Treat yourself to Twee’s Free AI Tools

by Kristi Reyes, OTAN Subject Matter Expert

Introduction

Adult educators who are early adopters have embraced the power of generative AI tools to create customized lesson materials, differentiate instruction, and save time. Using Large Language Models such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and others effectively requires an understanding of how to prompt the tools, but sometimes the output just does not give us what we are hoping for. Other times, the generative AI tool may “hallucinate” – give inaccurate information. In these cases, iterative prompting (conversing with the AI to give or request more clarity or by providing examples) can help, but by that point, how much time has truly been saved? These LLMs were not made specifically with educators in mind! On the contrary, at the time of writing, Twee provides more than 25 free AI tools designed specifically for English teachers. Users can create entire lessons for reading and vocabulary, breaking news, or listening based on a video within just a few minutes.

Here is an outline of the tools you can use for generating materials to teach the following skills (note that some of the tools can be used for more than one skill area):

Grammar

• Scrambled words in sentences
• Matching halves exercises

Listening

• Pre-listening warm-up discussion questions
• Questions based on audio and video
• Audio and video gap fill
• Choose the right video summary

Reading

• A text on a topic
• Open questions on a text
• Multiple-choice questions with one correct answer on a text
• True / False statements on a text
• Lead-in activities for a text
• All kinds of short texts (reading bits and pieces)
• Simplified or upgraded text (for adapting to your students’ level or for a multilevel course)

Speaking

• A dialogue on any topic
• Discussion questions
• Interesting facts on a given topic
• Advantages and disadvantages of a given topic
• Famous quotes on a given topic
• Four opinions on a given topic
• Link words into sentences

Vocabulary

• Gap fill
• Word definition matching
• Sentences with target vocabulary
• Communicative situations with target vocabulary
• Collocations from a text
• Rephrasing target vocabulary
• Word-Translation matching

Writing

• A list of essay topics on a given subject
• Creative writing with target vocabulary

To learn more about using the tool for generating questions based on video, see the Web-based Class Activities article Enhance Adult Education Lessons with Online Video Using AI Tools (July 2024).

At the time of writing, Twee touts its free plan as being available “forever.”

• 20 runs / month for Text Tools
• 10 runs / month for Media Tools
• 5-min input limit on media

I have been using Twee for longer than a year, and these features have been more than sufficient. However, there are pro and school subscriptions if more is needed. See Plans.

Connections to Best Practices

Teaching adults is much different from teaching K-12 in terms of adults’ readiness, motivation, and the need to know how course content is relevant to their needs and goals. As described in Chapter 3 – Foundations of Adult Education and Digital Learning of the California Adult Education Digital Learning Guidance, andragogy -- the teaching of adults -- “is process-based, meaning that educators focus on the learning process, rather than the specific content to be taught.” This means that in teaching listening, speaking, reading, or writing, we often have the freedom to co-create our teaching/learning plans with students, selecting topics that meet their interests and needs. Giving adult learners choices is a research-proven best practice for motivation and persistence.

This is where generative AI tools like Twee come in handy. When we allow students to have a voice in selection of class topics, the textbooks or other materials do not always align with student interests. Adult learners may want to learn about local topics and events in the news today. We can meet this demand through materials creation made easier via generative AI.

Free Lesson Materials

Twee’s Free Lesson Plans page has many examples of what users can do with the site. These grab-and-go resources categorized into Common European Framework (CEF) levels A1-2 (NRS low beginning – low intermediate), B1-2 (high intermediate - advanced), and C1-2 (advanced and above) can be downloaded as PDFs with answer keys.

Use Classroom Language and Small Talk for beginning to intermediate ESL at the beginning of a new class.

For EL Civics, see

• The Healthy Talk
• Simple Steps to Health
• Cross-Cultural Holiday Traditions

For IET, CTE, business English, or just to teach soft skills, see

• Networking Rules
• Office Manners
• From Clash to Collaboration
• Feedback Givers
• Work-life Balance

Do you want to start teaching your students about AI? AI Love and AI Therapy are short, high-interest lesson activities on topics that may seem like science fiction but that have been in the news quite a lot recently. These activities will get students talking and critically thinking about the role of Artificial Intelligence in our lives.

Several of the following free Twee materials could be used to enhance or supplement many of OTAN’s excellent Teaching with Technology (TwT) lesson plans:

• A journey into mysterious art or The Power of Art with Google Arts and Culture: An Artist or Work of Art Presentation
• Bridging Cultural Gaps with International Business Customs, Culture, and Etiquette Team Presentation
• Deconstructing Inspirational Speeches for advanced ESL and ABE Lesson Plans Generate A TED Talk with AI Assistance and Mirror Speeches
• Digital Footprint with Planning a Weekend or Day Trip with Low Carbon Footprint using AI
• Learning English With Memes with ImgFlip Meme Generator: Make a Meme to Demonstrate Learning
• Microplastics with Environmental Conservation Project
• Money Talks with California Career Zone: Make Money Choices or to introduce a math lesson or for financial literacy with websites such as Hands On Banking, FDIC: Money Smart, EconEdLink, or Consumer.gov Managing Your Money
• Welcome to my crib with TwT lessons Design your Dream Home and Generate and Describe a Dream Room with AI
• Writing Effective Complaint Emails with GCFGlobal: Learning to Email

Sample Web-Based Class Activities

1. Use Twee to generate dialogs for problem-based learning. Problem-based learning focuses on “real world applications using active learning methods” and is perfect in adult education because it helps learners perceive the connection between what they are learning and its application to their lives (Digital Promise Adult Learner Variability Navigator). With teacher guidance, even beginning ESL students can identify and list problems in their communities, families, and workplaces, but they often lack knowledge of language register or have inadequate vocabulary to confront problem situations. The Twee dialogue generator can be used for this purpose.

