The ABC Tools, Guide

Lesson Plan Generator

When to use it

When you need a full lesson fast: cover lessons, a new topic, a one-to-one client, or a first draft to adapt to your own class. Also handy for schemes of work, course schedules and simple invoices.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Fill in Topic / Theme, CEFR Level, Duration and Learner Context; pick a Lesson Structure and the Primary Skills.
2. Click “Generate Lesson Plan”, or “Generate Everything: Plan & Materials” to get the student handout too.
3. Read the plan in the Generated Output panel. Use “Adapt plan” to change level, timing or focus without starting again.
4. Switch “Teacher copy: answer key shown” on or off, then “Print / Save as PDF”, “PowerPoint” or “Save” to keep it in My Lessons.
5. Use the Scheme of Work, Teacher Admin and Invoice tabs for a whole course, class profiles and billing.

Sharing with participants

“Share” puts the whole lesson in a link: anyone who opens it sees a read-only copy. “Present” gives you a clean projector view; “Try online” opens the student tasks as interactive exercises.

Tips

• Write two or three lines in Learner Context (age, nationality, why they are learning): the plan improves a lot.
• Turn on Materials-light Mode for classes with no printer or projector.
• “Easy-read” enlarges the text for the whiteboard; “Edit text” lets you rewrite any line before printing.

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Otto's Lesson Studio Pro

When to use it

For observed lessons, exam classes, business one-to-ones, young learners and conversation clubs, or whenever you want the plan to run the lesson for you on screen.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Pick a mode at the top: Lesson, Exam Power Hour, Young Learners, Grammar Clinic, Conversation Club or Business 1-to-1.
2. Fill in the same core fields as the free generator (topic, level, duration, learner context) and any Exam Focus.
3. Click “Generate everything: plan + student materials”.
4. Press “Teach live” to run the lesson stage by stage with a timer: Pause, Back, Next and “Finish lesson”.
5. Print, export to PowerPoint, or Save to My Lessons.

Sharing with participants

Same as the free generator: “Share” creates a read-only link; “Present” is the projector view; student materials can be opened as online tasks with “Try online”.

Tips

• “Teacher-speak, explained” decodes the methodology jargon (CCQ, ICQ, TTT…) if you are new to it.
• Class Profiles remember each group, so the plan is tailored without retyping.
• Use the timing contingencies when a stage overruns: the plan already tells you what to cut.

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Live Polling

When to use it

Warm-ups, exit tickets, checking understanding mid-lesson, workshop icebreakers, or any moment you want honest, anonymous input from the room.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Give the poll a title and add your first question; choose the type and options, and “Add option” as needed.
2. Add more questions with the arrows to reorder them, then click “Show on screen →”.
3. Project the screen: participants scan the QR code or type the 5-letter code at the join page.
4. Move through questions with “Next →” and “← Previous”; bars grow as votes arrive.
5. Finish with “End & close”, then “Save as PDF”, “Save as spreadsheet” or “Save to a file”.

Sharing with participants

• QR code and join code on the presenter screen; nobody installs anything or creates an account.
• “Copy shareable link” reopens the same poll later or hands it to a colleague; “Embed code” drops the live chart into a web page.
• “Save to my account” keeps the poll in Your saved polls so you can rerun it.

Tips

• Keep option labels short: they become bar labels on the projector.
• Use a word-cloud question for one-word reactions and a scale question for confidence checks.
• “Clear answers” resets a question so you can ask it again after teaching the point.

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Word Cloud

When to use it

Brainstorms, opening questions, vocabulary reviews, feedback at the end of a session, or as the first step of an essay with Writing Studio.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Choose “Live” for an audience cloud or “From text” to paste your own text; pick a colour theme.
2. Type your prompt (e.g. “One word for how today makes you feel”) and click “Start word cloud”.
3. Show the QR code and link under “Let the audience join”; words appear as people send them.
4. Use “Refresh” to redraw, “Reset” to start again, then “Download PNG”, “Download SVG”, “Save as image” or “Print”.
5. Optional: click “Plan a writing task with Otto” to open Writing Studio from the cloud.

