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AI for ESL Teacher

Use Google Slides with Gemini to Build ESL Lesson Presentations

Tool:Google Slides
AI Feature:Gemini sidebar
Time:15 minutes
Difficulty:Beginner

What This Does

Google Slides has a Gemini AI sidebar that helps you generate slide content, create vocabulary slides from a word list, and build structured lesson presentations — without designing each slide from scratch. For ESL teachers who use slides to present vocabulary, grammar explanations, or lesson content, this cuts presentation prep time from an hour to 15 minutes.

Before You Start

  • A Google account with access to Google Slides
  • Your lesson topic, vocabulary list, or content outline
  • Time needed: 15 minutes for a 10-slide lesson presentation
  • Cost: Free with Google account (Gemini in Slides is available on free accounts in supported regions)

Steps

1. Open Google Slides and access Gemini

Go to slides.google.com and open an existing presentation or click Blank to start new. Look for the Gemini icon (sparkle/star) in the top right of the toolbar or in a sidebar panel. Click it to open the Gemini panel.

What you should see: A Gemini chat panel opens on the right side of the screen. If you don't see it, try Extensions → Gemini for Google Workspace or check that your Google account supports this feature. It's rolling out gradually.

Troubleshooting: If Gemini isn't available in your Slides, use the free-chatbot approach: generate slide content in Claude or ChatGPT (ask for "slide-by-slide content for a 10-slide ESL lesson"), then paste it into Slides manually.

2. Ask Gemini to generate your lesson slides

In the Gemini panel, describe the lesson you want. Be specific:

"Create a 10-slide ESL lesson presentation on the topic of 'healthy eating' for A2 adult learners. Include: (1) title slide, (2) vocabulary introduction with 6 words, (3) a short reading text, (4) 3 comprehension questions, (5) speaking discussion questions, (6) a grammar focus on countable vs. uncountable nouns, (7) practice sentences, (8) a real-life application activity, (9) homework assignment, (10) exit ticket."

What you should see: Gemini generates a slide outline or drafts content for multiple slides. You can click Insert to add the suggested content directly to your presentation.

3. Build your vocabulary slides

For vocabulary slides specifically, ask: "Create 6 vocabulary slides for these words: [list your words]. Each slide should have: the word in large text, a simple definition in English (max 15 words), and one example sentence at A2 level."

What you should see: Six slide's worth of content generated in order. Insert and resize the text boxes as needed.

4. Add visuals

After generating text content, search for images using Slides' built-in image search: Insert → Image → Search the web. Type the vocabulary word and find a clear, relevant photo. Drag to resize and position alongside the word and definition.

5. Customize and finalize

Review each slide, correct any inaccuracies, add your program name or school logo, and adjust font sizes for classroom visibility (minimum 24pt for projected text). Save and you're ready to present.

Real Example

Scenario: You're starting a new unit on "Finding a Job" for your A2 adult ESL class. You need a 10-slide introductory lesson presentation.

What you type to Gemini: "Create a 10-slide ESL lesson on job searching for adult A2 learners. Vocabulary words: application, interview, resume, hire, salary, workplace. Include a short reading about a person looking for a job, speaking practice questions, and 5 fill-in-the-blank grammar sentences using simple past tense."

What you get: A complete slide-by-slide content outline covering all your lesson sections. Insert the content, add images from the web search, and you have a professional lesson presentation in 20 minutes instead of 60.

Tips

  • Request slides with large fonts explicitly: "make sure all text would be readable from the back of a classroom"
  • Use Gemini to generate differentiated versions: "make a simplified version of slide 3's reading text for A1 beginners" for your multi-level class
  • Save your completed presentations to a shared folder — other ESL teachers can reuse and adapt them, reducing everyone's prep time

Tool interfaces change — if a button has moved, look for similar AI/magic/smart options in the same menu area.