AI-Powered Tools from the NGSL Project
The NGSL Project is developing a small collection of free AI-powered tools based on principles from corpus vocabulary research, language learning, and extensive reading. Created by Dr. Charles Browne, they are an attempt to use the strengths of generative AI in practical ways—to help control vocabulary more carefully, create more accessible reading materials, and give learners more meaningful opportunities to use English.
NGSL Graded Story Creator
Created by Dr. Charles Browne | Released August 1, 2025
The NGSL Graded Story Creator generates original stories and other texts at seven cumulative NGSL vocabulary levels, from the first 400 words through the complete 2,800-word NGSL. It is designed for teachers and learners who want to control lexical difficulty systematically while still producing natural, interesting content. The tool can also simplify texts, generate EFL activities, and adapt content to specified NGSL and CEFR levels.
To use it, choose an NGSL level, describe the topic or text you want, and specify a length if desired. For best results, use the NGSL Placement Test to identify an appropriate starting level and check generated texts with the NGSL Profiler. The tool aims for approximately 95–98% coverage at the selected level and can accommodate a small number of useful higher-level words for pre-teaching when appropriate.
NGSL Vocabulary Pushed Output Coach
Created by Dr. Charles Browne | Released June 15, 2026
The NGSL Vocabulary Pushed Output Coach helps learners move beyond simply recognizing vocabulary to actively using it in meaningful communication. Inspired by Merrill Swain’s work on pushed output, the tool provides practice with all 2,800 NGSL words in five-word frequency blocks through simulated social-media-style written chat and spoken interaction. Learners repeatedly retrieve and use target words rather than simply studying definitions or answering receptive vocabulary questions.
Learners can begin at any point in the NGSL by entering a word rank such as NGSL 1100 or NGSL 1850, and the Coach automatically selects the next five target words and guides them through practice. The NGSL Placement Test can help identify an appropriate starting point, and learners can then work progressively through the list as their productive vocabulary develops.
NDL Kids Story Creator
Created by Dr. Charles Browne | Released August 8, 2026
The NDL Kids Story Creator for Parents & Teachers creates short, engaging stories for children learning English using the New Dolch List (NDL) developed by Browne & Culligan. The NDL is one of the most carefully researched modern vocabulary lists developed specifically for children’s English. The Story Creator divides its 874 words into five cumulative levels and combines tight vocabulary control with repetition, predictable patterns, humor, and other principles drawn from successful children’s storytelling.
Parents and teachers simply choose a level and tell the tool what the child would like to hear about—for example, “Write a Level 3 story about a boy and his dog having an adventure at the beach.” Stories target approximately 98% known vocabulary. When an important story-specific word falls outside the selected level, the tool can pre-teach up to three Keywords with simple definitions and recycle them naturally throughout the story.
A note about AI-generated materials: These tools are designed to provide much tighter lexical control than general-purpose AI systems, but all AI-generated materials should still be reviewed before classroom or instructional use.
These free tools are also the public-facing side of a larger body of work. Through CBC Consulting, Dr. Browne builds custom AI content pipelines for publishers and educational organizations — including large-scale graded reader series with validated vocabulary control. For publisher partnerships, institutional implementation, curriculum design support, professional development, or workshops using the NGSL framework and these AI tools, please contact Dr. Charles Browne at CBC Consulting via email or the link below.