Sharing with participants

• Share link + QR code; the join page never asks participants to sign in.
• “Save QR code” downloads the QR for a slide or handout; “Embed” gives you an iframe for a web page.
• “Download data” exports the words and counts.

Tips

• Set “Minimum word length” to hide “a”, “the” and similar noise.
• In Writing Studio, use a preset rubric, paste your own, or “Let Otto draft one”; students answer Otto's questions and get a plan to copy.
• Print the cloud at the end of a course as a memento.

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Question Board

When to use it

Q&A after a talk, “what do you already know?” at the start of a unit, community consultations, or reflections at the end of a session.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Under “Create a question” write the question, an optional context line, and click “Add question”.
2. Open “Share this question”: copy the link or show the QR code.
3. Participants type a response (name optional) and tap “Post”; responses appear on the wall.
4. Toggle between List and Word cloud view; star the best ones.
5. Use “Host tools” to “Export CSV”, “Embed” or “Delete question”.

Sharing with participants

Link and QR code per question; no sign-in for participants. The Embed option shows the live wall on any web page.

Tips

• One clear question per board works better than a vague “any questions?”.
• Read starred items aloud to close the session.
• Export the CSV before deleting a question: deletion is final.

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Attendance Register

When to use it

Workshops, open days, CPD sessions, conferences and any event where a paper sign-in sheet used to live on a table by the door.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Fill in Event details: title, date, location, and an optional event logo.
2. Choose Registration fields: Email, Phone, Institution, Role / Status, Online / In-person, or “Add custom field”.
3. Click “QR & open register”. Show the QR on a screen or print it.
4. Attendees scan, complete the form and see “You're registered!”; arrivals appear live in the register.
5. Search the list, then export with “CSV” or “PDF”; “End session” closes check-in.

Sharing with participants

QR code, “Copy link”, or “Embed on a page” for your website. The sign-in form is public; the register is only on your screen.

Tips

• Print the QR at A4 for the door and keep a phone open on the register for late arrivals.
• Use a custom field with options (one per line) for workshop choices or dietary needs.
• Export before you close the tab: the register lives in this browser.

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Source Check

When to use it

Information-literacy lessons, research projects, debates, or a quick sanity check before citing something in an essay.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Choose the source type: Web page, News article, Social media post, Academic paper, Book or Other.
2. Say who the check is for (optional) and click “Start evaluation →”.
3. Answer each step (Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, Trace claims, then Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) with “Next →” / “← Back”.
4. Read the verdict and the reflection questions.
5. Copy, save or print the result card; “New evaluation” starts again.

Sharing with participants

Print the result card or copy the text into a document. Students can each run their own check on the same link.

Tips

• Run it once as a class on the projector before asking students to do it alone.
• Use the EN/IT switch in the tool for bilingual groups.
• Keep the printed card with the essay draft as evidence of research.

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Digital Skills Check

When to use it

At the start of a digital-skills course, in one-to-one support sessions, or to plan training for a team.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Open the tool and read the short intro on “Where are you with digital skills?”.
2. For each statement tap “I can do this”, “I'm learning” or “I need help”.
3. Click “See my results” to get “Your digital skills picture”, domain by domain.
4. Use “Print results card”, or “Get share link” and “Copy” to keep the results.
5. “Start over” clears everything for the next person.

Sharing with participants

Give learners the tool link; each person's result has its own share link that opens on a public results page, so they can send it to a tutor.

Tips

• Do it on a tablet with the learner rather than for them.
• Repeat at the end of the course and compare the two cards.
• The language switch (EN/IT) is inside the tool.

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Discussion Kit

When to use it

Book clubs, literature circles, seminar preparation, or a reading lesson you need to plan on the train.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Enter Book title and Author, pick a Genre and any Themes that fit.
2. Choose Purpose: “Book-club discussion” or “Educational / classroom”.
3. Set Group size (Small / Medium / Large) and Session length (60 / 90 / 120 min).
4. Click “Generate session plan” and read the four stages.
5. “Print / Save as PDF”, “Export as text”, or “Build another”.

Sharing with participants

Print the plan or export the text and paste it into an email to participants.

