New Language Learning Resources on TASDL

The TASDL (Teacher-Assisted, Student-Driven Learning) website offers a comprehensive collection of resources to help you improve your English skills independently. Created and curated by Steve McGuire (editor of this blogger page), this Google Sites page serves as a hub for guided self-study materials.

What You'll Find on TASDL

The main site at https://sites.google.com/nua.ac.jp/tasdl/home provides several key sections:

Blog Page - Stay updated with the latest additions and resources. New topics are added regularly, and blog posts appear both on the main blog page and their respective topic pages.

More Study for The English Gym (TEG) - This section offers resources specifically designed to supplement TEG materials, though some content overlaps with the Skills Practice pages.

Skills Practice Page - Find dedicated pages for each language skill: reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Additional pages cover vocabulary and grammar. There's also a separate section for AI-based resources that often complement the individual skills pages.

Google Gems and AI Tools for Language Practice - Discover various AI tools from different platforms that make English learning engaging and practical. Two specific GEMs have already been featured in detail on the blog:

• A Grammar Practice App that adapts to your CEFR level (A1-C1) and provides personalized grammar exercises [Link to blog post about Grammar Practice GEM]
• A Reading Practice App that generates level-appropriate texts on topics you choose  [Link to blog post about Grammar Practice GEM]

I have also written a blog post about how to make your own English Learning Gemini GEM. [Link to blog post about Grammar Practice GEM]

Community Sharing Page - Share helpful websites you've discovered or report any broken links on the site.

Prompt Writing for Language Learning - Learn how to craft effective prompts for independent English study using AI tools.

The site is bilingual, with key information provided in both English and Japanese to support learners at all levels. Whether you're working on specific skills or looking for AI-powered practice tools, TASDL provides a structured approach to self-directed English learning.

Little Language Lessons from Google: Making Language Practice More Personal with AI

Google is always coming out with new ways to learn. In other posts, I have written about using Google Gems. In this post, I will talk about Little Language Lessons. This looks like it might be a useful tool for language learning. You can even ask it to write using CEFR A2 level, which makes it easier for learners. You can try it here: 👉 https://labs.google/lll/en/experiments/tiny-lesson

Little Language Lessons is an experiment made by Google. That means it may disappear later or might become a regular feature in the future, so it’s good to try it while it’s still available. Right now, you can only access it using English, Spanish, and Portuguese, but I hope it broadens out to include other languages someday. Learning a new language is not only about textbooks or grammar exercises. It’s also about curiosity—finding small chances to learn every day. Maybe you learn something new when you order coffee, hear a short phrase in a movie, or try to describe what you see around you. These are great moments to practice and build confidence.

Little Language Lessons uses Google’s Gemini AI models to make learning more personal and fun. Each small tool helps you practice languages in a different way.

Tiny Lesson

This tool gives you useful words, phrases, and grammar tips for a specific situation, such as asking for directions or talking about the weather.

Slang Hang

This one shows you short, natural conversations that help you learn how people really speak, including slang and casual phrases.

Word Cam

This lets you point your camera at an object, and the app tells you what it’s called in another language, making it a simple and fun way to learn new words and practice vocabulary.

These small experiments are not made to replace regular study. Instead, they support your learning, helping you build habits, stay interested, and use your new language in everyday life. Learning becomes part of your daily world, not just something that happens in your classroom.

It would be easy to make a Gem that does something similar—giving short lessons, useful phrases, and real examples. 

Watch this space for that post!