   

   Simply enter a topic, copy in text, upload an image, or paste the URL for a website.

   

   Enter target vocabulary, as desired, and select the level, grade, or age. Select “Do the magic!”

   

   The output will give options for shortening, simplifying, or upgrading.

   

   The result can be copied into a document, edited, or deleted. This is the dialogue Twee generated based on the identified problem of noisy neighborhood pets. Notice that the dialogue is not stilted and uses authentic language. Students could rewrite it with synonyms or in a more formal register, practice pronunciation, and role play.

   Tom: Hi, Mark. Can I have a word with you?
   Mark: Sure Tom, what's up?
   Tom: It's about your dog barking late at night.
   Mark: Oh, is it bothering you?
   Tom: Yes, I have trouble sleeping and the constant barking keeps me up most nights.
   Mark: I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was that loud.
   Tom: I understand dogs bark but lately it's been every single night.
   Mark: You know how it is, sometimes he just gets worked up for no reason.
   Tom: I get that. But could you please try to keep him quiet after 10pm?
   Mark: Absolutely, I'll make sure to bring him inside by then.
   Tom: Thanks, I really appreciate it.
   Mark: No problem. And if he does start barking again, feel free to come over and let me know.
   Tom: Will do. Thanks again.
   Mark: No worries, we all need our sleep.

   A thread of activities can be created by choosing a different option under “Don’t stop!”

   

   Note that Twee keeps all your generated content in your dashboard under “My Projects.”

2. Use Twee to generate authentic life-skills reading for CASAS and EL Civics assessment practice. Select “Reading bits and pieces.”

   

   Choose the type of output desired (price list, sign, ad, invitation, instructions, or headline).

   

   Enter a topic and target vocabulary. Select “Do the magic!” Notice, too, that generated output can be translated into many languages (all in beta).

   

   This is a price list for a restaurant menu created within a matter of seconds. It could be used for basic math practice, role plays, dialog writing, a team marketing and advertising project, and more.

   Appetizers
   Chips and guac - Freshly made guacamole served with crispy tortilla chips. $8
   Vegan ceviche - A refreshing mix of marinated vegetables and citrus, perfect for a light start. $10
   Spicy sweet potato fries - Crispy sweet potato fries tossed with a spicy seasoning blend. $7

   Tacos
   California burrito - A hearty burrito filled with carne asada, fries, and cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla. $12
   Fish taco - Grilled fish topped with cabbage slaw and a zesty lime crema. $11
   Vegetarian taco - A delicious blend of seasonal vegetables and black beans wrapped in a corn tortilla. $10

   Drinks
   Macho margaritas - A bold margarita made with premium tequila and fresh lime juice, served on the rocks. $9
   Agave mojito - A refreshing mix of muddled mint, agave syrup, and lime with a splash of soda. $8
   Pineapple jalapeño cocktail - A unique blend of pineapple juice and jalapeño for a spicy twist. $10

   Desserts
   Churros - Crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar, served with chocolate sauce. $6
   Flan - A creamy, traditional caramel custard dessert that melts in your mouth. $5

3. Use Twee’s Breaking News Lesson tool to create an entire reading lesson on a current event or topic. Select Breaking News Lesson and proceed through the steps to generate a lead-in activity to introduce the topic, create open questions to check reading comprehension, and produce discussion questions to elicit students' opinions about the news piece.

   Paste text or a website URL or upload an image to generate three ideas for lead-in activities:

   

   Choose the next activity under “Don’t stop!” – multiple choice questions, true/false statements, open questions, or dialogue – and follow the on-screen prompts.

   

   Select “Copy” and then paste the output to a document. Continue until you have all the activities you want.

   These lesson activities (Google Doc) are generated from the CBS8 online article California schools look to ban smartphone use during school day: Three suggested lead-in activities, multiple choice questions, open questions, and four opinions (which could be a four corners activity – see the Teacher Toolkit if you are unfamiliar with this engaging activity). As a follow-up, I used Twee’s “Create a list of essay topics on a given subject” tool to generate five personal essay and five general essay prompts on the topic of banning cell phones in schools. Students could be assigned to debate or write on any selected prompt.

   All this took a matter of minutes. However, please note: The output any generative AI tool provides should always be verified before using with students.

How-To (For Teachers)

Each tool has similar steps for use. After creating a free account and logging in, select the tool you want to use and follow the on-screen prompts.

Output can be edited, and for generated one-answer questions, correct answers are provided. Export to Google Forms or PDF is available only with a Pro account.

See the video Twee: AI-Powered Tools to Create Personalized Lesson Materials (9:43) for a comprehensive tutorial on using the site.

Other Twee Resources

See the Twee YouTube channel for tutorials and more information on using the site and the Twee Blog for teaching tips.

References

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Supporting Learning and Motivation (2012). United States: National Academies Press.