Tips

• Choose Educational purpose for comprehension-and-analysis questions; Book-club for warmer, opinion-led prompts.
• Pick two or three themes, not ten; the questions get sharper.
• Cut the plan to the time you really have; the stages are modular.

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Describe It

When to use it

Speaking practice, vocabulary revision, Friday-afternoon energy, or a warm-up for reluctant speakers.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Set Team A name and Team B name, Round length and Target score to win.
2. Click “Start game”, then “Start round ▶” for the first team.
3. The describer sees the card; the team guesses. Tap “Got it +1” for a correct guess, “Foul −1” for a forbidden word, “Skip” to pass.
4. Rounds alternate automatically; the first team to the target wins. “New game” resets.

Tips

• Put the describer with their back to the projector and let the class see the card.
• Use a shorter round (30 s) with strong groups, longer with beginners.
• Make the “foul” judge a student for extra listening practice.

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Rubric Builder & Grader

When to use it

Essays, presentations, projects, and any assessment where you want consistent marks and feedback you can hand back quickly.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Type the Assignment title, or “Load sample rubric” to see the format.
2. Click “+ Criterion” for each row; set its weight and the level descriptors.
3. Enter a Student name and choose a level on each row; the weighted score updates.
4. Add a short note to the student and click “Generate feedback”.
5. “Copy” or “Download .txt” the feedback; repeat for the next student.

Tips

• Keep to four or five criteria; more makes grading slower and less consistent.
• Share the rubric with students before the task so they know what counts.
• Weight the criterion you have actually taught this week the most.

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Writing Checker

When to use it

Marking homework, self-checking a draft before handing it in, or showing a class the most common slips in their own writing.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Paste or type the writing into the box on “Check & mark writing”.
2. Read the Readability panel and the Marked up text.
3. In “Marks — tap to toggle” switch marks on or off (“All on” / “All off”), and choose “Red underline” or “Indicators (sp. t. ww)”.
4. Use “Coach” for explanations of each mark.
5. Click “Send marked copy to a student ▸”, add Student, Title, Grade and Note, and “Send”.

Sharing with participants

The “Send to a student” link carries the marked-up text; the student opens it without an account.

Tips

• Use Indicators mode (sp. / t. / ww) to make students find and fix errors themselves.
• Aim for a readability level one step above the class level.
• For handwritten work, use Otto's Red Pen instead.

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Otto's Red Pen

When to use it

Teacher marking of paper homework, student self-check before handing in, or a class report to plan next week's lesson.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Choose “Student” (self-check) or “Teacher” mode.
2. Tap “Take / choose photo”, or “Type it instead” to paste text; “Add more” for several pages.
3. Click “Mark this ✏️”. Read “The work, in red pen”, “Corrections” and “Otto says”; “Reveal corrections” in student mode.
4. Use “Copy feedback”, “Download PDF” or “Listen”.
5. For a whole class: “Class set”, add every paper, “Mark the class set ✏️”, then read the Class report and the suggested mini-lesson.

Tips

• Photograph in good light, flat on the desk, one page per photo.
• Choose “Summary only” for a quick class overview, “Every paper” for full detail.
• Copy the practice sentences from the class report straight into next lesson.

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Speaking Lab

When to use it

Pronunciation drills, fluency homework, and live captioning of a talk or a student presentation.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Pick a tab: Pronunciation Mirror, Read-Aloud Fluency or Live Captions.
2. Allow microphone access when the browser asks.
3. Mirror: listen to the model, record yourself, compare. Fluency: read the passage aloud and read your timing and accuracy.
4. Captions: press start and project the wall; words appear as you speak.

Tips

• Use Chrome or Edge on a laptop for the most reliable speech recognition.
• Headphones with a mic give much cleaner results in a noisy room.
• Captions are a great accessibility aid for guest speakers.

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Minimal Pairs Trainer

When to use it

Pronunciation lessons, homework for a specific L1 problem, or a two-minute warm-up.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Choose a Sound contrast (e.g. /s/ vs /ʃ/, /p/ vs /f/, /s/ vs /z/).
2. Click “Start training”; press the speaker button to hear the word and pick which one you heard.
3. Finish the round to see your score on “Done!”, then “Train again”.

