Teacher's guide: building your first course
When your team is ready to add content, you will work top-down: create a course, add units, add lessons to each unit, then fill every lesson with teaching blocks and quiz questions. This section walks you through each click in Admin and tells you exactly what to add depending on the lesson or quiz type you chose.
Before you start
- Sign in with a teacher or admin account (students cannot use this dashboard).
- Know your target level (e.g. A1) and language (set when the course is created).
- Plan one unit at a time: title, unit type (core / practice / story / checkpoint), then its lessons in order.
- Keep lessons as drafts until blocks and at least one question are ready, then publish the lesson and finally the course.
Educational lesson vs quiz-heavy lesson
In Fluentian, every lesson has two parts in the editor — they are not separate items in the menu:
Content blocks (teaching)
What learners read, hear, or study first. Use Rich Text for explanations, Grammar Note for rules, Sentence Pair for examples, AI Hint for optional help. Drag blocks to reorder them.
Lesson editor → Content Blocks tab → Add Block
Quiz questions (practice)
What learners answer to finish the lesson and earn XP. Add them after (or alongside) teaching content. A lesson can be mostly teaching with a short quiz, or mostly quiz (exam drill) with only a brief intro block.
Lesson editor → Quiz Questions tab → Add Question
If learners need to learn something new, add blocks first, then questions that test only what you taught. If the lesson type is Exam Drill or a checkpoint review, you may use fewer blocks and more questions.
Step-by-step: course → unit → lesson → blocks → quiz
Create a course
Where: Sidebar → Courses → New Course (or ask an admin to create one for your language/level).
- Set course code (e.g. FR_BEGINNER_A1A2), target language, and level range (level min → level max).
- Save the course. It starts unpublished — learners will not see it until you publish from the course page.
Tip: One course = one learning path (e.g. French beginners). Do not mix unrelated levels in one course.
Add units (chapters)
Where: Open the course → Curriculum Units → Add Unit.
- Enter unit number (1, 2, 3…), title learners will recognize, and unit type: Core (new material), Practice (review), Story (narrative), or Checkpoint (test gate).
- Save. Units appear in order by unit number.
Tip: End each major chapter with a Checkpoint unit before starting harder topics.
Add a lesson to a unit
Where: Inside the unit accordion → Add Lesson to Unit X.
- Fill in lesson title, lesson type (see playbooks below), estimated minutes, XP reward, and sequence number (order within the unit).
- Click Create Lesson — you are taken to the lesson editor automatically.
Tip: Sequence 1 is the first lesson learners unlock in that unit. Match numbers to your curriculum plan.
Add content blocks (teaching)
Where: Lesson editor → Content Blocks tab → Add Block.
- Choose block type: Rich Text, Grammar Note, Sentence Pair, or AI Hint.
- Fill in the fields. Turn on Read with TTS if learners should hear text without uploading audio.
- Drag the handle on the left to reorder blocks. Delete with the trash icon if needed.
Tip: Start with one Rich Text block that says what the lesson is about, then add specialized blocks.
Add quiz questions
Where: Lesson editor → Quiz Questions tab → Add Question.
- Pick question type, write the prompt, add options (for multiple choice), and set the correct answer.
- Save each question. Order is controlled by sequence number when editing.
Tip: For multiple choice, the correct answer must be exactly one of the options you listed.
Save lesson settings & publish
Where: Left sidebar on the lesson editor → Lesson Info + Status.
- Click Save Changes after editing title, type, time, XP, or sequence.
- Turn Published ON only when blocks and questions are complete and proofread.
- On the course page, publish the whole course when enough units are ready.
Tip: Draft lesson + published course = learners still do not see that lesson. Both lesson and course matter.
How to add each content block type
In the lesson editor, open Content Blocks → Add Block.
Rich Text
Main text area + optional Read with TTS toggle.
Introductions, instructions, dialogue scripts written as prose, reading passages.
- Add Block → Rich Text.
- Write the content learners should read.
- Enable TTS if the mobile app should read it aloud (no audio file needed).
