teacher your progress.
    • Class three: Come up with a presentation outline and begin to work on it.
    • Homework: Each work on your individual presentation section.
    • Class four: Show the teacher your progress. Practise your presentations.
    • Class five: Practise and then deliver your presentations.

    You may wish to allow students the freedom to choose how they would like to present it. Give instructions on how long you expect the presentation to be. If working remotely, collaboration tools such as Google Docs, Padlet and Trello are excellent for facilitating teamwork.

    Here are some ways you might ask them to present:

    • A poster and presentation
    • An online presentation (e.g. using PowerPoint)
    • A website (on paper or online)
    • A video presentation
    • A theatrical production
    • A podcast episode

    Keep in mind that the objective is to help them research, present and deliver a project in English. Check in regularly on progress and provide feedback and help whenever needed.

    While it’s important to monitor and guide them in English as they work, it’s also crucial to let students make their own decisions.

  • A woman reading papers while sat by a laptop
    Do English test results ever show the full picture?
    By Alice Bazzi
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    For admissions teams, English test results are more than just a number. They are a key indicator of whether a student is ready to succeed in an academic environment. But a common concern remains: can a test truly reflect a candidate's full language ability?

    The answer lies in how the assessment is designed.  

    PTE Express moves beyond traditional testing approaches by focusing on integrated, real-world language skills. Instead of evaluating skills in isolation, it measures how candidates use multiple skills together, reflecting the way English is applied in university settings.

    For example, test candidates may be required to listen to information and respond in writing, or read content and communicate their understanding verbally. These tasks reflect real academic activities, such as attending lectures, participating in discussions and completing written assignments.

  • A woman painting pumpkins with two children
    Halloween idioms and expressions in English
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Halloween is a great time to watch scary movies, tell ghost stories and learn new English expressions. But did you know that many English phrases are connected to fear, ghosts and the supernatural?

    Some of these expressions are used all year, not just at Halloween. Learning them can help you understand conversations, books, movies and everyday English.

    Here are some Halloween-related idioms and expressions, with simple meanings and examples to help you use them.

    1. Scared to death

    This expression means being extremely frightened. It does not mean that someone actually dies. 

    Example: The sudden noise scared me to death.

    You can use this phrase when something gives you a big fright, such as a scary movie or an unexpected noise.

    2. Give someone the creeps

    If something gives you the creeps, it makes you feel uncomfortable or afraid. 

    Example: That old doll gives me the creeps.

    You might use this expression to describe an unusual place or something that makes you feel uneasy.

    3. Make your blood run cold

    This expression describes something that makes you feel very frightened. 

    Example: The story about the haunted house made my blood run cold.

    It is often used when talking about frightening news, stories or experiences.

    4. A ghost town

    A ghost town is a place where very few people live or go. It can also describe a place that is unusually empty. 

    Example: The shopping mall was a ghost town on Sunday morning.

    Although this phrase sounds like it belongs in a scary story, people use it in everyday conversations.

    5. Come back to haunt you

    This expression means that something from your past causes problems for you later.

    Example: If you do not study for your exam, your decision could come back to haunt you.

    The phrase is often used when talking about mistakes, poor decisions or things people wish they had done differently.

    6. Skeletons in the closet

    This idiom means having secrets that someone does not want other people to discover.

    Example: The politician was worried that reporters would find the skeletons in his closet.

    The phrase is connected to Halloween imagery, but it is often used when discussing personal secrets or hidden problems.

    7. Like a bat out of hell

    This expression describes someone or something moving extremely fast. 

    Example: When the teacher said the lesson was over, the students ran out like bats out of hell.

    It is an informal phrase, so it is best used in casual conversations rather than formal writing.

    8. Witching hour

    The witching hour traditionally refers to a late-night time when supernatural events are believed to happen.

    Today, people may also use it humorously to describe a time when strange things happen or when someone becomes unusually active or difficult to manage. 

    Example: The baby always wakes up around midnight, so we call it the witching hour.

    The exact time associated with this expression can vary depending on the story or tradition.

    9. Dead tired

    If you are dead tired, you are extremely tired. The word dead adds emphasis to the expression. 

    Example: I was dead tired after working all day.

    This is a useful everyday expression, especially when talking to friends or family.

    You don't need to wait until Halloween to use them. Many of these idioms are common in everyday English, so practise them throughout the year to build your vocabulary and feel more confident when speaking.