Tips

• Choose the contrast that matches your students' first language (Italian speakers: /ɪ/ vs /iː/, /θ/ vs /s/).
• Replay the word before answering; the point is listening, not speed.

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Sentence Builder

When to use it

Grammar practice on word order, question forms and connectors; quick starters; self-study.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Tap the chunks in order to build the sentence; “Clear” to start again.
2. Click “Check”; then write your own sentence on the same pattern in the box.
3. “Next ▶” for the next item; “Done” to finish and see the summary.
4. “Load my sentences” lets you paste your own set, one sentence per line.

Tips

• Paste sentences from this week's coursebook unit for instant tailored practice.
• Ask students to read their variation aloud to a partner.

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Paragraph Reorder

When to use it

Reading and writing lessons on cohesion, linking words and paragraph structure; exam preparation.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Paste a paragraph and click “Load” (or use the sample).
2. Move sentences with the ▲ ▼ arrows until the order feels right.
3. Click “Check order”; “Shuffle again” for another attempt.

Tips

• Ask students to underline the words that told them the order (then, however, this…).
• Use model answers from past exam papers as the source text.

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Collocation Builder

When to use it

Vocabulary lessons at B1 and above, exam writing preparation, self-study.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Choose a Set (topic) at the top.
2. Match each Verb / Adjective with the right Noun.
3. Write a sentence using one pair in “Your sentence…” and click “Done”.

Tips

• Say the pair aloud as one unit; that is how it is stored in memory.
• Follow up in WordLab (free) to see real examples of the collocation.

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Listening Gap-Fill

When to use it

Listening homework, spelling of function words, exam dictation practice.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Paste a text, or click “Sample text”; set “Gaps” and choose a “Voice”.
2. Click “Start ▶” and type into the gaps while you listen; use the speaker button to replay and “Slower” if needed.
3. Click “Check”, then “Reveal” for the answers; “New text” to go again.

Tips

• Start with fewer gaps and a slower voice, then increase.
• Use the text of a song or a short news item the class already knows.

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Text Leveller

When to use it

Adapting authentic articles for a mixed-level class, differentiating reading tasks, checking your own worksheets.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Paste the text; the readability score and estimated CEFR level appear.
2. Choose a Target level and click “Level with Otto”.
3. Compare the two versions and click “Copy result”.

Tips

• Generate two levels of the same article and give each group the one that fits.
• Check names, numbers and facts in the simplified version before printing.

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Forms & Surveys

When to use it

Course feedback, sign-ups, needs analysis, event evaluations, or a simple contact form on your website.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Under “Start from a template” pick one, or “Build from scratch”; give the form a Title and Description.
2. Add questions with “Add a question”, set the type and options (“+ option”), reorder with ↑ ↓, star required ones.
3. Check the Live preview, then “Publish & create live link”.
4. Share the link, QR or 5-letter code; responses arrive under “Collect responses live”.
5. Export with “CSV” or “Print / PDF”; “Export HTML” makes a standalone form for your own site.

Sharing with participants

• Copy link, QR code and a short join code at the “Join with a code” page.
• “Embed on a page” gives an iframe; “Export HTML” lets you post submissions to your own endpoint (e.g. Formspree).
• Saved forms are listed under “My saved forms”.

Tips

• Choose Basic or Detailed question mode depending on how much you want to configure.
• Keep surveys under ten questions; completion drops fast after that.
• Sign in before publishing: collecting live responses needs a member session.

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Skills Directory

When to use it

Staff rooms, departments, volunteer networks, or any group that keeps asking “does anyone know how to…?”.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Click “Add yourself to the directory”: Name, Role, Organisation / location, Languages spoken.
2. Tick “Skills you can share” and “Skills you'd like to learn”, add Other skills, and what you are “Willing to” do.
3. Add “How colleagues can reach you” and click “Add to directory”.
4. Search by skill, name, location or language; “Edit” your own entry any time.
5. “Share the directory”: Export JSON to pass it on, Import JSON to merge, Export text or Print / PDF.