Grammar Note
Rule (textarea), Example in target language, optional TTS on the example.
One clear grammar rule with a model sentence.
- Add Block → Grammar Note.
- Rule: short explanation (e.g. "Use Bonjour until evening…").
- Example: one sentence in French (or your target language).
Sentence Pair
French (target) + Translation (base language), optional TTS on French.
Vocabulary lines, mini examples, bilingual comparisons.
- Add Block → Sentence Pair.
- Enter target language on the left, translation on the right.
- Add several pairs in separate blocks for word lists.
AI Hint
Hint text only.
Optional nudge when learners are stuck on a quiz (if AI features are on).
- Add Block → AI Hint.
- Write a hint that guides without giving the full answer (e.g. "Think formal vs informal").
If you want this kind of lesson, do this…
Choose the lesson type in the left sidebar when creating or editing a lesson. Then follow the playbook for blocks (teaching) and questions (quiz).
If you want this kind of quiz question, do this…
Open Quiz Questions → Add Question. Types marked
Publishing checklist (before learners see the lesson)
- Lesson has a clear title and the correct lesson type selected.
- At least one content block explains or teaches the topic.
- At least one quiz question tests the lesson objective.
- Sequence number places the lesson in the right order in the unit.
- Estimated minutes and XP are reasonable (learners see these on the app).
- Lesson Published toggle is ON.
- Parent course is published when you want learners to access the path.
- Proofread prompts and correct answers (especially MCQ — typo in an option breaks the key).
Teacher FAQ
Ready to build?
Start with Courses, add a unit, then add your first lesson and open the editor.
How learning is organized
Fluentian structures language learning like a book with chapters, pages, and exercises. Here is how the pieces fit together.
Course
A full learning program for one language and level range (for example, French from A1 to A2). Learners enroll in a course.
Unit
A chapter on the learning path — such as “Introduction & Greetings.” Units group related lessons and can be core teaching, practice, story, or a checkpoint.
Lesson
One focused activity: vocabulary, a dialogue, grammar, speaking practice, and so on. Each lesson has a type, estimated time, and XP reward.
Content blocks
The teaching material inside the lesson: explanations, word lists, sentence pairs, grammar notes, or AI hints. Learners read or listen before the quiz.
Questions (quiz)
Short exercises at the end (or throughout) that check understanding. Wrong answers may cost hearts on the mobile app; completing the lesson earns XP.
Real-world picture
Course: French Beginner (A1–A2) → Unit: Introduction & Greetings → Lesson: Bonjour! — Basic Greetings (dialogue) → Blocks: explanation + vocabulary for Bonjour, Salut → Quiz: "Which word means Hello?" (multiple choice)
Proficiency levels (A0–C2)
Courses are tagged with a minimum and maximum level so learners and teachers know who the material is for. These follow the Common European Framework (CEFR).
A0Pre-beginner
Absolute starter. Basic sounds, survival phrases, and orientation to the language.
A1Beginner
Simple everyday topics: greetings, numbers, immediate needs.
A2Elementary
Routine tasks, shopping, family, and simple past/future ideas.
B1Intermediate
Travel, work, and opinions on familiar subjects.
B2Upper intermediate
Clear argument, technical discussions, and more complex grammar.
C1Advanced
Fluent, flexible use for academic or professional contexts.
C2Mastery
Near-native precision; nuance, idioms, and subtle meaning.
Unit types on the learning path
Each unit is a chapter. The unit type tells learners and authors what role that chapter plays — teaching, practicing, storytelling, or checking progress.
Core unit
Main teaching path. New grammar, vocabulary, and skills are introduced here in sequence. Most lessons live in core units.
Example
Unit 1: Introduction & Greetings — Bonjour, introductions, basic responses.
Practice unit
Extra repetition and mixed skills without heavy new theory. Good for consolidating what was just taught.
Example
Unit 4: Daily Conversations — role-plays and drills using earlier vocabulary.
Story unit
Narrative or themed content that ties language together in context (a trip, a café scene, a workplace story).