Sharing with participants

The directory is a file you own: export JSON and send it to colleagues, who import it into their copy; or print it for the notice board.

Tips

• Agree a short skills vocabulary first so searches match.
• Leave the contact field blank if you prefer to be reached via the team.

FAQ

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Event Calendar

When to use it

School terms, department events, a chain of venues, or any team that needs one place to see what is on.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Click “Add event”: Event title, Date & time, Organisation / location, Territory / area, Category, Format, Description, optional Link.
2. Switch between Calendar and List; use the ← → arrows to move months; filter by category.
3. “Edit” or “Delete” events as they change.
4. Open “Share & sync” to “Share by link”, “Export iCal (.ics)”, “Export JSON” or “Import JSON”.

Sharing with participants

“Share by link” creates a read-only public calendar page with a QR code; “Share” on a single event gives a link for that event. Import a colleague's JSON to merge calendars.

Tips

• Export .ics and subscribe in Google or Apple Calendar for reminders.
• Nominate one person to merge JSON files weekly if several people add events.

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Scheduler

When to use it

Tutoring slots, discovery calls, parent meetings, office hours.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Under “Create your booking page” enter Your name / business and a Page title, then “Create booking page”.
2. In “Add availability” set Date, Start time, Minutes and an optional Label, and click “Add slot” for each slot.
3. Copy the link under “Your booking page” and send it.
4. Watch “Your slots & bookings” fill up.

Sharing with participants

“Share this link with your clients”: one link, no sign-in for them.

Tips

• Add slots two or three weeks ahead so the page never looks empty.
• Use the Label to distinguish “Discovery call” from “1:1 lesson”.

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SEO Toolkit

When to use it

Before publishing a new page, when a client asks “why aren't we on Google?”, or to produce clean structured data.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Audit tab: paste the Page HTML (or “Load sample”) and click “Run audit” to get a Score, Checks and Top keywords.
2. Meta tags tab: fill in Page title, Meta description, Canonical URL, Site name, Share image URL and Twitter handle; “Copy”.
3. Schema tab: choose a Type and fill Page details to generate JSON-LD.
4. Preview tab: check the Google result and Social card.

Tips

• Fix the red checks first; they are the ones that block indexing.
• Keep titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 155.

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First-Click Test

When to use it

Testing a homepage, a menu, a poster or an app screen with a class, a team or real users.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Under “Set up the test” upload a Screenshot of the design and write The task / question.
2. Click “Start test →”. Show the join code and QR.
3. Participants open the join page, enter the code, read the task and tap once.
4. Watch the heatmap build; “End” when done, “Clear” to reuse the design.

Sharing with participants

Join code and QR on the presenter screen; participants need nothing but a browser.

Tips

• Ask one specific task per test (“Where would you click to check out?”).
• Test the old and new design back to back for a fair comparison.

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CSS Toolbox

When to use it

Prototyping a look, teaching CSS, or getting a value right without reloading a page twenty times.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Pick a tab: Gradient, Box shadow, Glassmorphism, Border radius or Text shadow.
2. Drag the sliders (Angle, Blur, Spread, Offset, Transparency…) and “+ add stop” for gradients.
3. Click “Copy” and paste the CSS into your stylesheet.

Tips

• Glassmorphism needs something colourful behind it to be visible.
• Use two shadows (one tight, one soft) for realistic depth.

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When can you meet?

When to use it

Parent meetings, staff meetings, group projects, a lesson that needs rescheduling, or dinner with friends.

Start in 60 seconds

1. Under “Create a meeting poll” type a Title, Your name and optional Location / notes.
2. Add Time options with Date, Start and End; “Add option” for each; “Save options”.
3. Click “Create poll”, then “Copy participant link” under “Share your poll”.
4. Participants open the link, tick when they can, and “Submit my availability”.
5. Open the Results link, then “Finalize best option”.

Sharing with participants

Two links: a Participant link for everyone and a Results link for you. No account for participants.

Tips

• Offer three to five options; more choice means fewer replies.
• Put the participant link in the meeting invitation itself.

FAQ

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