Example
A short story where a character orders food, using only vocabulary from previous units.
Checkpoint unit
A review gate before moving on. Often mixes question types and may feel like a mini-exam. Learners should pass checkpoints to show readiness.
Example
Unit 1 Checkpoint — mixed quiz on greetings, names, and polite forms from Units 1–4.
Lesson types
When you create a lesson, you choose a type that sets expectations for content and quizzes. Pick the type that matches what the learner will actually do.
Content inside a lesson
Blocks are the teaching pages inside a lesson — what learners read, hear, or reveal before the quiz. In Admin, you add and reorder them in the lesson editor.
Rich text
General explanation or instructions with formatting.
“In this lesson you will learn basic French greetings used in everyday conversations.”
Grammar note
Highlighted rule or tip, often in a callout style.
“Use Bonjour until evening; after that, Bonsoir is more natural.”
Sentence pair
Side-by-side target language and translation (or base language).
“Bonjour → Hello / Good day”
AI hint
Optional smart hint learners can reveal when stuck (when AI features are enabled).
“Think about formal situations — which pronoun would you use with a stranger?”
Explanation (import / seed)
Plain intro text used in bulk imports and sample content.
“Master French numbers 1–10. These are essential for telling time, prices, and quantities.”
Vocabulary block (import / seed)
Word, meaning, and optional audio URL — common in seeded French content.
“Bonjour — Hello / Good day — [audio]”
Quiz & question types
Questions are the exercises at the end of (or within) a lesson. Each question has a type that controls how the learner answers and how answers are graded.
What learners see
Authors work in Admin; learners study in the Fluentian mobile app. This section connects your content choices to their experience.
Learning path
On the Fluentian mobile app, learners see units as a path. Lessons unlock in order within a unit once the previous lesson is completed.
Lesson flow
They open a lesson, read or listen to blocks, then take the quiz. Multiple-choice is the most common format today; other types are supported in the platform and roll out on mobile over time.
Hearts
Wrong quiz answers can reduce hearts (lives). When hearts run out, learners may need to wait or practice before continuing — this encourages careful learning rather than guessing.
XP and streaks
Each lesson awards XP (experience points) set by you in Admin. Daily practice builds streaks and appears on the learner profile and dashboard stats.
Progress & checkpoints
Completed lessons are saved to the server. Checkpoint units help confirm learners are ready for the next chapter before harder content.
Publishing
Only published lessons appear to learners. Draft lessons are visible in Admin for editing but hidden on the app until you turn publishing on.
Building courses in Admin
A practical workflow for teachers and content leads using this dashboard.
- 1
Create a course
Set target language and level range (e.g. A1–A2). Publish the course when the first units are ready.
- 2
Add units
Choose unit type (core, practice, story, checkpoint) and order them with unit numbers. Give clear titles learners will recognize.
- 3
Add lessons
Pick a lesson type, sequence number, estimated minutes, and XP. Match the lesson type to your goal (don't label vocabulary lesson as speaking unless it includes speaking tasks).
- 4
Build content blocks
Add rich text, grammar notes, sentence pairs, or AI hints. Order blocks top to bottom — learners see them in that sequence.
- 5
Add quiz questions
Attach questions that test what the blocks taught. Use a mix of types in checkpoints; use simpler types (MCQ, fill blank) in early units.
- 6
Bulk import (optional)
Courses → Import lets you upload a CSV with courses, units, lessons, blocks, and questions. Download the template from that page for the exact column format.
Requires teacher or admin access after sign-in.
Who can do what
Admin accounts have different permissions. Students learn on mobile and cannot access this site.
Super admin / Admin
Full access: users, analytics, courses, lessons, opportunities, notifications.
Teacher
Create and edit courses, units, lessons, blocks, and questions. No user management.
Moderator
Students, opportunities board, and notifications — community features, not curriculum editing.
Student
Uses the mobile learning app only. Student accounts cannot sign in to this Admin dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to build or edit content?
Sign in to open Courses and Lessons, or return to your dashboard.